Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 602: Welcome to Korea (1)

Today was January 31, finally the day Ling Ling would arrive in Korea.

After waking up, I spent time lazily in bed for the first time in a while. Since I only had to go meet Ling Ling at 2 p.m., I could stop by the office briefly later in the afternoon.

Breathing in the sun-warmed scent of my blanket, I started by checking the top news on the portal. The front page was still filled with articles about surrogate surgery following yesterday's reports.

[Exclusive] Revealing the Truth Behind Rampant Surrogate Surgeries in the Medical Field (Star Exclusive, Reporter Kang In-Han)

There was heavy criticism about how even though there were victims from these surrogate surgeries, the hospitals and doctors responsible didn't lose their licenses.

Unlike reporters who only stirred up issues, Kang In-Han also proposed solutions. He suggested that if the law banning surrogate surgeries was applied too broadly, it would prevent residents and interns from gaining surgical experience. His suggestion was that there should be an exception clause.

"Mr. Kang is taking a pretty careful approach."

I felt once again that it had been the right call to reach out to Kang In-Han.

Next, I checked the entertainment section on the portal. It was filled with articles about the soon-to-be-released film Jiri Mountain.

But unexpectedly, the number one article in the entertainment TOP10 was about me.

"Huh? Why is this still up?"

[H Entertainment's Star Talent Agent Mr. J. Throws Himself Into Jiri Mountain]

-When a landslide occurred, Talent Agent J rescued junior staff member A...

(Comments)

-This isn't just a star talent agent, he's a super talent agent.

-Looks like he's living a fully completed life in his twenties.

-He deserves a hero's award at this point, doesn't he?

-Doesn't the police have something like a civic hero award?

Seeing an article filled with such excessive praise made me laugh. I almost typed "I'm a regressor!" in the comments when a call came in.

Buzz.

[Caller ID: LZ Inc.'s PR Director Park Moon-Soo]

Park Moon-Soo was the Promotion Director of LZ Inc. I got to know him through the HARU_1DAY shampoo ad that Haru was currently modeling for.

Within the company, he was called Investigator Park Moon-Soo for being strict and meticulous. However, he was actually a very decent person.

Worried the call might be about Haru's ad, I quickly picked up.

"Good morning, Mr. Park."

-Oh, Chief Jung. Sorry for calling you so early in the morning.

"Not at all. I just got up and was resting."

-Oh, is today your day off?

"No. I'm just starting work late due to fieldwork. Is something wrong? Is there an issue with the ad?"

-Oh, no, it's not that. Our President saw the article about you and wants to nominate you for a civic hero award.

"Excuse me?"

-The President is a fan of Mr. Lee Tae-Poong, and he called the promotion office after seeing the Jiri Mountain article. I was already thinking of nominating you, so it lined up perfectly.

I was caught off guard. I only saved someone thanks to what I learned from Everyday, and now I was being called a hero.

"I'm really honored, but calling me a hero is too much. I don't deserve that."

-As expected, the President's judgment wasn't wrong. That's exactly what most hero award nominees say when they turn it down. If it were me, I'd take it without hesitation. Why do all the real heroes never want the recognition?

'No, I just turned it down because it's too much of a hassle.'

However, Park Moon-Soo misunderstood my intent and kept going.

-But you know, Chief Jung, after turning it down about ten times, most people end up saying yes just to get it over with. So why don't we just make it easy on each other, huh?

I appreciated it, but it was something people would forget soon enough. Besides, there were many more people who deserved to be called heroes than me. So I politely declined again.

"I'm fine, so please give it to someone else."

-Hmm. Is that so? Got it. Then I'll ask you about nine more times. I'll call again later.

Click.

With that, Park Moon-Soo hung up.

"Um... Mr. Park?"

'That was basically a setup, wasn't it?'

I couldn't help but laugh at how absurd that call was first thing in the morning.

'A civic hero award, huh.'

Even if he called nine more times, I had no intention of accepting it. Yet, it wasn't a bad way to start the morning.

The comments even mentioned a model citizen award. I was scared that maybe the police would call next.

Just then, I heard Haru's voice along with the sound at the door.

Knock knock.

-Hyung. Are you awake?

He must have heard me on the phone, so he spoke through the door.

"Yeah, I'm up. Come in."

Haru opened the door and came in. It was the winter break of his third year in middle school. After staying with his mom in Suwon for a while, he seemed to have grown quite a bit since I last saw him.

Haru looked about 167 cm now. Unlike before the regression, he hadn't hurt his knee this time. So watching him grow so well made me twice as happy.

Even more, he was becoming more and more handsome as he got taller. His features were sharper, and his long eyelashes were so full they looked almost fake. He was dressed simply in a hoodie and sweatpants, but his face alone made the outfit look like fashion.

"Wow, Haru. You're going to be super popular in high school."

Haru flashed a killer eye-smile. "Aww, come on. Half the kids at my school are aspiring actors or idols. There are so many good-looking ones. Compared to them, I'm nothing..."

He was being too modest, so I replied with certainty. "Nope. Haru, you're the best!"

Haru gave a slight laugh. "You always say that like you mean it. Stop joking and come down for breakfast. The housekeeper said it's time to eat."

Clearly not buying it, Haru helped me up.

'But I seriously meant it.'

Stretching as I stood, I asked Haru as we went downstairs. "So how's life in Suwon?"

"It's good. Mom's happy, and Mr. Kim treats us really well."

Haru's mom, Natalie, had accepted the proposal from Director Kim Chul-Soo, who had taken care of her for a long time after she lost her memory. They were now setting a wedding date.

"Oh, and I think Mom wants to ask if you'd MC the wedding. Do you have time?"

Natalie had planned to ask me as soon as they had picked a date, but she had hesitated since she knew how busy I was.

I felt a lump in my throat.

"It'd be an honor. But did Mr. Kim Chul-Soo say he's okay with that?"

I had to ask because normally, the groom's friend acted as the MC.

"Actually, Mr. Kim was the one who suggested it. He said they're able to get married thanks to you."

"Then of course I'll do it."

Getting to witness moments like this—ones that changed the course of people's lives—was a reward a hundred, no, a thousand times greater than any civic hero award.

Then Haru said, "Oh, and hyung. I saw the article. You filmed an action movie on Jiri Mountain, huh?"

"You saw that too?"

"Yeah. Even on the set of The Foodie Nomads, everyone's talking about you."

Maybe because I saved a staff member, the buzz on set was huge.

"Oh come on~ it's all fleeting attention. It'll fade soon."

A bit embarrassed, I quickly changed the subject.

"Anyway, what's for breakfast? We had Korean Chinese food last night, so I'm still kind of full. Something light would be nice."

Haru grinned wide. "It's pork backbone hangover soup[1]."

'I had sweet and greasy Chinese food and tangsuyuk[ref]Tangsuyuk[/ref] last night, and now pork soup for breakfast?'

"Whose idea was that?"

Haru chuckled. "You know who it is. Our house's soup fairy."

"Is it Miso...?"

"Yeah."

Miso preferred Korean pancakes over pizza and pork soup over cream soup. She had asked Jung In-Ji for something spicy and refreshing, and that meant pork backbone hangover soup.

After all that greasy jjajangmyeon and tangsuyuk, pork soup in the morning felt way too heavy. But if Miso asked, then I had to go with it.

"Well, I guess there's no other choice then. I'll just have some of the broth."

While chatting, we arrived on the first floor.

As soon as I opened the door, the rich scent of pork backbone hangover soup hit me. The nutty aroma of perilla seeds, the freshness of sesame leaves, and the kick of chili powder was perfect.

Growl.

Even though I had eaten so much last night, my stomach began to sing. Thinking about it, pork soup in the morning might not be such a bad idea after all.

***

After inviting Han Yoo-Sik and Lee Ah-Eun, we started eating pork soup for breakfast.

Miso blew on the hot broth with her personal spoon and took a sip. "Huu~ Huu~ Nom~"

"Is it good, Miso?"

"Hehe. Yeah. It's super delicious!"

Just then, Injeolmi and Baekseolgi clung to Miso's feet with their mouths open.

"Woof woof!"

"Meeooow~"

Miso looked down and shook her head. "Nope. You two already ate! This isn't for you!"

"Whimper."

"Meow~"

"Don't play dumb, Seolgi, Jeolmi. Go over there!"

Miso pointed firmly toward the living room, giving her orders. But Injeolmi and Baekseolgi ignored her, raised their front paws, and clung to her legs.

"Woof!"

"Myaa~"

Flustered Miso came over to me, still dragging the two along clinging to her legs.

Injeolmi and Baekseolgi had no intention of letting go.

"Uncle Yoon-Ho. They keep eating. They won't stop. What should I do?"

I felt like I should say something, but nothing appropriate came to mind.

That's when Yoo-Jin chuckled and pointed at their bellies. "Oppa. Their stomachs are about to explode. If they eat any more, we might have a real problem."

Injeolmi and Baekseolgi's bellies were puffed out like balloons.

'Yeah, I can see that happening.'

I grabbed both of them by the scruffs of their necks and lifted them off the ground.

"Whimper~"

"Myaa~?"

Sensing something was off, they immediately pulled out their secret weapon. They started licking my hand with their tongues. I nearly gave in, but managed to hold firm.

"Acting cute won't work!"

I spoke to them sternly and seriously, then gently placed them on their comfy pet beds[2] in the living room. They peeked up at me, then flopped over on their back with round bellies to the sky. They snuggled into each other before falling asleep.

Purrrrr~ snore snore.

"You two might be the luckiest creatures on earth."

At that moment, Han Yoo-Sik came over with a smile after finishing his meal. "What are you laughing at while staring at those two?"

"Oh, I'm just a bit jealous."

"Actually, so am I."

Han Yoo-Sik burst into laughter. Then he said he had just been informed that the rehabilitation would be completed next week and that it was time to begin production preparations.

"That's great news. But has there been any word from Sung Gyu-Hwan's side?"

"Nope, still nothing. TNT isn't letting go."

Sung Gyu-Hwan of TNT Entertainment was a candidate for the male lead in Smoke. I had advised him to boycott appearing in other projects to TNT Entertainment and appear in Smoke, but there was still no update.

"We'll wait until the end of this week. If nothing changes, I'll meet with him again myself."

"Why would I worry about something you guarantee? Just make sure you help out a lot once we get started."

"Of course."

That's when I got a call.

[Caller ID: Guard Post #1]

I picked up an unexpected call from the guard post early in the morning. And the content was absolutely absurd.

-Mr. Jung. The Chief of Cheonho-dong Police Station is here to present you with the model citizen award.

Just like in the comments, it turned out they really were giving me a model citizen award. And just like that, I was suddenly facing the police chief first thing in the morning.

'Now how am I supposed to turn this one down?'

***

The current time was 1:50 p.m.

I had just parked at Incheon International Airport and was walking with Jung Sang-Bong to meet Ling Ling, Wang Long, and Lily.

Wang Long and Lily were planning to stay for about a week, but Ling Ling would be staying in Korea long-term. While I was officially listed as Ling Ling's guardian in Korea, I had heard someone would accompany her as a personal assistant or talent agent just in case.

Jung Sang-Bong, walking beside me, kept looking at his phone.

I asked, "What are you staring at so intently?"

Jung Sang-Bong grinned and held out his phone. "Oh, it's your article, Mr. Jung."

"That stuff is still up?"

"Yes. Seems like it's the biggest story since yesterday and today. It's a good promotion for Jiri Mountain, too."

"What do you mean it's good? Do you know how chaotic my morning was because of that? LZ Inc. wants to give me a hero award, and the Cheonho-dong police chief came to present a model citizen award..."

"You should just accept them."

"If I do, politicians will be lining up to meet me next. I don't even have time to take care of my celebrities properly."

Before the regression, I once accepted a commendation from the city. After that, I was dragged to countless events where I had to take photos with politicians. I even had to bring celebrities with me every time.

That was a mistake I wasn't going to repeat.

"Then are you not going to do ads either?"

"...No."

Even before I left the house, offers for household product ads were coming in. The sponsors of Lee Tae-Poong and Yoo-Jin's commercials were even asking me to appear alongside them. I kept declining, and the number of rejections had already passed twenty.

While we talked, we reached the inside of Incheon Airport. I headed with Jung Sang-Bong to the VIP only arrivals area.

That's when people nearby began glancing over at us.

At first, I thought they were looking at Jung Sang-Bong, the gold medalist. But when they started switching between their phones and my face, I knew it was because of the articles from yesterday and today. They were looking at me.

At that moment, Jung Sang-Bong said, "Mr. Jung, everyone's looking at you."

I swallowed hard. From experience, I knew what this meant.

A storm was coming.

"Sang-Bong."

"Yes?"

"Get ready to run."

"Why?"

Then it happened—people holding up phones began approaching like a pack on a hunt. If they caught me, there would be no way I could meet Ling Ling.

I bolted straight toward the VIP zone. "Run!"

"H-Huh? Okay!"

Jung Sang-Bong belatedly ran after me.

At that moment, I heard a voice behind me that sent a chill down my spine.

"Hey... isn't that Jung Yoon-Ho?"

"Yeah. That's the handsome talent agent."

"Ah... I should've taken a picture..."

"Catch him~~!"

'Catch what!?'

I didn't even look back as I dashed into the VIP zone.

***

[VIP Arrivals Only]

No one followed me after I showed my ID to airport security and entered the VIP area.

"Phew~ I'm safe."

The VIP arrivals lounge felt more like a private airport lounge with large glass windows overlooking the runway and chairs and tables neatly arranged.

I sank into a soft chair while waiting for Wang Long, Lily, and Ling Ling to arrive.

Jung Sang-Bong sat down beside me and started to worry. "Mr. Jung, how are we supposed to leave later?"

"We'll obviously need security."

Ridiculously, it wouldn't be because of Ling Ling or Lily that I needed security. It was because of my own articles.

"It feels like you're the VIP today, Mr. Jung."

I didn't have it in me to deny it today.

Just then, the door across from us opened, and Wang Long, Lily, and Ling Ling came out with their luggage all together.

Buzz.

"Yoon-Ho!"

"Mr. Yoon-Ho."

Wang Long and Lily waved excitedly.

Ling Ling, wearing an ivory long coat, came skipping over cheerfully beside them. Adorably cute Ling Ling had her signature ponytail.

"Mr. Jung~~"

At that moment, a woman about 173cm tall with a bob haircut came rushing after Ling Ling, dragging a luggage cart.

"Miss Ling Ling. Please wait a moment."

With a figure like a model, she was stunning enough to pass for a celebrity.

But the instant I saw her face clearly, I couldn't help but be shocked. She was someone who absolutely should not be here.

'You... Why are you here?'

1. Pork backbone hangover soup ☜

2. The Korean for this is 마약 방석 which is literally translated as drug-cushion beds. However, when talking about cushions and stuff, it's about how comfy it is. It's so addictingly comfy that you never want to leave ☜