Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

The next day, I arrived at work and greeted everyone cheerfully. "Good morning~"

I was brimming with energy this morning after eating three servings of Hanwoo beef last night.

Do Ran-Hee glared at me despite my bright demeanor. Even though I had told her over dinner that she would be receiving tens of millions of won as a year-end bonus, she insisted that was separate from the present situation.

Now that we had secured the concert venue, it was time to coordinate with Singer Division 2.

A short while later, Lee Dong-Min arrived with Han Myung-Ho from Singer Division 2.

When I informed them that the venue rental was finalized, Lee Dong-Min said, "Good work. We're announcing Sae-Ri's solo debut at the concert, right?"

"Yes. We'll officially declare her solo debut while unveiling the tracks from the Hwaranjeon original soundtrack album."

"The PR Division will have their hands full."

Kim Mi-Hye shrugged her shoulders. "Just make sure I get a big bonus and I'll work like an ox."

At that moment, Lee Dong-Min asked, "But do you think Sae-Ri can handle the pressure of her solo debut?"

"There shouldn't be any issues with Producer Kim Ae-Ran from Ye-Eum Planning. By the way, how's the acquisition of Ye-Eum Planning progressing?"

Ye-Eum Planning was the music-focused entertainment company Sae-Ri joined after Cherry Blossom disbanded in my past life.

Lee Dong-Min explained, "With only two singers and just President Ahn Ye-Eum and Producer Kim Ae-Ran as employees, there shouldn't be any problems with the acquisition. We're meeting today to finalize the terms and sign the contract. You'll come along, too."

After Cherry Blossom broke up and Sae-Ri left Hoop Entertainment in my past life, she joined Ye-Eum Planning and revived her career. The one who rebuilt Sae-Ri's shattered mental state and led her to success was none other than Kim Ae-Ran.

The twenty-eight-year-old Kim Ae-Ran had once been on the brink of debuting as an idol but had her dream crushed due to panic disorder just a month before her debut. Although her idol debut failed, Ahn Ye-Eum didn't abandon her and helped her recover. Eventually, she rose again as a songwriter and producer.

Because of this, Kim Ae-Ran paid more attention to the mental well-being of her artists than most other producers. That was why I told Kang Gam-Chan that Kim Ae-Ran was essential for stabilizing Sae-Ri's solo activities.

Moreover, Ahn Ye-Eum wasn't just a warm-hearted person who refused to give up on a broken Kim Ae-Ran. She was also a capable songwriter and producer with experience fostering global idols.

Given that Hoop Entertainment would soon need to undertake a global idol project when Ling Ling arrived in Korea, Ahn Ye-Eum's experience was invaluable.

As a result, Kang Gam-Chan ordered the acquisition of Ye-Eum Planning.

I replied, "Understood. I'll join you later."

At that moment, my phone placed on the table vibrated.

[Notification: November 17, 2020. A new scheduled event has been added for 'Kim Sae-Ri.']

Seeing an update related to Sae-Ri, I quickly checked the planner.

[Everyday V11]

[Date: November 17, 2020]

-04:00 p.m. [NEW: Kim Sae-Ri] Kim Sae-Ri's condition faltered. Missed recording for KBC 'Star Talk Show.'

I frowned. 'Sae-Ri will miss her schedule?'

Alarmed by the message, I immediately asked Han Myung-Ho, "Mr. Han, how was Sae-Ri's condition this morning?"

"She seemed fine and as cheerful as ever. Why? Is something wrong?"

At that moment, I received a call from Lee Ju-Yung.

Normally, I would have waited and called her back after the meeting. However, with the new information from the planner, I excused myself and immediately answered the call. "Hello?"

-Mr. Jung, can you come down to the basement recording studio right away? There's a problem with Sae-Ri.

"A problem?"

-Yes. She went into the original soundtrack recording, but something seems to be wrong. She can talk fine, but she struggles to breathe and her voice shakes as soon as she starts singing…

I felt as if the air had been knocked out of me. The symptoms Lee Ju-Yung described were classic signs of a panic attack.

Of all days, it had to happen when I was trying to bring Kim Ae-Ran on board.

Originally, I planned to have Sae-Ri practice for her solo debut under my and Kim Ae-Ran's supervision. However, as soon as she arrived at the company, she ran into Bang Seon-Woo and went straight to the recording studio.

Nonetheless, what was done was done—there was no point in assigning blame.

Taking a deep breath, I asked Lee Ju-Yung, "When did it start?"

-Just now. We were happily sharing some snacks and laughing together before going into the recording booth, but...

I figured it would be reckless to jump to conclusions without fully understanding the situation. If it was indeed a panic attack, immediate intervention was crucial.

"I'm on my way down now."

I ended the meeting immediately and headed to the basement recording studio with Lee Dong-Min.

***

In the basement studio on the second floor, members of Cherry Blossom and Lee Ju-Yung were gathered outside Room 4.

After briefly greeting the gathered members, I got straight to the point. "Is Sae-Ri's condition still the same?"

"Yes. She was fine this morning and even sang along to an animated song, but now she's like this."

Apparently, Sae-Ri had been happily mimicking the theme song of a children's animation, Princess Ddu-Bi, even dancing to its catchy "Ddu-Ddu-Bi Ddu-Ddu" choreography.

However, her voice trembled like a broken violin now.

I hoped it wasn't the case, but the symptoms pointed to a panic attack. If the condition was severe, she might need to go to the hospital immediately.

"I'll go in and check on her."

"Okay."

I opened the door and stepped inside the studio.

Bang Seon-Woo and Jang Ye-Bin were watching Sae-Ri in the recording booth with worried expressions. Inside the booth, Sae-Ri's forehead glistened with sweat.

At that moment, Bang Seon-Woo pressed the microphone button on the control panel. "Sae-Ri, don't try to sing the whole song. Just sing one line, okay?"

"Okay..." Sae-Ri replied weakly, her voice drained of its usual confidence.

Jang Ye-Bin sitting on the sofa finally noticed me entering. "Oppa, when did you get here?"

"Just now. Sae-Ri's condition is still the same, huh?"

"Yes. She still can't get past the first line."

"Relax your face. If you look worried, Sae-Ri will feel even more anxious."

"Got it."

I felt slightly relieved since Sae-Ri wasn't having a full-blown panic attack, but I couldn't let my guard down yet.

I began recording Sae-Ri's condition on my phone, as capturing her current state on video was essential for consulting an expert later.

Just then, Bang Seon-Woo pressed the microphone button again to address Sae-Ri. "Okay, Sae-Ri. Let's start with some deep breathing. Breathe in... and out..."

Bang Seon-Woo guided her through basic breathing exercises to prevent hyperventilation before signaling the start of the recording. "Let's cue the intro."

Gripping her headset tightly with both hands, Sae-Ri closed her eyes.

Click.

The sound of the play button being pressed echoed, and the original soundtrack 'Firefly Bridge' from Hwaranjeon original soundtrack composed by Bang Seon-Woo began to play.

The song 'Firefly Bridge' depicted a scene where Princess Yu-Hwa discovered an arched bridge illuminated by rows of glowing fireflies after wandering alone at night.

Captivated by the beautiful glow of the fireflies Princess Yu-Hwa instinctively let out a sigh of admiration. However, the Firefly Bridge was actually a connection between the human and goblin worlds.

It was there that Princess Yu-Hwa had a fateful encounter with BiHyugRang, a goblin disguised as a human.

Since the song 'Firefly Bridge' portrayed this dreamy meeting between a human princess and a goblin, it was composed with an ethereal atmosphere to be blended harmoniously with Sae-Ri's voice.

At that moment, Sae-Ri's voice emerged from the studio speakers. The first line of the song was meant to be sung softly and beautifully, but it faltered when Sae-Ri's vocal cords trembled uncontrollably.

『One~~ step~ two~~ steps. Fireflies…』

'This won't work...' I thought.

One line was all it took to see Sae-Ri was unfit to continue. Though Sae-Ri was doing her best, it was clear she couldn't keep singing in her current state.

I immediately stopped recording the video and shouted at Bang Seon-Woo. "Seon-Woo, let's stop it. She can't go on."

Bang Seon-Woo turned his head toward me with beads of sweat dotting his forehead from stress.

"Don't worry and trust me. When Sae-Ri comes out, act as if everything's fine. How will Sae-Ri hold on if the person she relies on starts to waver?"

Only then did Bang Seon-Woo force a brighter expression. "Alright."

Bang Seon-Woo turned back and stopped the playback of 'Firefly Bridge.'

Click.

Speaking through the studio speakers, Bang Seon-Woo said, "Sae-Ri, why don't you take a little break? Yoon-Ho hyung is here."

Sae-Ri's head snapped toward me in an instant. Her forehead glistened with sweat and tears began streaming from her large eyes. "Yoon-Ho oppa... What's wrong with me?"

I smiled. "You're just tired. It happens to everyone. Don't worry and just come out for now."

Though I was burning up inside, I couldn't let it show. If even her talent agent wavered, she would have no one to rely on.

Click.

Sae-Ri opened the door and stepped out. "Oppaaa~"

She ran toward me as if we hadn't seen each other in ten years.

Whump!

Sae-Ri threw herself into my arms. "Oppa... sob... I... something's wrong with me... sob..."

In an instant, my dress shirt was soaked with her tears.

At just sixteen years old, Sae-Ri liked to claim she would take over the world as a cute and sexy girl. But to me, she was still just a kid.

"It's okay, it's okay... Why are you crying?"

Confused by experiencing these symptoms for the first time, Sae-Ri was overwhelmed both physically and emotionally.

I gently patted Sae-Ri on the back and reassured her. "It's fine, Sae-Ri. It's nothing. You're just tired."

Sae-Ri's slender frame trembled as she sobbed for a long while.

***

Once her tears began to subside, I gently held her face in my hands. Her small head fit perfectly in my palms.

I spoke gently to her. "Sae-Ri. I'll help you get better, so don't worry. For now, go home, eat something delicious, and get some rest."

Sae-Ri blinked her large eyes and replied, "But... I have a scheduled event…"

Her words came out slurred because her cheeks were squished.

"The scheduled event can be canceled, so don't worry about those things. That's what talent agents are for."

Sae-Ri nodded her small head repeatedly. "Okay…understood."

As I let go of her face, Yang Eun-Bi, who often bickered with Sae-Ri, approached with a worried expression. Yang Eun-Bi dabbed Sae-Ri's tears with a handkerchief. "Look at this~ Your pretty face is all messed up now."

Though they often teased each other, all of Cherry Blossom's members cherished Sae-Ri as their beloved younger sister.

Yang Eun-Bi's kind and gentle words helped Sae-Ri regain some spirit, prompting her to respond playfully. "Unnie, why are you acting like that? Are you sick or something?"

Yang Eun-Bi wiped away Sae-Ri's tears and forced a smile before replying nonchalantly, "It looks like you're feeling better now. Should we skip resting tonight and head to Mrs. Park Seon-Nyeo for a lesson?"

The startled Sae-Ri frantically waved her hands. "No, no! I... I don't think I'm okay yet."

Yang Eun-Bi feigned an exasperated laugh. "Pfft. Always with the tricks."

At that moment, Woo Yeon-Hee approached and gently helped Sae-Ri to her feet with a warm smile. "Sae-Ri, leave everything to us. Just relax and rest for now."

Eun-Ah also nodded and gave Sae-Ri a tight hug. "Don't you worry. Everything will be fine."

Thanks to the support of the Cherry Blossom members, Sae-Ri's condition was improving rapidly.

Seizing the moment, I signaled to Lee Ju-Yung to take Sae-Ri back to the dorm quickly.

Lee Ju-Yung nodded and rallied the Cherry Blossom members to leave in a much higher tone than usual.

***

After Cherry Blossom left, Lee Dong-Min cautiously spoke. "Yoon-Ho, I know a psychiatrist who could help. Should we set up a consultation? This looks like early-stage panic disorder. Counseling and medication should work quickly."

This was the conventional approach in the entertainment industry—consult a doctor, get a prescription, and start treatment.

This method was effective initially. However, this approach would face backlash years down the line as many entertainers who temporarily relied on medication to treat panic disorder would later suffer from severe depression.

I shook my head. "No, I don't think that's necessary right now unless it's severe."

"Then what's your plan?"

"I think meeting with Ms. Kim Ae-Ran would be the best option for now."

Aware that Kim Ae-Ran had personally experienced and overcome panic disorder as well, Lee Dong-Min thought for a moment before responding. "Alright. Since we're acquiring the company anyway, let's see if she can help. If it doesn't work out, we'll go with counseling."

"Understood, sir."

To get help for Sae-Ri's treatment, we headed straight to Ye-Eum Planning.

***

Ye-Eum Planning located near Gangnam Station Exit 8 was a company with over 20 years of history.

It had once flourished during the peak of the album market but had fallen behind with the decline of physical albums and the rise of massive entertainment companies.

Now, it consisted only of Ahn Ye-Eum, Kim Ae-Ran, and two singers. The current state of the company was a butterfly effect of Cherry Blossom not falling apart in this life.

The building housing Ye-Eum Planning was an old structure without an underground parking lot, so we parked in the ground-level lot.

That's when I saw a man lean against a car chain-smoking near the parking area. "Damn it, why the hell is this bitch Yoo-An taking so long? This is bullshit."

He was about my height, around 180 cm, but his arms and torso were twice as thick. With a steroid-enhanced physique, he was someone I recognized.

His name was Park Hyung-Gu, the boyfriend of Ye-Eum Planning's singer Go Yoo-An. He had briefly worked as a talent agent and was a known thug in my past life. Park Hyung-Gu had even spent time as a gangster but now made a living extorting entertainment companies by exploiting their vulnerabilities.

If we were to acquire Ye-Eum Planning, I had already planned to deal with both Go Yoo-An and Park Hyung-Gu. After all, the pair had been a headache for multiple entertainment companies and would continue to be if left unchecked.

Now seemed like the perfect opportunity to act.

"Fuck. She's taking forever," Park Hyung-Gu cursed before flicking his cigarette away and going inside the building.

Lee Dong-Min stepped out of the car and asked, "Yoon-Ho, who's that big guy?"

"Mr. Lee, let's hurry. If we're going to acquire Ye-Eum Planning, dealing with him will have to come first."

With that, I followed Park Hyung-Gu into the building.

Ristretto's Thoughts

LOL. Ddu-bi is actually the Korean name of Dipsy from Teletubbies

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