Digital-ro, Guro-gu, Seoul.
My second project's first studio.
"Hmm, I didn't think I'd be able to pay off the debt all at once like this."
"I keep my promises perfectly."
Clack-clack, clack-clack-clack—
I was tapping away at my laptop in the building I had visited once before.
"Whatcha doin' now?"
"Shoulder-bro, Bareum Entertainment paid off all their debt thanks to me."
"...So?"
"Then aren't I a customer?"
"Hmm, probably?"
"I'll just be here for two hours."
"..."
I almost asked him to make me a cup of coffee.
Clack-clack, clack-clack-clack—
The high of the system, a feeling I hadn't had in a long time.
While typing, I felt as comfortable as if I had returned to my hometown.
'Kang Jun's acting is a masterpiece.'
His line delivery was as natural as if he were wearing clothes that fit him perfectly.
While showing off the wealth he had accumulated using his regression ability.
He simultaneously shows the loneliness of being forgotten by others.
It took two hours to revise the script I had already written.
Soon after, I finished Part 1 and left the Geumcheon Building.
CEO Kang of Bareum Entertainment was waiting outside.
His gaze was like that of someone looking at their savior.
"How big of a business did you start to have a debt of 300 million won?"
"I was scammed a bit..."
What a thing to be proud of.
"From now on, you won't have loan sharks visiting you."
"Writer-nim, thank you so much!"
I spoke to CEO Kang, who was bowing his head.
"Why are you thanking me?"
"What? W-well, because you paid off the debt..."
"What are you talking about?"
"???"
It seemed CEO Kang was under some kind of misunderstanding; it looked like I needed to correct him.
"The interest rate is the maximum legal rate, so it's 24% per year. Well, compared to the shoulder-bros, it's angelic."
"D-don't tell me you didn't pay it off but..."
I spoke, holding the debt performance agreement I had received from the loan shark in one hand.
"Of course, you have to pay back the money. I'm currently acting as a guarantor with my next project on the line."
"Ah..."
"From today, I am the creditor, and you are the debtor."
"...Are you a devil?"
"What did you just...?"
"Ah, nothing, sir."
Now, Kang Jun is my actor.
Not an actor in my project, but truly my actor.
Although he belongs to Tempest, he is the person who will help my influence within it grow and grow.
"Mr. Kang Cheoljoong, you should also report to the Tempest office starting tomorrow. You have to earn money."
"Pardon?"
"Huh? Didn't you hear from Team Leader Byun? You're also with Tempest now."
"D-do you mean..."
The once-successful CEO of Bareum Entertainment was demoted to a mere manager.
Honestly, if you rack up a debt of 300 million without even gambling, your business acumen is trash.
"You're a better fit as a manager than a CEO."
A few days later, at the Purple Girls' dorm.
"Miryung unni! Didn't you say you were also making a minor appearance in 'Pure-hearted Macho'?"
"Yeah. That's right. The shoot is tomorrow."
"I can't wait to see it. Hehe."
Reimi continued, smiling from ear to ear.
"I don't think I could be any happier than I am these days."
"...Isn't that a little too harsh on Semi?"
Semi had not yet returned to the dorm due to her schedule, even at this late hour.
And that was despite the fact that the variety show she was appearing on was scheduled to air shortly.
"Still... it's better to be busy. Think about our unknown days."
"That's true."
Reimi checked the music charts, which were updating in real-time.
The "Pure-hearted Macho" OST had comfortably settled into the top 5 in just a few days.
It had climbed faster than when Purple Girls had made a full group comeback.
Soon after, Yuna opened her room door and came out to the living room.
"Unni! We got scheduled for 'Yoo Jungyeol's Sketchbook'!"
"What?"
"Manager oppa just posted it in the group chat. Check it."
"Wow..."
They had yet to hit number one on the music charts or music shows.
Perhaps the solo song Yuna sang would be the first to reach the top.
"If the ratings are maintained in next week's broadcast...!"
In fact, in terms of buzz, it was already at the top among all dramas.
As proof of that, Semi was still out handling her schedule even at this late hour.
Beep, beeep, beeep—
At that moment, the sound of the front door was heard, and Semi entered.
"Semi-ya!"
"Ugh."
She came home completely exhausted and flopped onto the sofa.
"A-are you okay?"
"Ugh."
Semi, who let out a sound that was either an answer or a groan, was completely knocked out.
The members playfully pressed on her body, giving her a massage.
Soon, Semi smiled gently and said.
"It's almost time for 'Knowing Neighborhood Hyungnim,' right?"
"Yeah. The one you're on. I guess the CEO let you off your schedule so you could watch the broadcast."
"Not exactly, he postponed it to tomorrow."
"..."
Unlike Tempest, Rainbow Entertainment had packed her schedule to the brim.
A moment later,
the members all gathered together and watched the variety show.
"As expected, Seongho oppa is so cool."
"Personally, I'm for Im Jaejun."
When it was Semi's turn, an MC threw a question.
-It's your first lead role, right? -Yes. -Who are you thinking of the most right now? -The writer. -Huh? -Ah, w-well, it's because my script practice goes best when I'm with the writer...
At that moment, one of the MCs, Lee Soohun, quickly covered for her.
-Actually, I was the host at the press conference, and all the actors are writer-lovers. -What's goin' on? I'm so jealous. What's his name...? -There is one. Writer Kim Jinwoo.
Semi blushed as she remembered the conversation she had during the recording.
"Hmm, the editing is a little strange."
"Right. All the other actors like the writer too."
"I know. Anyone would think Semi has a one-sided crush."
The members each threw in a comment, but Semi was continuously staring at her phone.
"Unread..."
The message she had sent to writer Kim Jinwoo four hours ago still had no read receipt.
It was a message she had sent during the only free moment she had amidst her busy schedule.
［Writer-nim! Please be sure to monitor 'Knowing Neighborhood Hyungnim' today! You must! ㅎㅎ］
The next day,
"Is Pure-hearted Macho's Female Lead Semi's One-Sided Love for the Writer?"
From the morning, countless reporters poured out clickbait articles.
Of course, if you clicked on the article, they prattled on about how it was just a variety show gag.
"Are they crazy?"
Netizens only read the headlines anyway.Half of them probably comment without even reading the content.
-You writer bastard -Kim Jinwoo die -Semi please don't do this ㅠㅠ -ㄴYou fanboys, read the article lol
In truth, I hadn't been able to use my smartphone properly because of the ceaseless messages and calls.
There were many messages of congratulations, encouragement, and invitations for a meal.
But most of them were from people trying to get something out of me or cast someone.
"At least it's been a few days, so it's better than before... huh?"
While checking my messages, I found a message from Semi-ssi.
I guess I haven't been able to pay any attention because of my worries about Bareum Entertainment and the new actors.
"I feel kind of bad."
It's not like she was waiting for my reply, but still, feeling sorry is feeling sorry.
First, I sent a reply with an apology, saying I would watch the rerun of the show.
At that moment, a shadow that crept up next to me made me flinch.
"Oppa, are you on personal chat terms with Semi?"
"Hey, you wanna die? Who told you to look?"
"I didn't look, it was just in my line of sight."
"...Go away."
Tiring—
At that moment, a message came from Manager Jung Saerom.
［Writer-nim, if you have time today, let's meet at the company for a bit］
"Perfect."
I was planning to go to Tempest to meet manager Kang Cheoljoong anyway.
"Oh, a female office worker this time? Is she pretty?"
"You, you..."
"Her profile picture is pretty. Just go for it!"
"..."
Heejung really has it out for me today.
Swish—
Even as she was getting up, my sister's mouth didn't stop moving.
"What is it, what is it? Where are you going?"
"To the company."
"To meet that woman?"
"Yeah."
"Good luck!"
Just before I left through the door, I said to my sister.
"Should I refund your acting academy and buy you a Merona on the way back?"
"...I apologize for messing around."
"Behave."
"Yes, sir! Have a safe trip!"
A moment later,
Tempest Entertainment, Strategic Planning Department.
Manager Jung let out a deep sigh and said to me.
"Casting for this project isn't easy either."
"I think so too."
Kim Hyunji, Kang Jun, and even the role that Yeo Minseo was aiming for before.
Filling out the casting board was not an easy task.
In particular, the director's opinion is as important, if not more, than the writer's.
I thought deeply to myself.
'If possible, let's go with a director who will listen to me well.'
A person who doesn't mind at all if I interfere with casting or directing.
It didn't matter at all if he wasn't a star director like Sung Kihoon.
"Manager Jung. My next project is..."
Tiring—
At that moment, Saerom picked up her smartphone and checked the message.
"Writer-nim, a meeting has been set up with Director Cha from SBC."
"Pardon?"
"Director Cha Choongheon. He's famous."
"..."
Why so fast?We could do this a little more slowly.
"...Of all places, SBC."
"I know. That you have a bad history with Writer Lee Minjoo."
"..."
"But I thought it was a precious opportunity."
"That's true. Since it's a major broadcast network."
SBC is Writer Lee Minjoo's main base and primary haunting ground.
Her current project's ratings were on a continuous downward curve.
It was a work I had once thought of as my own child, so I felt strange.
'Peaceful...'
This is why children need to have good parents.Just look at CEO Jung Kitae of Tempest Entertainment here, isn't he the son of the Cheonseong Group's chairman?He was born with a golden spoon, so a capable person like Manager Jung even earns money for him.
"Huh? What's with that look?"
"Ah, it's nothing."
"Are you perhaps worried because of Writer Lee Minjoo?"
"Well, a little..."
"Just trust me. There will be absolutely no interference from Ms. Lee Minjoo in your next project."
"I do trust you, but."
I of course knew of SBC's Director Cha Choongheon.
A producer as famous as Director Sung Kihoon.
And an authoritarian who was even more picky than him.
"Well, I'll have to meet him at least once."
"Writer-nim, if you don't like him, we can find someone else right now..."
"No. You must have had a hard time casting him."
"..."
In the end, it seems I'll have to meet him once and think about it.
In my opinion, Kang Cheoljoong is the type who works well when his back is covered.
He was never a manager, just a CEO type.
When Bareum Entertainment was doing well, actor sales and external affairs also ran smoothly.
But I heard that after the co-CEO who was in charge of the company's overall management passed away, the company faltered greatly.
'The person who died then was...'
Manager Kang's older brother, and actor Kang Jun's father.
Scrape—
As I opened the door and entered, Kang Cheoljoong spoke with a pleased expression.
"Ah, Writer Kim!"
"Yes. I'm a little late."
A small studio that Tempest Entertainment had provided for me.
Kang Cheoljoong fidgeted with an anxious expression.
"From now on, you just need to care for actor Kang Jun. For details, please ask Team Leader Byun."
"Ah... yes."
"How on earth did you maintain the agency until now?"
"I went around to broadcasting stations and production companies every day, handing out profiles, and..."
I remembered the dozens of profiles I had seen at the JTBS station.
And among those carelessly piled-up profiles, the treatment of Bareum Entertainment's was.
"Those get thrown away."
"Pardon?"
"I'm saying I picked up a profile that was thrown away at JTBS."
"Ah..."
I said sharply to Manager Kang, who had a look of despair.
"Do you have any intention of making actor Kang Jun a star?"
"Of course!"
"Then from now on, don't think about anything else, and just focus on actor Kang Jun's acting practice."
"Yes, sir."
Scrape—
At that moment, Kang Jun opened the door and entered with a bitter smile.
"Um... is it okay for me to come in?"
At that moment, the system activated once again.
Ding-dong—
There were many cases where the system just activated out of the blue.
But still, the probability definitely goes up when I encounter the main character.
[Content: The Regressor Who Erases Memories, Part 2] [Genre: Time Loop, Romance, Crime Thriller] [Location: KBC Pasku-cci Cafe, Broadcasting Station Main Branch] [Time Limit: 18 hours] [※ Silver Promotion: 110-110101-1011(Virtual Account, W Bank)] [※ Deposit Amount: 0 won / 100,000,000 won]
"Manager Kang Cheoljoong."
"Yes?"
It seems Manager Kang had gone around to every single broadcasting station.
"Have you ever gone to a broadcasting station with actor Kang Jun?"
"Yes. We often went together to greet people..."
How much ridicule from officials must they have endured while doing that.It must have been easy to look down on them from behind, calling them a failed agency.
"I'm going to the broadcasting station, so please find an acting teacher for actor Kang Jun."
"Yes! Just leave it to me!"
Within the fence of Tempest, wouldn't Manager Kang's skills from his prime come out?
He was, after all, one of the CEOs of the once-successful Bareum Entertainment.
Soon after, I made my way to the KBC broadcasting station.
Until this point, I had never imagined.
That I would meet the director of my life at a broadcasting station I had stopped by thanks to the system.