The Breaking Point
Seoul, Late 1990s
The entertainment industry was a kingdom divided — powerful agencies jostled for dominance, each led by ruthless figures who saw talent as assets and people as expendable.
Among them was Jung Minjae, a rising mogul whose charm concealed a merciless will to control.
The Rise of Minjae
Minjae had come from nothing, his early days marked by betrayals and hard lessons.
His ascent was fueled by strategic alliances, blackmail, and whispered secrets.
He built an empire on the backs of young hopefuls, crushing anyone who stood in his way.
The Pact
In a smoke-filled room, Minjae sealed a dark pact with rival agency heads — a silent agreement to divide power and eliminate threats.
This unholy alliance set the stage for decades of corruption, lies, and sacrifice.
A Trainee's Price
Among the countless young talents caught in the web was a promising trainee named Lee Sangmin — cunning and ambitious, but naïve to the full darkness ahead.
Minjae's decisions would shatter Sangmin's innocence and force him into a life of deception.
The Breaking Point
A scandal erupted — orchestrated by Minjae — destroying a rising star and sending shockwaves through the industry.
This event marked the true birth of the corrupt system that would shape the fates of many, including Hyunsoo, Seonwoo, Jiho, and beyond.