010 Signing Artists and Career Planning

Since I was already here, I might as well get everything done at once. Of course, the other idols on the school anniversary invitation list weren’t worth Yunhui Yin’s special trip; a routine email inquiry would suffice—whether they came or not was their choice.

After all, the anniversary budget was limited, and inviting BTS nearly exhausted it all. He would have to seek sponsorship later; he couldn’t just cover the costs himself.

What Yunhui Yin needed to do now was to sign a sort of "contract of servitude"—to effectively sell himself.

Once again, he arrived at Cheongdam-dong in Gangnam District, standing before a four-story building with a deep brown facade, measuring eight by four units. On the street level, a two-by-four unit, two-story storefront operated a café.

This was the place Yunhui intended to "sell" himself into: Artist Entertainment.

After parking his scooter downstairs, he looked up to see a spot by the second-floor floor-to-ceiling window where Yuseong Jung was smiling and waving at him.

This middle-aged man was surprisingly lively.

Having debuted for years but only recently winning his first Best Actor award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, Yuseong Jung had been elated since last year’s end—and he intended to stay that way, perhaps to a fault.

"Brother Yuseong!"

"Yunhui, come sit. Let me introduce you."

Yunhui went upstairs to the second floor and found two unexpected figures. Yuseong Jung couldn’t hide his smile.

"This is someone I’ve met before—Director Sangjin Jung, of ‘That Day, The Sea.’"

"Director Yin, long time no see."

Sangjin Jung smiled broadly and shook Yunhui’s hand.

He was no unknown; a renowned independent filmmaker who also managed an imported film distribution company.

Most of his works were obscure, but the widely circulated shipwreck documentary "That Day, The Sea" was produced and distributed by him and a group of like-minded friends. Yuseong Jung had contributed the voiceover.

Progress was evident!

"This is Kyungju Hwang, our company’s affairs representative."

Yuseong Jung pointed to a woman in professional attire beside him. Though called a representative, she was effectively an employee. Everyone knew the real owners of Artist Entertainment were the close friends Jeong Jae-sae and Yuseong Jung.

"Hello."

This must be the experienced and reliable manager Yunhui sought.

"Hello, Yunhui."

Kyungju Hwang wasn’t particularly thrilled. There were too many artists she couldn’t manage effectively in the company. Beyond the two bosses, several well-known supporting actors with careers spanning thirty to forty years were signed on.

Even the legendary Seonggi An was currently with the company.

An elder in the house was like a treasure; Artist was truly wealthy.

Kyungju could only manage a handful of less popular actors born in the ’80s and ’90s, and plan careers for newcomers born after ’95, even ’00.

Now, another artist with intimidating resources had arrived. Luckily, the two bosses had informed her in advance about this person’s simple request—to find a place to affiliate with. Otherwise, Kyungju might have quit.

"Let me introduce you—this is my junior, Director Jung Jeong-gun. He just graduated from film school."

Director Jeong patted a young man beside him who looked every bit the artist, with shoulder-length hair—quite typical.

"Hello, Director Jung."

Though uncertain of the current situation, Yunhui maintained a similar warmth.

In the peninsula, only one film school was officially recognized—the Film Arts Academy under the Film Promotion Committee—which had produced notable alumni like Bong Joon-ho.

"Thank you, Yunhui."

Jeong Jeong-gun was a bit overwhelmed.

As a director, he was as much a newcomer as Yunhui was an aspiring actor. He had only assisted his senior and lacked experience in directing a full-length feature, and wasn’t much older than Yunhui.

"Please, have a seat. No need to stand."

Yunhui smiled kindly, radiating sunlight. The long-haired Director Jeong’s eyes nearly went wide.

Hmm?

What was this about?

"Yunhui, I want to ask—you really intend to become an actor?"

Getting to the point, senior Yuseong Jung started probing, and Yunhui, unreserved, called him “brother”:

"Yes, Brother Yuseong, don’t worry I’m just playing around. Otherwise, I wouldn’t bother signing with an agency."

"We watched your performance tapes with several seniors. Quite impressive! I’m curious—does the Yonsei Drama Art Society always hide such talent?"

Yuseong Jung used an idiom to express his surprise.

In the arts, Yonsei University only offered vocal, orchestral, and church music departments—no fine arts, let alone film or acting.

Yet many film industry figures came from Yonsei, crossing disciplines to excel. Directors like Bong Joon-ho and Bae Chang-ho studied there; actors such as Ahn Nae-sang and Woo Hyun, and even idols like Park Jin-young—if idols counted.

The "Yonsei Drama Art Society" Jung mentioned was just an amateur student club.

It was called “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” because it had produced a young Blue Dragon Best Actress.

Though the Blue Dragon’s prestige had waned, an award was still an award. Before it ceased, the Blue Dragon Awards were the Blue Dragon Awards.

Yuseong Jung knew that actress; she had just starred in a new film with Jeong Jae-sae and Hwang Jung-min last year.

"I’m very interested, so I’m willing to spend time learning and exploring."

Yunhui spoke earnestly; he wasn’t just acting on impulse.

Well, actually, he was.

With all his close relatives gone and no one to control him, Yunhui’s life credo was freedom above all else; naturally, he followed his desires. The entertainment world was dazzling; even he couldn’t resist its allure.

The glittering world could blind one’s judgment, and reckless indulgence could ruin youth.

You could tell from Yunhui’s fondness for roaming around on a BMW S1000RR that he wasn’t one to stay put.

As for the daunting inheritance tax loan, Yunhui could easily repay it over time.

"Alright!"

Sensing Yunhui’s earnestness, Yuseong Jung was pleased and quickly said:

"Your brother Jae-sae is filming outside and can’t come back. I’ve video-called him and talked with Director Jung here."

The independent filmmaker, Sangjin Jung, smiled appropriately, and the young director Jeong Jeong-gun hadn’t taken his eyes off Yunhui since.

Terrifying…

"We unanimously agree that it’s great you have your own resources, but for your debut, we hope it’s a film, not a TV drama."

Yuseong Jung was generous, offering an unrefusable proposal.

"So, Director Jeong..."

Yunhui tossed the question to the young director who was still staring at him, silently hoping it wasn’t some queer-themed film; he’d bolt on the spot if it was.

"Oh, I brought the script. Yunhui, why don’t you take a look? It’s about youth, crime, sports, and coming of age."

Hearing those keywords, Yunhui felt half relieved—not a queer film. He respected different orientations but didn’t understand them.

The script’s cover bore the title Not Out—a baseball term.

"Yunhui, I really believe in my junior’s talent, but you know, us independent filmmakers sometimes can’t even afford a hot meal."

At this, the well-known independent filmmaker Director Jung spoke, and Yunhui immediately grasped the implication.

There’s no free lunch. Clearly, obtaining this independent film opportunity required investment—possibly in other projects too.

What a problem!

Money could solve all that.

Yuseong Jung smiled warmly but said nothing. Yunhui quickly spoke:

"How can we let artists go hungry? Director Jung, is there any way I can help?

Coincidentally, the Songdo Memorial Foundation is planning to invest in cultural and artistic projects to support young artists through their career beginnings."

"Hahaha, then thanks, Director Yin."

"This is a vision we all share."

Yunhui echoed their words.

Had the Songdo Memorial Foundation ever funded cultural or artistic projects before? How would its owner not know? The foundation had always centered on Songdo Hospital’s charitable activities.

But it didn’t matter. From now on, it would.