Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 836: Beginning of Change (1)

[KBC Music Stage Upset: Treviang’s 'Stand Alone' Takes 1st Place!]

[Treviang Clinches Music Show Win with 'Stand Alone']

[Another #1 Girl Group Born Under Hoop Entertainment]

[Hoop Entertainment: The #1 Hit-Maker Incubator]

[Hoop Entertainment Surges to 2nd in the Industry Right After IPO—Will They Conquer the Top with Hip-Hop Girl Group Treviang?]

[Top Analyst Pick: Hoop Entertainment Named Most Recommended Stock]

[Hoop Entertainment: Powerhouse Partnership Formed Between Treviang and Jason Cho]

[Hoop Entertainment Hits #1 Again—First Berry Six, Now Treviang. Will Good News Push the Stock to Another Limit-Up Tomorrow?]

[Hoop Entertainment Stock Forecast: K Branch Manager at Hanbit Securities Predicts 200,000–300,000 KRW]

...

Articles were pouring in, more than double the volume seen back when Cherry Blossom took first place. That was because ever since Hoop Entertainment had been selected as the number one recommended stock by analysts, the number of articles in the financial section had surged.

To be honest, even when Top Entertainment was several times larger than Hoop Entertainment before I regressed, it had never made this kind of impact. That was the reason I hadn't expected such an explosive response every time. However, Hoop Entertainment was drawing attention from the public with everything it did.

Whether who took first place, who joined which project, and who was working with whom—every single move was being turned into headlines.

It felt overwhelming, yet at the same time, there was a strange thrill in watching my influence reach beyond the entertainment world and seep into broader society. Still, I tried to tamp down that excitement. After all, this level of attention was far from the end of what lay ahead for me. Hoop Entertainment wasn't going to stop moving forward until we reached the top.

That was when I spotted a headline that struck a chord.

[Hoop Entertainment. Treviang claims first place! "Their bold strides toward the summit have begun."]

I nodded in agreement at the title and murmured to myself, "Treviang!"

***

Sizzle~

Juicy beef cooked enticingly on a brass grill plate. One side was already browned and flipped, while the other side was still grilling. Just then, another drop of meat juice fell onto the glowing charcoal beneath.

Sizzle~

The juices vaporized into a puff of white smoke. I waited ten more seconds for the last side to finish before picking up the meat with my chopsticks. Then I dipped it generously into salt as white as snow and popped it into my mouth.

Chew, chew.

However, I couldn't taste anything.

'What the hell is this?'

I had barely slept since last night, and apparently the exhaustion had dulled my sense of taste.

To think I had come all this way, even regressed, only to lose my sense of taste was absolutely upsetting.

'What kind of nonsense is this?'

Frustration bubbled up in me and I wanted to vent it somehow, but strangely, my mouth wouldn't open.

'Ugh... no...'

My lips felt like they were glued shut. I turned to the side. Chief Han So-Yoo, the three members of Treviang, and Kang Ha-Na were too busy eating meat to even glance my way.

At that moment, I cried out for help with all my strength. Nevertheless, there was no response.

Then, I suddenly heard a voice.

-Uncle Yoon-Ho!

-Hyung!

I heard Miso and Haru's voices echoing from afar.

'Why would Miso and Haru be calling out to me? They should be at home.'

And right after that, I heard Yoo-Jin's voice.

-Oppa, wake up.

'Wake up? Is this... a dream?'

The next instant, the world began to shake and everything turned blinding white.

Flash.

"Gah!"

When I opened my eyes, I saw Miso, Haru, and Yoo-Jin staring at me with worried expressions.

"Did you have a nightmare, hyung?" Haru asked, snapping me out of it.

'So it was a dream.'

Then Yoo-Jin spoke. "Haru said you just wouldn't wake up, so we came in to check. But you were saying something about how things couldn't go on? Yelling that it wasn't working?"

"Oh... well..."

It felt too embarrassing to admit that it was because I couldn't taste the meat in my dream.

"Um, right... I was freaking out because the whole Treviang first place thing turned out to be a dream... wait. That wasn't a dream, right?"

Yoo-Jin gave a little smile. "Don't worry. It wasn't a dream. Treviang really did take first place yesterday."

"Thank god."

Just then, Miso held out a small porcelain bowl with her tiny hands. Honey water sloshed gently inside.

"Uncle Yoon-Ho, here. Drink this."

"Thank you."

I carefully took the honey water Miso offered. Even though it had been diluted with water, the thick, sweet taste of the honey burst across my tongue.

'Thank god.'

Since my sense of taste had returned, it really must have just been a dream. Finally reassured, I asked what had been bothering me. I remembered leaving the broadcasting station last night and going to the afterparty.

"How did I get home?"

Yoo-Jin let out a deep sigh. "You said you'd rest against the wall for just a bit before the meat came out, and then you completely passed out. So the Singer Division 1 team wrapped up the party and brought you home. I've never seen anyone come home drunk on sleep instead of alcohol."

That was when I realized why I couldn't taste the meat even in the dream.

"So... I didn't eat a single bite of meat last night?" I asked.

"Nope. You just slept like a baby. So of course you didn't eat anything."

'To think that the magical day where Treviang took first place would end up being just a dream in more ways than one...'

It truly was a dreamlike day.

***

At 7 a.m., I heard a car pull into the yard.

Screech.

Miso had to head to Namhae for the KBC's Haze shoot, so Jung Sang-Bong had arrived. I also had to drop Haru off at school and head to the office.

It was because of what Chief Yoon Dong-Gu had pulled yesterday. Despite having been demoted with a six-month salary cut, Yoon Dong-Gu had gone rogue—pushing through unauthorized funding approvals and lobbying to sabotage Treviang. I couldn't let that slide.

The disciplinary committee would convene in a week, but to push for harsher penalties, I needed to give President Kang Gam-Chan a fuller picture of what had happened at the broadcasting station.

Just then, Miso burst out of the second-floor living room, which she had come down to briefly.

Thud-thud-thud-thud.

"Nooo!"

Even though it was early April, Miso had on a fur-lined beanie and a pink long padded coat. She had zipped it all the way up to her neck and now looked like a walking tire mascot.

"Uncle Yoon-Ho!"

Pitter-patter.

Miso trotted over and plastered herself behind me.

"Oh? What's wrong?" I asked.

"Huff, huff. Uncle Yoon-Ho, I think Mommy hates me now. I told her it's too hot, but she still made me wear this! I might get sick like this! Please talk to her for me!"

Miso spoke rapidly from behind my back, where she had tucked herself.

Yoo-Jin protested, sounding wronged. "Miso, you need to dress warmly. Namhae's by the sea and it's cold there."

Now that I thought about it, I used to have the same kinds of arguments with Sister Michaela at the orphanage.

She would always nag that I should dress warm because it's cold, but I would refuse. Then I would run out as I pleased and end up catching a cold. Remembering those old conversations made me chuckle.

I turned Miso around and unzipped her coat just a bit.

Miso let out a big sigh. "Phew~ that's better."

"Miso, if it gets too hot, just unzip it a little, okay? You can take it off in the car too. But make sure to wear it on the island. Otherwise, you'll catch a cold."

Even though it was April, the island's foggy mornings and nights were still cold.

"Is it really that cold?"

"Yeah. So listen to your mom, okay?"

Miso glanced up at me, then shouted. "Okay! But then let me wear a different color hat! Yellow!"

"Sure. I'll ask your mom to switch it."

Yoo-Jin hurried off into the room. "Yellow? Got it. One sec."

While she was gone, I spoke to Miso. "Miso, be careful on the island, okay? I'll come later, so until then, have fun with Uncle Sang-Bong."

"Okay!"

A little later, Yoo-Jin returned with a different hat and swapped it out for her. Then we all headed downstairs. I helped Miso into the back seat of Jung Sang-Bong's car.

Once inside, she stuck her head out the window like the fight never happened, waving enthusiastically with a face full of reluctance to say goodbye.

"Mom, see you later! Uncle Yoon-Ho, you too! Bye!!"

"Yeah, see you later."

"Bye, Miso."

Vroom~

Jung Sang-Bong's car pulled out.

Yoo-Jin and I kept waving at the car as it left, not stopping until it disappeared down the alley. Even Miso didn't pull her head in, waving back at us all the way.

"Mom, Uncle Yoon-Ho, byeee!!"

"Bye, Miso~"

After Miso vanished around the corner, I turned to Yoo-Jin. "I'll come pick you up around lunch, okay? You should get some rest before the She Was Beautiful audition."

Yoo-Jin gave me a look like, 'And you're one to talk?'

"Oppa, shouldn't you be getting some rest too?" Yoo-Jin asked.

"I'm fine."

"Pfft. You always say that."

Yoo-Jin gave me a little glare, sulking. I knew she was worried about me heading off to work today, but there was no helping it. I had that audition later, but I also had to deal with Yoon Dong-Gu's disciplinary issue.

"I won't overdo it, so don't worry. Just rest up for now. I'll pick you up around lunch."

"Okay. See you later, oppa."

I waved to Yoo-Jin, then loaded Haru into the car and headed out.

***

After dropping Haru off at school, I parked in the underground garage at the office. Just as I turned off the engine, I got a Kk Talk message from Deok-Bae.

[Choi Deok-Bae: Hyung, I'll be there in about 30 minutes. I'll call when I arrive.]

Deok-Bae was on his way to the office to talk about the new ads and upcoming projects flooding in thanks to Hwaranjeon's popularity.

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: No need to rush. Take your time.]

I sent the message and slipped my phone into my pocket. Then I headed straight to the office.

Ding.

The elevator arrived on the 4th floor of Hoop Entertainment. As soon as I stepped inside, I noticed employees murmuring and sneaking glances at me.

But it wasn't just the usual faces—besides Team Lead Oh Duk-Gu and Team Lead Ju Yung-Hoon from Actor Division 2, even Team Lead Woo Ji-Hyun from Division 1 had come down and was whispering.

'Is this because of yesterday?'

Getting Treviang to first place in just a day really was nothing short of a miracle. I mentally prepared myself to answer any questions that might come—how we pulled it off, and what we planned to do next.

That's when Ju Yung-Hoon, not even part of the singer division, hesitantly broke the silence. "Uh, Chief Jung. Ah... why is my voice shaking?"

It was unusual to see the usually slick Ju Yung-Hoon like this.

"Is something wrong?" I asked.

"Well, the thing is..."

Ju Yung-Hoon kept stammering until Oh Duk-Gu sighed and stepped forward. "Out of the way, Team Lead Ju. You're hopeless sometimes."

Pushing Ju Yung-Hoon aside, Oh Duk-Gu got straight to the point.

"There's a rumor going around that you own 15.5% of Hoop Entertainment. Is it true?"

Since it was going to be disclosed anyway, I gave it to them straight. "Yes, that's correct."

Oh Duk-Gu broke into a wide grin. "That's why everyone's gathered. We wanted to congratulate you, Chief Jung. No, just for today, let's call you Yoon-Ho. You did good, Yoon-Ho!"

Even though I outranked him now, Oh Duk-Gu was my sunbae who taught me. And here he was, genuinely congratulating me without a hint of resentment even though I had been promoted ahead of him and had now become a major shareholder.

"Thank you."

While Oh Duk-Gu didn't seem to treat me any differently, the others clearly did. Now that I held a 15.5% stake, my status was bound to shift whether I liked it or not. Especially Ju Yung-Hoon looked like the wind had been knocked out of him.

"Yoon-Ho... Yoon-Ho's... actually... the owner now..."

"Come on, I'm just a shareholder. What's with this 'owner' nonsense? This isn't the Middle Ages, Mr. Ju."

Ju Yung-Hoon flinched back and stretched out a hand.

"S-Silence! I mean, please, quiet for a second, everyone. Mr. Jung, I... I can't think straight right now."

Oh Duk-Gu sighed again. "Don't mind him. Yung-Hoon gets weird around authority figures. Just let him be and he'll get over it."

Ju Yung-Hoon didn't respond but just took deep breaths. Meanwhile, the rest of the staff didn't even bother hiding their excitement anymore.

-See? I told you I was right.

-So Chief Jung's net worth is like... a hundred billion?

-He's rich, no doubt.

-Well, I mean, if you can get Treviang to number one overnight, the company should give you that kind of stake just to keep you around.

-Our president made a great call. All we have to do now is latch on like remoras, and we're golden.

-Remoras? That's what you're going with?

-Better than leeches, isn't it?

-Ugh, fine. You win.

Even if they were openly envious, at least no one seemed hostile. The team leads from Actor Division 1, especially those who had distanced themselves from the Suhyaejong faction, looked even more pleased than the others. To them, having backed someone who was now a major shareholder meant they had powerful support on their side.

"So, Mr. Jung. When's the board appointment?"

Woo Ji-Hyun's question made me shake my head. "I don't plan on becoming a director. Someone else will be taking that seat."

"Who...?"

Just then, a voice came from behind me.

"Ahem. That'd be me."

Gu Seong-Cheol had appeared.

Ju Yung-Hoon, still bracing himself against the wall and trying not to gag, finally turned to look. "Wait, what? You? Mr. Gu?"

"Why? I'm not allowed to be a director? And hey, why don't you get all queasy around me, huh?"

Ju Yung-Hoon blinked like something was off. "I'm not sure. It's just... I don't feel any of that 'director aura' from you? Actually, it's weird. You're making it easier to breathe."

Gu Seong-Cheol cracked his knuckles. "Director aura? I might not have that, but I do have the strength to fold you in half. Hey! Stop right there."

When Gu Seong-Cheol lunged forward with both arms outstretched, Ju Yung-Hoon spun around and darted away. "W-Wait! No shrimp-twisting moves indoors! I said don't come near me! Why is this company promoting people by brute force?!"

"Spreading rumors again, huh? I earned this with my skills! Get back here!"

"Nope!"

Everyone burst into laughter at the chaotic scene except Oh Duk-Gu, who looked a little more serious as he turned to me.

"But Chief Jung, given the way things are going around here, maybe you should take the director seat too..."

"Did something happen?" I asked.

Oh Duk-Gu hesitated, then waved his hand toward the others. "Alright, everyone back to your desks. Let's get back to work."

The team quieted down, offering last words of congratulations as they returned to their posts.

Once the area had cleared, Oh Duk-Gu lowered his voice. "There's talk that since Chief Yoon's getting a heavy penalty, the singers he manages are ready to revolt. But if you become a director, that might shut them down. No matter how free-spirited entertainers are, they can't exactly lash out at a director."

Given that Gwanwoo Entertainment had built its reputation through singer management, digital music, and concerts, the Singer Division 4 had a fair number of high-profile artists. And since Yoon Dong-Gu was Gwanwoo's star producer, it looked like many were rallying to his defense.

Still, I had already anticipated this kind of backlash when I pushed for harsh disciplinary action.

"Who's leading the resistance?"

"It's Sun-Ill hyung-nim."

"You mean, Mr. Bok Seon-Ill?"

Bok Seon-Ill was a 25-year veteran ballad singer, who had hit a second peak in his career with 'The Hundredth Ballad,' a song that flooded the streets every year-end.

"Yeah. If Sun-Ill hyung-nim puts pressure on you, it's going to be rough even for you. That's why I think you should consider the director seat. What do you think?"

Just then, Gu Seong-Cheol returned, dragging Ju Yung-Hoon into a headlock.

"Ugh, Mr. Gu... my neck's gonna snap... Please, let go! Ack!"

"Shut it."

Panting, Gu Seong-Cheol turned to me. "I was going to bring this up as soon as you got here, but I guess Duk-Gu beat me to it. I agree that you should take the director seat and keep Sun-Ill in check. I'm fine with waiting for my own promotion. Just think about it."

Gu Seong-Cheol was willing to put his own advancement on hold for this. However, I had already anticipated things would play out like this the moment I went after Yoon Dong-Gu.

I turned to my team, all watching me with concern. "Don't worry. I've got a plan."

"A plan?"

Just then, I got a call.

Buzz~

[Caller ID: Director Kang Ji-Yung]

"Excuse me."

I held up a hand and answered the call. Kang Ji-Yung's voice was laced with urgency.

-Chief Jung, the singers from Division 4 are all here, protesting over Chief Yoon Dong-Gu's disciplinary action. They're bringing up your name too...Mr. Kang and I will handle it, but could you maybe stay out of the office for a bit?

Kang Ji-Yung and Kang Gam-Chan were offering to clean it up quietly on their own.

However, I answered without hesitation.

"It's fine. I'll go up myself and hear what they have to say." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

If things had reached this point, it was time to begin my full takeover of Hoop Entertainment.

'Alright then. Let's start by locking down Singer Division 4.'