Chapter 34 : Let’s reach ten million (3)

[Title: The Heirs Is Over]

What do I live for now?

Recommendations: 11 Dislikes: 0

ᄂI know, I only worked while looking forward to Wednesdays.

ᄂIt hit a peak viewership rating of 40%.

[Title: The Original Ending Was Supposed to Be Kim Tak and Uriel]

I heard from an industry insider that writer Kang Eungsook had originally revised the ending script to connect Kim Tak and Uriel.
But for some reason, they decided to stick with the original script.

Recommendations: 7 Dislikes: 3

ᄂWasn’t it because Kim Siyeon was too young? But considering audience reactions, Uriel was definitely the right choice lol.

ᄂLol, wasn’t Uriel the obvious choice? They built up the narrative so much. Poor Siyeon.

ᄂI heard Kim Siyeon personally went to the writer and said she couldn’t do it.

ᄂLoo, I heard that too.

ᄂBut would Kang Eungsook change the script just because the youngest cast member said so?

ᄂSiyeon is only 14 years old. The idea of her filming a love scene with Lee Minwoo never made sense in the first place. This makes sense.

ᄂProtect Siyeon at all costs.

ᄂI just finished watching it… is this really the right ending?!!??

“Hmmm… what a shame…”

Writer Kang Eungsook took off her glasses and closed her laptop.

She habitually browsed ‘Kim Siyeon Gallery’ now.

There were many places where people posted about the drama.

But when it came to gauging reactions to <The Heirs>, nothing beat this place.

For some reason, <The Heirs> viewers were always divided over Siyeon.

At the beginning, and even according to the official information, it was clear that the main character of <The Heirs> was none other than Cha Eunseo.

A Cinderella story of a poor girl who entered an elite high school through an equal opportunity scholarship.

Naturally, an average person would immerse themselves in Cha Eunseo’s story and root for her happiness.

Yet, oddly enough, as the drama progressed, the audience became more invested in Uriel.

By the end, it even felt like Uriel was competing for the protagonist role.

Amusingly, even writer Kang Eungsook ended up adding more layers to Uriel’s story, unintentionally supporting this shift.

It wasn’t because she was swayed by audience reactions.

She just wanted to do it.

There was something about Siyeon’s acting that had an inexplicable power.

No, it was simply a matter of overwhelming skill.

It didn’t make sense. But it was happening.

“This year’s Best New Actress award is already decided…”

Well, what’s done is done.

The only thing left this year is the awards ceremony.

After that, Kang Eungsook would start writing her next project immediately.

But that project wouldn’t air right away.

It would be a script entirely inspired by Siyeon’s acting.

She had already decided on the next protagonist in her heart.

“The ticket sales are slowing down a bit… But at this rate, it’ll hit 10 million, Siyeon.
Your first film reaching 10 million… That’s insane, Siyeon! Hahaha!”

Jaeyoung beamed as he stared at his computer screen.

<Here Heart> was racing toward 10 million tickets sold as the year-end approached.

The final episode of <The Heirs> had aired, and the awards ceremony was next week.

Jaeyoung was ecstatic, saying Siyeon had left a strong impression despite her small role.

Every day, he checked ratings and ticket sales, eagerly reporting them to Siyeon.

“At this rate, we’ll be moving into a new office soon. Siyeon is a treasure.”

He showered her with endless praise and admiration.

But realistically, when looking at revenue distribution, Jaeyoung wouldn’t be taking home much.

Siyeon was keeping 90% of the earnings.

Even so, Jaeyoung was managing everything remarkably well on his own.

He was certainly talented.

Siyeon’s instincts never failed her.

Of course, all the money she made went straight to her parents’ bank account.

After all, it was a debt she needed to repay.

And as a rookie, her appearance fees weren’t that high yet.

But according to Jaeyoung, her next project would allow her to negotiate a higher rate.

With growing earnings, she could soon settle her debts.

“Siyeon, you’ll keep working next year, right?
This is the perfect time for you!
Even at your young age, your acting range is so wide that you could land a lead role by high school.”

“If I find a project I like.”

“Of course, of course! Plenty of offers are coming in. I’ll filter through them and let you know.”

Jaeyoung grinned as he got back to work.

He was quite different from how the public perceived him.

One would expect him to start signing more artists and expanding the company.

But that didn’t seem to be the case.

Growing the agency would increase his share of the earnings.

As if reading her mind, Jaeyoung spoke up.

“…Siyeon. I’ve made a decision.”

“What decision?”

“This company. I’m going to invest everything into you.”

“…What do you mean?”

“Our agency, AS Entertainment, will be solely dedicated to managing you. I don’t know what will happen in the distant future, but for now, I’m going to nurture you to perfection.”

“…Why?”

Jaeyoung was still smiling.

But now, he looked somewhat bittersweet.

“I just… want to. Managing too many artists is exhausting.And if we grow too big, we’ll attract unnecessary competition. But most of all!”

Jaeyoung smacked his desk and stood up.

His eyes were gleaming.

“You’re going to be a global superstar, Siyeon! Just having you is more valuable than a hundred other artists!”

Is that so?

He was being dramatic again.

Siyeon gave a half-hearted nod and took a sip of cola.

“In this industry, your market value can skyrocket beyond limits. And I believe the entertainment industry will continue to grow. Look at Hollywood. Actors like Tom Cross make as much money from one movie
as an entire company does in a year. Our country will reach that level soon.”

Hmm, maybe. Hollywood did operate on a different scale.

She figured it was time to study the industry’s financial trends.

For now, following Jaeyoung’s lead seemed wise.

It wasn’t about trusting him.

It was just that their interests aligned, and Siyeon’s ability to read people was sharp.

She had no doubt that Jaeyoung would never betray her.

Watching him reminded her of someone from her past life.

Gilhim, her former lieutenant for many years.

Now that she thought about it, they had quite a few similarities.

“…Alright. Then I guess I should start filming commercials too.”

“That part is still being discussed with Chanel.

As expected from a global luxury brand, they’re quite stuck-up.

But I’ll bring good news soon.

There are also a few other brands that made offers, but I need to think it over a bit more.

Since advertising is directly tied to an actor’s image, you need to take on high-end commercials from the start.

If you just take whatever comes your way, you’ll end up as a cheap actor.”

“Yes. I’ll leave it to you.”

“Oh, by the way, are you interested in appearing on variety shows?

We’re getting a lot of interview and talk show requests.

I think it’d be a good idea to do them at a time like this.”

“…I’ll think about it.”

Variety shows and interviews.

Usually, actors appear on them during breaks between projects.

But for some reason, I didn’t feel like doing that right now.

Even in my past life, I always took breaks at the end of the year.

Other than the awards ceremony, I had no plans to work until the new year.

Besides, variety shows still didn’t appeal to me.

That was mainly because of ‘Garterbelt.’

With the unpredictable nature of variety shows, there was no way to control what parts of me would be caught on camera.

I didn’t want to create embarrassing moments.

Until I thoroughly studied how variety show cameras worked, I planned to avoid them.

“Alright, I got it. Want me to give you a ride home?”

“No, it’s fine. I’m watching a movie with Ji-young today.”

“Oh, <Mission Possible 4>? Now that I think about it, you really love spy and action movies. You’re into martial arts too.”

“Yeah. Well, they’re fun.”

“That movie is actually causing a slight drop in <Here Heart>’s ticket sales right now.

But whatever. Have fun and be safe.”

The famous international spy film <Mission Possible>.

The latest installment, starring Tom Cross, had just premiered in Korea for the year-end season.

Since it was such a well-known movie, it was slightly affecting <Here Heart>’s box office performance.

But that didn’t matter to me.

There was no way I could skip watching the pinnacle of spy films, <Mission Possible>.

“Siyeon!”

When I arrived at the theater, Ji-young was already waiting.

“I’m not late, right? Let’s go in quickly.”

“Siyeon, why are you breathing so hard? Are you that excited?”

“Of course.”

I could hold back on a lot of things, but not this.

What kind of insane stunts would they show this time?

Of course, compared to my skills, they were still lacking.

But in this world, this was as good as action got.

I couldn’t resist.

I guess I really am a fan after all.

“Oh, by the way, did you hear? Tom Cross is coming to Korea early next year.”

“What? Really?”

Tom Cross is coming to Korea?

No way.

One of my biggest dreams as an actor was to work with him.

The most shocking thing I’d ever seen him do
was when he filmed a scene hanging from an airplane in mid-flight—without any safety gear.

That was something I had never experienced myself.

Of course, that was mainly because airplanes didn’t exist in my past life.

Still, knowing that there was an actor in this world willing to take such bold risks…

It was thrilling news.

And now, that very person was coming to Korea.

I really hoped I could meet him.

“Yeah. He’s coming for an event promoting the new movie.

I think he’ll do a stage greeting in Korea.

Probably in the first week of January, after the awards season is over.”

“H-how do I get to see him?”

“No idea.”

Not helpful at all when it matters.

I need to remember this and tell Jae-young.

With my breath coming out in short puffs, I focused on watching <Mission Possible 4>.