The representative office was silent for a moment.
“…?”
Sua’s mind went blank for a second. A classic Sua malfunction.
It was due to the sheer shock that her brain couldn’t handle. The fact that she could choose one was already amazing, yet she’d instantly been given all of them. All told, that made three cars.
But from Kim I-seo’s perspective, it was quite reasonable.
She had been prepared for the worst, to go home empty-handed, so compared to that, this was a steal. In Sua’s case, the maintenance fees and insurance for just six cars would be covered by breathing alone.
Sua tapped the box lightly. She was in a daze.
“So, you’re saying you’re giving me all three cars?”
“Yes. Not a single one is missing.”
“First, it was one car. Later, it turned into three. There’s a huge difference.”
“Oh, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
Sua hadn’t intended to question anything; she just found it fascinating. It was truly an astonishing situation.
This moment didn’t feel real at all anymore.
She had thought that cars would forever be absent from her life. Not only were the prices of vehicles themselves incredible, but honestly, the moment she had to cover insurance and maintenance costs, saving any money would have become impossible.
So, she had believed that she’d forever remain carless.
Could life change so drastically? However, turning this down wasn’t an option. Though Sua was flustered by the situation, she didn’t want to throw away this opportunity.
Yeah, Sua hadn’t done anything wrong to get this.
Already, images were forming in her mind—wide-open highways, pressing the accelerator hard, the roaring engine, and speeding forward endlessly…
“Okay. I should take it. But…”
Sua thought further. She would ask the reason.
“There must’ve been a lot of considerations.”
What kind of judgment had they made about her to reach this conclusion?
It would definitely be useful to know. Someday, when she had to negotiate with someone else, it might serve as valuable reference material.
After thinking this far, Sua unconsciously tilted her head. Was she getting smarter?
Kim I-seo nodded at that moment.
“That’s only natural.”
She stared at Sua intently.
“In the film industry, upfront payment is rare. Providing something to an actor beforehand is exceptionally uncommon.”
“Hmm.”
“An actor is like a plant. You can only estimate their value once they’ve fully grown. Usually, the first settlement happens when you renew a contract or transfer them to another company. It’s a postpayment system.”
“I’ve known that much till now.”
Sua maintained a calm appearance, showing that she understood. Sua knows.
“Why are upfront payments absent in this industry? When you think about it, it’s quite simple. It’s incredibly difficult to set a price upfront. Who will rise? Who will fall?”
Kim I-seo’s voice was clear and calm.
“It’s impossible to predict. Isn’t life like that? You can’t confidently set a price until the right label is attached. That’s why we can’t offer things upfront.”
“That’s correct. Usually, that’s how it is.”
“Certainly, no one offers nothing. Sometimes extraordinary rookies emerge in this industry. But even taking that into consideration, giving a car is unheard of. At most, maybe a few months’ living expenses?”
“Hmm.”
“In this case, if people found out I was offering this level to a rookie, anyone would say I’ve gone crazy. Even those who know about your acting skills would advise against such an investment, saying it’s too risky. After all, the entertainment world is unpredictable.”
Kim I-seo nodded.
“So, Sua, haven’t you noticed something strange yet? You’re an unknown rookie, but how are you getting all this upfront? Enough that it could destabilize Mystic.”
Sua was also curious. How had she managed to become so important?
But Sua was getting sharper (or wiser) in this area. After quickly considering the matter, she found the optimal answer.
“Because I don’t usually talk about things like that myself, right?”
“Right. What does Sua know?”
Kim I-seo interlaced her fingers. She rested her chin on them.
“This means that Mystic doesn’t just see you as an actor.”
So what does Mystic think of me then? As a driver?
Ah, is that what this is about?
Just as Sua thought this, Kim I-seo continued.
“I believe that Sua and I can be a family.”
Sua reflected on her previous assumptions. Kim I-seo’s words were much warmer than she had anticipated.
“Sua fundamentally has excellent acting skills. You have a great eye for selecting scripts. But those alone didn’t get you the lead role in the Special Mobile Unit 808 nor create the driving force behind the short film ‘Sword.’ There’s another reason.”
“Let me hear it.”
“All actors have an aura, and Sua’s aura is particularly special.”
Kim I-seo placed just a bit of emphasis in her voice.
“Sua has a quality that encourages those around her. It inspires them, makes them feel more alive, more inspired. That’s why I’m willing to invest so much and consider you as family.”
After saying this, Kim I-seo extended one hand sideways. Seo Yeon-joo placed a dossier on it.
“Consider the cars a token of Mystic’s sincerity towards Sua. The important story begins now. Tada! This is the contract that Sua mentioned was cute the other day.”
Kim I-seo slid it toward Sua.
“I’ve revised the settlement percentage and the contract term. I believe it’s much better now. Please check it out.”
As soon as Sua looked at the paper, she felt dizzy. All she saw was difficult writing. She closed the contract without looking further.
“No need to read it. I’ll hear it from you, Representative.”
At this, Kim I-seo chuckled.
“Actually, many entertainment companies avoid talking about these things. Everyone’s conditions can’t be the same, can they?”
She gestured with her chin towards Seo Yeon-joo and Kim Sun-il.
“Think about it. One contract is at a 50-50 ratio, another at 60-40, and yet another at 70-30. Naturally, the agency’s atmosphere would become strange, wouldn’t it? But…”
Both Kim Sun-il and Seo Yeon-joo nodded, as if they didn’t care.
“Both Yeon-joo and Sun-il actually agreed with these terms. That’s how we’ve finally decided Sua’s contract terms.”
Sua perked up her ears. What would her terms be?
“The ratio is 80-20. The contract term is for one year. The same as Yeon-joo.”
The same condition as Seo Yeon-joo? Unbelievable.
“That’s all for the explanation. So, what are Sua’s thoughts?”
Sua didn’t respond.
Instead, she signed.
◈◈◈◈◈
Elsewhere, at Lee Yeon-hwa’s hair studio.
This space, usually filled with the sound of scissors cutting, was now strangely quiet. Everyone, including the owner Lee Yeon-hwa, had gathered in a circle for a meeting.
Among them was Seo Jae-woo, the manager, who was confident that Sua’s current state represented her lowest point.
His voice rose.
“Later, her market value will rise so much that we won’t be able to keep her. We must secure her now! You all felt it too when you met her, right? She’s a big star!”
Everyone nodded in unison.
“Her looks were out of the ordinary. She’s a natural model.”
“Actors aren’t actors for nothing. She definitely had an aura that ordinary people lack. She was even a bit intimidating.”
“But even after searching, I couldn’t find much about her.”
Manager Seo Jae-woo nodded.
“Exactly. That’s why now is the chance. She’s going to appear in something big soon. I can’t tell you what, but I’m serious.”
He spoke more seriously.
“To begin with, if you all wanted publicity so desperately, it all gets solved by just holding onto Sua. No complications required.”
“True. Just by filming her getting a haircut like a Vlog, we can use it in various ways.”
“Right. And if she becomes a huge star, this salon could benefit too. Simply put, all your problems can be solved just by securing Sua.”
Yeon-hwa shrugged at that moment.
“She seemed extraordinary, but we can only wait. I’ve already sent a message, though she might not have seen it…”
“Hmm.”
“Still, thanks. Even though this isn’t your job, Jae-woo Oppa, it feels great to have you so involved.”
Yeon-hwa’s words were true.
Seo Jae-woo worked in film distribution. Strictly speaking, this hair salon should have no relevance to him. Yet, his mind had its own calculations.
─A face that could literally “kill with a glance,” they say!
In fact, Seo Jae-woo had already mentioned Sua to a renowned director. The director had only requested that he bring her directly. It was a truly difficult situation on how to bridge the gap between the two…
‘…If I broker the deal well, bringing her to the director will be as smooth as water flowing…’
The director was obsessed with casting someone as “the youngest daughter of a tycoon.” He had even promised a large reward for finding the right actor, akin to offering a bounty. It was a deal already sealed.
The amount of rewards that could come his way from this was unforeseeable. He was already excited. To be seen as competent to the director and as a problem-solving big brother to Yeon-hwa would be impressive.
Once he became a “big brother,” becoming a “father” would only be a matter of time.
Jae-woo took out his phone.
“Yeon-hwa, don’t worry. Your big brother will make one more call right now.”
Jae-woo stepped out of the salon to make the call.
After three rings, the call was picked up.
Perfect timing. The other person answered.
“Ah, hello! Is there something specific?”
Jae-woo made the call away from Yeon-hwa so as not to appear too submissive.
But…
“Huh? Who is this? Isn’t this Sua’s number?”
Immediately, his voice filled with surprise.
“Eh? Oh, it’s Mystic’s representative? Yes?”
Jae-woo blinked wide-eyed like a frog.
“How…you’re coming here right now?”
He repeated it without thinking.
“Why…?”
He couldn’t help but question.
“Swear to goodness… right now?”
