Superstar From Age 0

Chapter 611

Ahn Da Ho handed a glass of water to Choi Tae-woo, who was choking.

Choi Tae-woo grabbed the glass with his trembling hand and gulped it down. The cold water seemed to clear his head.

“M-m-me?”

‘…Or not.’

He was startled by his own shaky voice.

“Yes. You, Manager Choi.”

Ahn Da Ho nodded without any hesitation.

Choi Tae-woo’s eyes darted around, from Seo-jun who was smiling, to Ahn Da Ho who was the director. He held the glass tightly with both hands, as if it was a safety belt, and opened his mouth with difficulty.

“But… isn’t Director Ahn Seo-jun’s manager…?”

Ahn Da Ho gave a bitter smile.

“Well, my position is what it is, so I don’t think I can take care of Seo-jun as well as I used to. Until now, it wasn’t a big problem since Seo-jun was in the army, but after he gets discharged, it will be hard for me to handle him alone. He will have overseas shootings that last for months, and even domestic shootings that require him to travel around.”

‘Ah.’

Choi Tae-woo recalled the news he had heard earlier about [Over the Rainbow 2].

He already had such a busy schedule before he was discharged, and there would be more works pouring in afterwards.

Ahn Da Ho, who was managing the actor team and working hard, wouldn’t be able to take care of Seo-jun as attentively as before.

Yeah. He understood why Ahn Da Ho was looking for a new manager for Seo-jun.

‘…But why me?’

Choi Tae-woo put down the glass and fiddled with his hands, then spoke.

“I… I do have some experience, but that was with idols…”

And unknown ones at that.

Choi Tae-woo’s voice trailed off.

“…And I didn’t have any actors to take care of for two years…”

“Oh, that was intentional.”

Choi Tae-woo lifted his head at Ahn Da Ho’s words.

“Intentional…?”

“Kind of a test… or you could call it an experience.”

Ahn Da Ho explained with a smile.

“Do you remember the fields that we suggested you study when we first explained the manager’s job after moving to the new building?”

Choi Tae-woo blinked his eyes and tried to recall.

***

It was two years ago, in September.

It was the first orientation for new managers after Cocoa Entertainment had completely moved to the new building.

They were busy with the plagiarism issue between [Unknown Painter] and [The Painter in the Love Room], but they couldn’t postpone the scheduled event.

The current deputy head of team 1 explained the general manager’s tasks to the new hires, and how they would assign the actors and the teams.

“You all remember sorting out the works that suit each actor in the archive, right?”

As if they could forget.

That was the reason why the actor team was so noisy now.

The managers looked at Choi Tae-woo, who had found the plagiarized script while looking for a suitable script for Seo-jun, and nodded their heads.

“Today, we got the answers from the actors. It would be better if the manager and the actor who work together have similar perspectives, right?”

The managers looked at the papers that the deputy head handed out, and checked who the actors that had similar thoughts to them were.

The managers who had a good eye for works had many actors’ names written on them, and Choi Tae-woo, who liked movies and dramas, smiled contentedly at the fairly many actors’ evaluations that said ‘I really want to try this role’.

But the new managers only had one name written on them, or none at all. The deputy head spoke to the new hires who slumped their shoulders.

“Don’t worry, those who are disappointed. You can send the works again through the team leaders.”

They all lifted their heads and looked at the deputy head.

“You can send the recommended roles as many times as you want. And based on the data you collected, we will observe various things and then decide on the actor assignment. It’s not a good thing for either the actor or the manager if they don’t get along well, since it’s a job that requires you to stick together almost all day.”

Usually, the agency would send the new managers to any vacant spot, regardless of whether they got along or not. Cocoa Entertainment’s singer team also assigned them that way.

Of course, Cocoa Entertainment’s actor team would have to do the same when they had more staff, but until then, they planned to assign the actors according to each individual’s personality.

“Until the official assignment, you will have to follow this actor and that actor around, so think carefully about which actor you can support best.”

They all nodded their heads with excited faces.

It wasn’t exactly giving them the choice, but they were glad that they would consider the manager’s opinion.

“And this.”

The deputy head handed out other papers.

“We’ve collected the fields that you might want to study when you take care of the actors. The company will also support the tuition fees.”

The managers and Choi Tae-woo looked at the papers.

There were various things written on them, from first aid to exercise, taping, massage, self-defense, nutrition, psychology, and more. There were also foreign languages like English.

‘All of this…?’

The managers were shocked, and the deputy head explained with a smile.

“This is like a guidebook that we made, hoping that it would help you when you want to take care of the actors, but don’t know where to start or what would be helpful. Just use it as a reference.”

Whew-

There were sighs of relief from everywhere.

After the orientation, the managers who had become close gathered and chatted.

“Really… I was so scared that they would make us learn all of this.”

“But this taping might be helpful, right? There are cases where they sprain their ankles or wrists while shooting.”

“Well… there’s a medical team, so it should be fine.”

“Looking at the English here, do you think other actors will also try to go to Hollywood?”

“Maybe.”

“Why are psychology and nutrition here?”

“Maybe for the actors’ mental health? Nutrition might be useful for dieting or building up their physique… It might be helpful if you learn them.”

The managers who knew how important psychology and nutrition were for taking care of an idol group in their teens looked at Choi Tae-woo with a doubtful expression, saying ‘Are you really going to learn them?’, and the other half nodded their heads, saying ‘It might be hard to learn everything, but maybe a few…’.

***

“Yes. I remember.”

Choi Tae-woo nodded, and Ahn Da Ho, who had made the guidebook, smiled and said.

“Those who took it seriously and learned them were the candidates for Seo-jun’s new manager. I thought they would pay more attention to the actors if they showed such an active attitude.”

One of those candidates, Choi Tae-woo, widened his eyes.

“Of course, I don’t think the others will pay less attention, but it’s like a visible proof… I thought I would feel more relieved when I entrusted Seo-jun to them if they had something like that.”

He couldn’t read people’s minds, so he had to judge by what he saw.

“And then I sent those candidates to various places to gain experience.”

From auditions of unknown actors to supporting roles of rookie actors, to leading roles of mid-level actors, movies, dramas, CFs, and more. Sometimes he sent them to important places as substitutes for team leaders, and sometimes he made them meet writers and directors. He also asked them to observe the atmosphere of the shooting site and the attitude of the other actors, as he had done in the elevator a while ago.

“As I eliminated one person after another, Manager Choi was the only one left.”

Choi Tae-woo gasped at the unbelievable story.

“You learned the most from the list, and you used it well during the shooting.”

Ahn Da Ho recalled the report on Choi Tae-woo.

He was diligent and passionate, helping the actors with their acting practice, always taking care of their meals and snacks no matter how busy he was, and giving first aid without panicking when an extra got injured. He also had a good eye for the works and a quick sense of the shooting site atmosphere.

‘As the general director, I shouldn’t do this…’

He was too good of a manager to give to another actor.

Ahn Da Ho smiled slightly and said,

“I was going to tell you after Seo-jun was discharged, but you seemed a bit anxious today.”

“Ah…”

That was true.

The other managers all had their own actors, but he was so restless that he came to the office on his day off.

But, he never expected to be assigned to Seo-jun.

‘…Is this a dream?’

He didn’t even know if he had fallen asleep right after dropping off Baek Seung-won at his home last night. Otherwise, this dream-like situation would never happen to him.

Seo-jun entered Choi Tae-woo’s almost fainting sight then.

“Um, but…”

Seo-jun and Ahn Da Ho looked at Choi Tae-woo.

“Are you okay with it, Seo-jun?”

Choi Tae-woo was really happy.

If he ever had a chance, even if it was just for a day, he wanted to help Seo-jun.

“But if I become your manager…”

What about Seo-jun?

How would Seo-jun feel?

At Choi Tae-woo’s words, Seo-jun’s eyes widened. And then he smiled brightly.

***

Seo-jun heard from Ahn Da Ho that Choi Tae-woo would be his manager a few days ago.

He honestly didn’t care who it was.

He didn’t have enough time to check all the managers who joined the company (there were some new ones last year), and he trusted Ahn Da Ho, who would choose more carefully than him.

“Manager Choi Tae-woo?”

“Yeah.”

He didn’t care, but…

He couldn’t help feeling a bit uneasy about the new manager who was already decided.

Ahn Da Ho smiled at Seo-jun, who was only fiddling with the end of the report. Ahn Da Ho felt the same as Seo-jun.

“His English skills are a bit lacking, but he seems like a person who can help you well.”

“…Not as much as you, Da Ho hyung.”

“That’s true.”

Seo-jun laughed at Ahn Da Ho’s agreement. Ahn Da Ho also smiled and continued.

“I’ll also visit the practice room and the shooting site sometimes, so don’t be too bored.”

“Why would I?”

I know my place, even if you don’t.

It might be awkward without Da Ho hyung, not boring.

Seo-jun laughed again.

Yeah. Only the place changed, Da Ho hyung didn’t completely let go of his work.

He felt lighter.

Then he finally read the report.

“Manager Choi, huh… That’s amazing.”

“Yeah. Fate is fate, I guess.”

He never thought he would meet the person who found the plagiarized work again as a manager. Maybe that also counted as a score, he thought.

Flutter.

The report turned over.

“He’s a good person. He seems to know the works well.”

“That’s true. But if you feel something is wrong while working with him, tell me. I’ll assign you another manager.”

He was reluctant to give him away, but it would be counterproductive if he didn’t match with Seo-jun.

Seo-jun blinked at Ahn Da Ho’s cold words.

“I can change?”

“Of course. Even if he looks like a good manager to me, it might be different when you actually work with him. Your judgment is the most important.”

Seo-jun nodded at Ahn Da Ho’s words.

The reliable manager still prioritized Seo-jun’s opinion.

***

‘But Manager Choi also asked for my opinion.’

Ahn Da Ho, who had spoken coldly, seemed to like this question that asked for Seo-jun’s opinion.

Seo-jun smiled brightly.

“I like it. I look forward to working with you.”

“I, I should be the one saying that.”

“Please speak comfortably. I can call you hyung, right?”

‘…Hyung?’

Seo-jun calls me hyung? And speaks comfortably?

He was happy, but he wondered if it was okay. He looked at Ahn Da Ho, but he was only smiling. Choi Tae-woo answered Seo-jun with a trembling voice.

“Y-yes. It’s fine…”

‘Fine? It’s fine?’

He wasn’t sure if it was really fine, so he trailed off. Seo-jun smiled widely and said,

“Let’s get along well. Tae-woo hyung.”

“O-okay…”

‘Hmm.’

Looking at Tae-woo hyung’s awkward tone, it seemed like it would take some time to speak comfortably with each other.