How a Loan Shark Survives as an Actor Chapter 61

Chapter 061

 

“Hello.”

The man who entered through the door gave a polite bow.

No matter how generously one judged, he looked to be in his mid-twenties at most; in other words, a young man around Yoo Seulho’s age.

‘What’s this?’

I had absolutely no idea what was going on.

When I looked at Team Leader Ahn with a puzzled expression, he smiled and said,

“Go ahead and introduce yourselves. He’s going to be your dedicated manager from now on, Mr. Seulho.”

“My name is Chu Seomok. I look forward to working with you.”

Ah, a manager.

‘Right…’

I’m a celebrity, aren’t I?

Only then did I understand the situation, and I let out a hollow laugh.

‘I filmed an entire drama, and I’m still thinking like this.’

I found myself ridiculous, but it couldn’t be helped.

Even though I’d become somewhat accustomed to words like ‘acting’ and ‘actor’, the word ‘celebrity’ still felt strange.

A celebrity important enough to need a manager?

‘Ugh, I still can’t get used to it.’

Of course, I did have a manager until a few days ago.

But Hyun Jingae was closer to a chauffeur than a manager.

He’d drive me to filming locations and then immediately abandon me there to go see Director Shin, so he never really did much as a manager.

‘Honestly, that was more comfortable.’

Even when I worked as a loan shark, my subordinates only handled the driving. I did most things myself.

Waiting around for someone to come help didn’t suit my personality, and I never particularly liked adjusting my work style to match someone else’s.

‘I never thought much about Hyun Jingae because we weren’t going to work together for long anyway.’

But things were different now.

‘I can’t treat Wooyeon Entertainment the same way I treated Star Actors.’

The concept of a lifelong workplace might be gone these days, but as long as I wanted to keep earning money as an actor, I needed to stay with Wooyeon Entertainment for as long as possible.

It was the only major agency large enough to stand against other entertainment companies while also being beyond the reach of any schemes Yoo Seulho’s parents might attempt.

And Wooyeon Entertainment was famous for valuing managers almost as much as their artists.

‘Choi Ran told me that.’

Back when the scandal involving Woo Jun-seo’s mistreatment of his manager had exploded, Choi Ran had talked about Wooyeon Entertainment.

Most of their managers were full-time employees, so they couldn’t be penalized simply because an artist disliked them.

Of course, entertainers still took priority over managers… that was unavoidable in the entertainment industry.

But that didn’t mean managers were treated as disposable accessories.

Which meant that if I wanted to maintain a good relationship with Wooyeon Entertainment, I also had to avoid conflicts with my manager.

In other words, I couldn’t treat this guy the way I’d treated Hyun Jingae.

‘I’m already uncomfortable.’

Just thinking about it made me want to sigh.

Still, I couldn’t exactly say something ridiculous like, ‘I don’t need a manager, just drive me around.’

“I look forward to working with you as well.”

Suppressing everything I wanted to say, I extended my hand.

Naturally, it was meant to be a simple handshake.

But the moment my hand moved, the other man’s gaze reacted sharply.

Only after confirming that I wasn’t holding anything did he take my hand.

‘…?’

Several thoughts flashed through my mind.

I quickly scanned his straight posture, short haircut, and other details before asking,

“Were you in the military?”

“…Ah.”

Chu Seomok’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Yes. I graduated from the Korea Military Academy. Is it really that obvious?”

Even the brief look of confusion on his face couldn’t hide the rigid discipline characteristic of a soldier.

“I was just guessing.”

I shrugged.

“I figured you were either military or police. You don’t look very old, so military seemed more likely.”

“You’re the first person who’s ever figured it out that quickly.”

He looked curious about how I’d known, but merely parted his lips before deciding not to ask.

Even that restraint felt military-like.

Team Leader Ahn, who had silently watched our exchange, finally joined the conversation.

“He’s the same age as you. Like he said, he entered the Military Academy and was commissioned as an officer at twenty-two. He left the service early last year due to personal circumstances. He’s good at just about everything, so I was the one who suggested he become a manager.”

“So you already knew each other.”

“Even if I knew him personally, I’d have fired him long ago if he couldn’t do the job. Seomok, how long have you been working as a manager now?”

Chu Seomok immediately answered.

“Seven months.”

“It’s already been that long, huh? He hasn’t worked as a dedicated manager yet, but he’s been all over the place as an assistant manager. He’s quick on his feet and has excellent stamina. I’m sure he’ll get along well with you.”

Hmm.

“So I’ll be your first dedicated assignment…”

“I’ll do my best.”

At my muttered remark, Chu Seomok bowed again.

To others, he probably looked like a polite young man.

To me, he just seemed inflexible.

‘How many times is he going to bow? We already greeted each other.’

Ah.

I already felt like we weren’t a good match.

If he was the same age as twenty-five-year-old Yoo Seulho, he was basically just starting his career.

Of course, someone commissioned as an officer at twenty-two wasn’t an ordinary person.

‘But so what?’

What advantage did being a former soldier provide for a manager?

‘And he’s a rookie who’s never even had a dedicated assignment before.’

I shot Team Leader Ahn a meaningful look.

He definitely understood the ‘Why are you doing this to me?’ hidden inside it.

Yet he simply smiled calmly.

“I spent a long time thinking about what kind of manager would suit you, and honestly, there wasn’t anyone better than Seomok. He knows how to handle himself physically, so he’ll be able to act as a bodyguard too.”

“I don’t need a bodyguard.”

“Mr. Seulho, how long has it been since someone threw raw eggs at you on the street?”

“…That’s different.”

That happened because of Director Shin in the first place.

And that man was heading to prison now.

It wasn’t like something like that would happen again.

Despite my aggrieved rebuttal, Team Leader Ahn simply told me to trust his instincts.

“I’ve suffered a lot while working as a manager. There was one actor who came back injured every other day. In my opinion, you’re the same type.”

“I can protect myself.”

“It’s not that I don’t trust you. It’s just that there are more crazy people in the world than you’d think. Especially…”

Team Leader Ahn’s slow gaze settled on me.

“You’re not the kind of celebrity who only attracts fans. You’re also the type who develops equally intense anti-fans. Even if it’s just as a precaution, it’s better to have a backup plan.”

Well, he wasn’t wrong.

As I nodded in reluctant agreement, Chu Seomok, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.

“Am I that backup plan?”

There wasn’t the slightest trace of displeasure in his voice.

He was simply trying to clearly define his role.

Even in this brief moment, his personality was obvious.

‘Hah.’

At this point, there wasn’t much point resisting anymore.

“I look forward to working with you, Mr. Seomok.”

“Yes. I’ll do my best.”

After answering firmly, Chu Seomok hesitated before asking,

“Is there anything else you’re curious about?”

“Hm?”

“Like why I left the Military Academy and was discharged early. Or what circumstances prevented me from completing my mandatory service. Everyone always asks.”

If he hated talking about it that much, why bring it up himself?

‘I guess he figures it’s better to get it over with early.’

I understood his thinking.

I just wasn’t interested.

“If it isn’t information necessary for us to work together, I don’t need to know.”

Whatever his circumstances were, what did they have to do with me?

It’s not like I was filming a drama about it.

“…! Yes. Understood.”

To my surprise, Chu Seomok visibly brightened.

‘This might be a problem, though.’

Up until now, whenever there was something I didn’t know, I asked Choi Ran.

But the drama was over.

I needed someone as knowledgeable about the entertainment industry as she was.

Ideally, that would have been my manager.

‘But somehow he seems like he knows even less than I do.’

The thought weakened my determination to avoid clashing with upper management while I was at Wooyeon Entertainment.

If my manager turned out to be useless… or worse, a hindrance… then I wouldn’t have a choice.

Even if it meant stepping on some toes, I’d have to request a replacement.

‘Looks like I’ll have to gather industry information myself for now.’

Thinking that, I returned to the hotel.

 

***

 

The next day.

[8:30 a.m.]

Knock knock.

Someone knocked on my hotel room door.

“Who is it?”

“It’s me, Mr. Seulho.”

The sudden visit surprised me, but I told him to come in.

Using the passcode I’d given him yesterday, Chu Seomok let himself in.

“Did I have a schedule today?”

“No. I’m here for today’s briefing. Yesterday you mentioned you usually wake up around eight.”

A briefing?

Seeing the question mark on my face, Chu Seomok immediately headed into the living room.

He sat me down on the sofa and suddenly began his presentation.

“Actor Woo Junseo mentioned you on his social media yesterday. He posted, ‘My friend, give me a call. I’m lonely ㅠㅠ,’ but deliberately did not tag the account you recently created.”

“He did? I had no idea.”

“And Director Baek Jinhee was reportedly seen drinking with a certain male actor yesterday–”

Chu Seomok continued without pause.

He reported every piece of entertainment-industry news from the previous day, along with public reactions in the comments.

Like a battlefield commander delivering an intelligence report on enemy troop movements during wartime.

The most absurd part was his solemn expression while carefully including even the heart emojis people had left in the comments.

“That concludes the briefing.”

“…Thank you.”

I was speechless.

As I stared blankly at him, Chu Seomok asked whether there was anything else I needed.

“Are you going to do this every day?”

“If it’s inconvenient, I can send it by message instead.”

“No, that’s not what I meant… Is this normally something managers do?”

At my question, Chu Seomok paused.

He thought for a moment before answering quickly.

“I don’t know whether other managers do it. But I will.”

His tone was firm.

“I believe monitoring the industry is naturally part of a manager’s duties.”

There was even a sense of responsibility in the way he spoke… as if, if there was information he didn’t know, he would find the answer by whatever means necessary and report back.

‘Huh.’

This might actually be better than I expected.