Chapter 3: Do You Lack Managers or Not?
“I hereby declare the champion of the Fourth Model Survival Competition is—”
At the SBS recording studio, the host dragged out the final syllable, applying psychological pressure on the models standing on stage.
Having passed through multiple rounds of elimination, the model sisters gripped Lee Sung-kyung’s hand tightly.
Amid flashing lights, the host revealed the suspense:
“—Contestant Lee Sung-kyung, congratulations!”
Golden confetti burst forth from both sides, and the spotlight centered on Lee Sung-kyung’s head.
Her joy was genuine, a reward earned through hard work.
“Champion, please give your acceptance speech—”
After embracing the runner-up sister, Lee Sung-kyung turned toward the center of the stage.
“……”
There were only twelve minutes left before the last subway train after the recording wrapped.
Lee Sung-kyung had no choice but to run all the way.
The sensor light in the hallway of her shared apartment had been broken for three days.
She fumbled in the dark to unlock the door and accidentally kicked a pair of slippers positioned as if holding a fugitive pose for Kang Jae-hoon.
Just then, Kang Jae-hoon’s overseas text message popped up:
[The lunchbox has fried bugs T_T]
Her thumb hovered over the keyboard for three seconds before typing just three Korean syllables:
[Eat it]
Soon after, Kang Jae-hoon’s video call appeared.
When the video connected, his face was pixelated into a mosaic:
“What place did you get?”
“First place, signed with Y+.”
The pixelated blocks suddenly shook violently:
“Awesome! I knew you’d do it, Sung-kyung…”
“Where are you? Why’s the signal so bad?”
The video froze abruptly.
It took two minutes before it resumed:
“Can you see clearly now?”
Lee Sung-kyung squinted suddenly:
“Did you go coal mining?”
“Uh, the Thai sun is just more intense…”
“Tch.”
“By the way, Sung-kyung.”
Kang Jae-hoon suddenly waved a dried mango:
“A specialty I brought you!”
“Excessive preservatives.”
“And a hand-carved elephant…”
“Customs will confiscate that.”
“Well… then this!”
He suddenly held up a pair of elephant-print beach shorts.
It was originally a gift he bought for himself…
“Dare to bring it back and try?”
“Perfect as your new pajamas!”
“Kang Jae-hoon!”
“……”
The camera suddenly spun wildly.
As the screen went black, Lee Sung-kyung glimpsed the faint curve at the corner of her lips.
-----------------
The filming schedule for *International Market* in Thailand was one month.
The reason for shooting in Thailand instead of Vietnam was the higher costs of filming on location in Vietnam.
Kang Jae-hoon’s character, Nam-jin, had only three scenes.
Though his professional and earnest attitude earned the director’s recognition during his debut, he still only had three scenes.
Every day, Kang Jae-hoon’s routine was to jot down the acting details of Hwang Jung-min and Oh Dal-soo in his little notebook.
Though Oh Dal-soo’s character was problematic, his acting was undeniably among the finest on the peninsula, and many nuances were valuable for a rookie like Kang Jae-hoon to learn.
April 4th.
On the fifth day at the Thai set, banana leaves drooped from the sun’s heat near the prop box.
In the shade of a tree, Kang Jae-hoon was gripping a pen, writing on page 27 of his notebook:
[Teacher Hwang Jung-min’s Angry Scene Prelude]
1. Right pinky twitches three times (0.5 seconds apart)
2. Tongue presses for 0.8 seconds (right vein bulges)
3. Back molars bite 0.3 seconds before dialogue (mic picks up crunching)
[Senior Oh Dal-soo’s Crying Scene Guide]
1. Lower lip trembles three times (each with decreasing amplitude)
2. Swallows twice (different Adam’s apple movement)
3. Tear glands activate on 5th blink (0.5 seconds before 3rd line)
Suddenly, a shadow fell across the page.
An extra stared at the dense handwriting before turning to look at a dozing colleague under the tree.
These extras were covering their faces with banana leaves, their snores mingling with the scent of Thai curry in the air.
“Jae-hoon, xi.”
Startled by the sudden voice, Kang Jae-hoon flinched, the pen striking through the line: “Teacher touches belt buckle when needing to pee.”
“Why aren’t you resting?”
The extra plopped down beside him and said:
“I’ve been an extra for twenty years. I’ve seen people steal from directors, secretly film leads, but never someone studying the old man’s hand tremors.”
Kang Jae-hoon scratched his nose bashfully:
“Teacher Hwang said…”
“I know, I know. Anyone who’s touched a camera is a teacher.”
The extra pulled out a half-pack of crumpled Dunhill cigarettes:
“Honestly, trying to make it as an extra on the peninsula is harder than catching a shark in the Han River.”
“Well…”
Kang Jae-hoon pointed at the crew member:
“They don’t allow smoking on set.”
Caught mid-act, the extra paused for two seconds, then silently stuffed the cigarette back in his pocket:
“After filming’s done, I’ll go back to Seoul with you.”
“What?”
“You need a manager, right?”
“Bro, don’t joke…”
Kang Jae-hoon hurriedly waved him off.
His situation was hardly better than an extra’s. Three shots done, he’d be unemployed again.
Suddenly, a shout came from the assistant director:
“Corpse team, ready!”
-----------------
“I’m not joking.”
The extra stood, dusted the dirt off his pants, and said:
“Think about it. Give me your answer by breakfast tomorrow.”
Kang Jae-hoon stared blankly at the extra’s retreating back, faintly hearing him mutter:
“Damn, I should at least ask about the cut percentage first…”
Nighttime.
In the lead actors’ lounge.
Hwang Jung-min was inspecting the “acting notes” Kang Jae-hoon had recorded.
Kang Jae-hoon squatted beside his folding chair, munching on mango sticky rice.
“What’s his name?”
“Kim Dae-won, one year younger than you.”
“How many actresses has he slept with?”
“Huh?”
Hwang Jung-min closed his notebook and said:
“Extras turned managers are either saints or have slept their way through the lower ranks with no other options.”
“He says he has connections…”
“Damn, my manager told me he knows the president.”
“Really?”
“Smack—”
Hwang Jung-min tapped the notebook against Kang Jae-hoon’s head:
“How much commission does he take?”
“Didn’t mention…”
“Alright, ask him three questions tomorrow morning.”
Hwang Jung-min tapped the notebook again:
“First, the name of the extra whose scene was cut from *Unfair Trade* in 2010.”
“Second, which district the mistress of CJ Entertainment’s procurement chief lives in.”
“Third, the color of the underwear my wife gave me last week.”
Kang Jae-hoon nearly choked on his iced water:
“The third question’s too much, right?”
“If he can answer the first two, he’s worth 70% commission.”
Hwang Jung-min kicked him on the butt:
“Go memorize your lines.”
“Teacher! I’ve got these lines down cold!”
“Memorize mine.”
“Oh…”
Only by understanding the psychology of the other character could his performance dazzle the director during scenes.
Being remembered by the director meant limitless opportunity.
In showbiz, resources were constantly passed around.
Kang Jae-hoon understood Hwang Jung-min’s good intentions and immediately stood, rubbing his backside as he left.
At the door, he suddenly heard a lighter flick behind him.
“Kid.”
“Yes?”
“If he answers the third question…”
Hwang Jung-min exhaled smoke rings and sneered:
“Get ready to be my body double.”
Kang Jae-hoon: “……”