Go Seokjun, CEO of AH Entertainment.
Even for Go Seokjun, who never easily revealed his inner thoughts to anyone, there was a worry weighing on his mind recently.
As Go Seokjun recalled this worry, he reflected.
“If this continues, I might soon be stripped of the company shares and kicked out.”
It was a secret known only to a handful of key personnel at AH Entertainment, but in truth, Go Seokjun was the illegitimate son of the conglomerate that shone as the third largest business in the Republic of Korea.
Up until he became an adult, even Go Seokjun himself did not know this fact.
It was only natural. In his childhood, Go Seokjun had grown up under a frail, ailing single mother, barely scraping by, and suffered bullying from classmates for ‘smelling’ and being weak.
The reason Go Seokjun gave up on college entrance exams and drifted through odd part-time jobs was all because of this.
Of course, Go Seokjun had dreams as well.
It was to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the dazzling celebrities shining on TV.
Those very entertainers who were the only joy to his sickly mother.
But unfortunately, Go Seokjun neither had the looks to aspire to be a celebrity, nor the singing or dancing talent.
He only had his body to rely on, so he worked hard at part-time jobs, and whenever he had time, he sent his resume to entertainment agencies.
He was constantly rejected due to his high school diploma, but he never gave up.
He hoped that one day, he could achieve his dream.
“That’s when I met my father—at my mother’s funeral.”
His mother passed away not long after he was discharged from the military, her illness finally taking her.
He had always prepared for it, but the pain of losing his only family did not shrink no matter how much he steeled himself.
The grief made it hard to even stand.
And the father he met at that time was different from the chaebols he had seen in dramas or movies.
He was cold and sharp, but not entirely without humanity.
[Someday, when you inherit the family fortune, I promised your mother I would look after you both. Only one step remains for me to keep that promise….]
[My mother never once told me you were alive. She never even spoke your name.]
[I suppose so. She thought I wouldn’t be able to keep my promise. She was a woman who learned to endure pain.]
[……I’m confused. Honestly, I find it hard to accept you as my father.]
[It’s too late for me to act like your father now. And I know that won’t erase the resentment. Just live as part of the family. And someday, seize the name for yourself. That’s all I ask.]
And so, Go Seokjun moved between various affiliates of the family business every five years, taking on different positions.
Luckily, his inability to attend college was only for lack of money—Go Seokjun was sharp and performed his duties with outstanding capability.
No matter what company he was placed in, he always produced remarkable results. That was the proof.
Then, when he turned forty, his father gave him a new mission.
[Even after seeing your excellent results firsthand, there are still fools who call you an illegitimate child and scorn you.]
[Because I am an illegitimate child.]
[There’s something I want you to do to suppress internal public opinion.]
[What is it?]
[I’ll give you minimal investment. Start a business on your own. Any business is fine.]
[Any business?]
[Yes. Any business.]
Just one step away from being officially named successor.
After much deliberation, Go Seokjun chose his current AH Entertainment.
It was one of the very few businesses untouched by the family.
More than anything, it was the work he truly wanted to do.
And so, unlike his previous posts at other affiliates, Go Seokjun poured his heart into running AH Entertainment.
Thanks to that, little by little, word of his existence spread, but now, AH Entertainment faced a fatal problem.
It was the fact that there wasn’t a single artist worthy of being called the company’s face.
“Continuing to run the company without a star will only keep us in the red. We need a turning point.”
Currently, Go Seokjun was running AH Entertainment and recording losses every year.
That was the nature of the entertainment business.
After a long investment, you would finally see one result, and with that one success, cover all the deficits.
Such was the fate of the entertainment industry.
The problem was, the time to reap the fruits was upon them, but none of the artists under contract with AH Entertainment were hitting it big.
Only new contracts with rookie artists demanding further investment kept happening.
“At this rate, the only artists from our agency with potential for growth are Im Geon-won, Han Ji-hee, and Kang Tae-ha.”
It was clearly a dire situation.
The fact that Tae-ha, who had yet to successfully complete even a single work, was included among the artists with potential said it all.
“Perhaps, to raise operating profit, we might have to let go of some rookie artists and staff.”
Go Seokjun gave a bitter laugh as he considered this.
At that moment, news came from Im Chan-hyung that Tae-ha wanted a drama writer contract.
Go Seokjun received the Script Tae-ha had written from Im Chan-hyung and felt a throbbing pain in his head.
“I thought he at least had potential for growth, but… maybe it would be best to let Kang Tae-ha go first. Along with that Manager who failed to properly look after the Artist.”
So, as Go Seokjun was hardening his heart to dismiss both Tae-ha and Im Chan-hyung—
His eyes happened to fall on the neatly bound Script, .
“Is there really any need to read it?”
He hesitated for a moment, but then slowly reached out for the Script.
This happened the day before the meeting with Tae-ha.
***
The atmosphere at Go CEO’s office, where they arrived together with Im Chan-hyung, was heavier than expected.
Anyone would think they were about to hear bad news.
That’s why Tae-ha braced himself.
“I might not get permission for this.”
Im Chan-hyung seemed to be thinking the same thing, watching Go CEO’s expression nervously.
However, Go CEO remained silent, adding further weight to the heavy mood.
Tae-ha thought he might suffocate at this rate.
Finally, Go CEO broke the silence and spoke.
“To be honest, I’ll speak plainly. That’s all I know how to do.”
“After hearing Actor Kang’s request, I seriously considered terminating the contract. Since the end of last year, our agency has been unable to endlessly invest in rookie artists. On top of that, I even considered processing Manager Im’s resignation as responsibility for this incident.”
“Ah…”
Tae-ha realized just how dire the situation was.
Of course, he wasn’t afraid of breaking his contract with AH Entertainment.
Tae-ha knew his own abilities.
That’s why he was confident that even without AH Entertainment, he could succeed as an actor.
Even the latest project he participated in, , had a very high chance of success.
And even if not as an actor, Tae-ha could continue as a drama writer.
He had already achieved considerable success in his previous life, so he felt no fear.
Moreover, he had recently received recognition from Salamander Studio.
So Go CEO’s talk of contract termination didn’t scare him at all.
However, if Im Chan-hyung also had to be dismissed, that was a different story.
Im Chan-hyung surely didn’t expect to be let go so suddenly and without preparation.
Above all, Tae-ha worried that this could wound Im Chan-hyung, just as it had the former owner of this body.
“If the contract is terminated here and Im Chan-hyung is forced to resign… I’ll have to take responsibility for him to the end.”
As Tae-ha steeled his resolve—
“I apologize.”
Unexpectedly, an apology spilled from Go CEO’s lips.
While Tae-ha and Im Chan-hyung were too stunned to grasp the situation, Go CEO continued.
“It was my rash decision to consider terminating your contract and processing Manager Im’s resignation. After reading , the Script written by Actor Kang, I realized that for certain.”
“…You read ?”
“Yes. It’s truly a remarkable work. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt my heart race just from reading a Script. Though I don’t have an exceptional eye for such things, I’m confident in the success of . It is truly an outstanding piece.”
It was a stunning turn of events.
So much so that Tae-ha was left speechless for a while.
Only after some time did he manage to speak again.
“So, does that mean I’m allowed to work as a drama writer?”
“Of course. In fact, it would be wrong to stop someone from writing such a Script. Once again, I’m sorry.”
Go Seokjun gave his firm approval and apologized once more.
But Tae-ha held no grudge against Go Seokjun.
Rather, he appreciated the honesty and the fact that Go Seokjun had even apologized.
He could feel how much Go CEO truly enjoyed .
Im Chan-hyung, too, seemed relieved things had worked out, letting out a quiet sigh.
Go CEO spoke, looking at Im Chan-hyung.
“And I should thank you, Manager Im. If you hadn’t had the courage, I would have never realized Actor Kang’s talent.”
“Ah, you flatter me.”
“No, I’ll make sure this is reflected in your incentive. Thank you, Manager Im.”
He even made sure not to forget his gratitude. Go CEO’s actions deserved praise.
If he hadn’t spoken honestly, Manager Im wouldn’t have received this incentive.
“Balancing acting and writing won’t be easy, but I look forward to your future activities. And don’t hesitate to ask for anything you need through Manager Im.”
And so, with Go CEO’s words, the meeting ended on a satisfying note.
The next day, Tae-ha went to Salamander Studio and signed the writer’s contract.
“I look forward to working with you, Writer-nim.”
Han Daepyo, who had been waiting nervously for Tae-ha’s signature, reached out his hand.
As Tae-ha grasped his hand, he replied,
“I look forward to working with you as well.”
It was the moment the path of a full-fledged writer opened.
A new beginning.
***
But sometime later, Tae-ha thought,
“I knew casting wouldn’t be easy, but I didn’t expect Han Daepyo to come out like this. Is this really okay?”
A new door had opened.
And that always meant a new crisis.
Thus, Tae-ha was facing yet another challenge.