The Sacred Manager Life - Chapter 129
To cast Min A-young, I made a reverse proposal to Studio Miracle.
“Actress Min A-young wants to appear in our show?”
Producer Bae Jeong-il’s jaw dropped.
It was understandable—Min A-young’s recognition was far higher than Shin Yoon-seol, the lead actress.
Wasn’t she the type of actress who had production companies lining up the moment news of her comeback surfaced?
Yet here she was, saying she didn’t mind taking a supporting role.
For the production company, it was like hitting the jackpot.
“You’re really okay with any role? Even if it’s not the lead?”
“I want to stay until the end, so no minor roles or cameos. The lead’s already been decided as Shin Yoon-seol, right? I’m not here to steal her spot. Please discuss with the writer and assign me another role.”
“Wow, I can’t believe it. Actress Min A-young wants to join Ju Ok-seon’s drama.”
Convincing CEO Lee Dae-hwan was also a struggle.
He was worried about her starting her comeback with a makjang drama after two years.
From his perspective, it was a valid concern, but I had seen the future—there was no other choice.
The visions shown by the gift of prophecy always come true, one way or another.
“I’ll call writer Ju Ok-seon tomorrow. Come with Min A-young. I’ll only believe it if I hear it directly.”
“Of course. We’ll come together.”
The next day—
I called from the parking lot, but she told me to come up for a moment.
When I entered, she was waiting for me at the entrance.
Wearing a negligee so sheer I could see everything.
“…….”
I was so stunned I couldn’t even speak.
Blushing, she spun around in front of me as if to show off.
“I wanted to try it at the entrance like newlyweds. We’re past the point of caring about locations, aren’t we?”
Then she pulled me inside.
Because of all the sucking, we ended up late for the meeting.
“Why does your skin look so radiant? Did you get a treatment?”
Writer Ju Ok-seon marveled at Min A-young’s face.
Since I’d filled her with yang energy beforehand, her skin was glowing.
She glanced at me and smiled shyly.
“Thank you for the compliment. You must’ve been surprised that I suddenly decided to join. You probably had another actress in mind.”
This time, I was surprised.
She usually acted like a haughty queen, but here she was, speaking so demurely!
“No, no, I’m grateful. Who would stop Min A-young from joining? I should be bowing in thanks.”
Producer Bae Jeong-il waved his hands dismissively.
“The issue is the role. Are you really okay with not being the lead?”
“Yes, I heard the lead roles are already set. I just want to stay until the end, so as long as it’s not a cameo, I’m fine.”
“Do you have a role in mind?”
“It wasn’t in the script I received, but I’m interested in the female lead’s rival. From the synopsis, she’s a quirky chaebol third-gen.”
It was a supporting role mentioned in the character descriptions but didn’t appear until after Episode 2.
“She appears from Episode 4. Since it’s a significant supporting role, that should work. Wait—if we’re casting you, we’ll need to expand her scenes. Producer Bae, that okay?”
“Of course! As long as we stick to the filming schedule, change whatever you want.”
“Great. Let’s do our best, A-young.”
“I’ll be in your care, writer-nim.”
The meeting ended warmly with a handshake between the two.
Before leaving, Producer Bae called me aside.
“I’ll handle the contract in person. I haven’t been to your new office since the move. I should also check in with CEO Lee Dae-hwan.”
“You know the CEO?”
“We met often when I was just a manager. I tried to stop her from joining a girl group—she really went through a lot.”
That was an understatement—she nearly lost her company.
“Now that you’re under Fine Entertainment, things must be easier. No more loan sharks.”
“It’s technically a subsidiary, but we don’t get much support from the main company. That’s why this project is so important. We have two of our actresses in it.”
“With writer Ju Ok-seon, ratings won’t be a concern. And with Min A-young too? What’s there to worry about? I’ve got a good feeling about this. My instincts are usually right.”
“Well, I’ll leave it to you, Producer Bae.”
I had no idea then.
That it wouldn’t be two of our actresses appearing—but three.
Fine Entertainment Chairman’s Office —
“A makjang drama?”
Chairman Park Beom-joon repeated with disbelief.
“Yes. You know Ju Ok-seon, right? The writer of Mother’s Two Faces.”
“That’s not the point. Why cast A-young in that? After two years away, her comeback is a makjang drama? Does that make sense?”
“We agreed not to interfere with subsidiary labels.”
When Division Head Yoon Sang-ho replied dismissively, the chairman’s subordinate cut in.
“She’s too valuable to waste on something like this. She should pick a proper project and become So-yeon’s rival again.”
He tapped the desk with his fingertips.
A habit when deep in thought.
“Whose idea was this? A-young wouldn’t suddenly choose a makjang drama on her own.”
“Who else? Your favorite.”
“Joo-won?”
“Yes. He’s been following not just So-yeon but A-young too.”
“Seriously, is he collecting actresses now?”
“He collects girl groups too.”
The chairman let out a dry laugh and leaned back in his chair.
“Let’s wait and see. He wouldn’t cast her without a reason.”
“Hmm…”
Knowing Joo-won’s track record, he couldn’t outright oppose it.
The kid always delivered surprising results, even in the most absurd situations.
“Find out what the drama’s about and who’s in it. If Joo-won picked it, I should at least take a look.”
“I’ll brief you. Check the news first—the production company and network already released press materials.”
“Got it.”
Chairman Park opened his laptop and began searching for articles.
[Min A-young returns after 2 years… with a makjang drama?]
[The queen of makjang meets the top actress… What’s next for the Pyeongchang-dong heiress?]
[Not even the lead… Min A-young’s bold comeback choice sparks buzz]
[Ju Ok-seon and Bae Jeong-il’s new project takes flight with Shin Yoon-seol and Min A-young]
The entertainment sections were already flooded with news of Min A-young’s return.
I met Shin Yoon-seol at the first script reading.
“Who’s this? What have you been doing for two years?”
She hugged Min A-young tightly.
The atmosphere was like a long-lost family reunion, making Min A-young look awkward.
“Long time no see, unnie. You haven’t changed.”
They’d worked together before, so they seemed on good terms.
“I’m always the same. But why are you taking a supporting role? Shouldn’t we switch?”
“I’m not here to steal your spot. The lead was yours from the start—why would I interfere?”
Listening to them, she didn’t seem like the type to steal someone’s man.
Was that why the prophecy showed me that future? To stop such an ending?
As I was lost in thought, Shin Yoon-seol locked eyes with me.
“Huh? The civilian hero.”
“Hello, Actress Shin Yoon-seol. Today, I’m here as Min A-young’s manager.”
“Ah, I see. A-young, you’re in good hands.”
“Of course. Very good hands.”
She smirked at me after dropping that innuendo.
Shin Yoon-seol tilted her head, confused.
I leaned in and whispered in her ear.
‘If you do that again in public, it’s a week of no sex.’
Gasp!
She looked at me like her world had collapsed.
The imaginary sound effect was almost audible.
Just then, Producer Bae and writer Ju Ok-seon entered.
“Everyone’s here. Let’s start with introductions. Don’t just say your name—share why you joined and your aspirations.”
Since they were filming behind-the-scenes content, they encouraged natural self-promotion.
The actors, understanding the director’s intent, introduced themselves before the script reading began.
“What did you think of Yoon-seol unnie?”
Min A-young asked in the car on the way back.
“Like you and So-yeon said, she didn’t seem like the type to steal someone’s man. She seemed too kind for that.”
“Right. Yoon-seol unnie would never do that.”
Her phone rang—it was Cha So-yeon.
“Answer it and tell her we’re driving.”
Min A-young took the call.
“Hey, unnie. We’re heading back after the script reading. Really? Okay, we’ll come straight over.”
Hanging up, she turned to me.
“She says she has something to tell us about Yoon-seol unnie. We’re going to her place.”
Our destination changed.
Cha So-yeon’s Apartment —
“I had someone look into it. So far, there’s no relationship between the CEO and Yoon-seol unnie.”
“Then what was the affair Joo-won saw?”
“That’s the weird part. That CEO has a messy history with women. It never made the news, but he’s cheated on his wife two or three times.”
“What a trash human.”
“Exactly. Does Yoon-seol unnie seem like the type to have an affair with that guy?”
It was strange.
Not only did she not seem like the cheating type, but why would she secretly meet such a scumbag?
A man who’d already cheated multiple times?
“The wife’s no saint either.”
“His current wife?”
“Yeah. She knows about his affairs but acts like it’s nothing. Either she’s extremely tolerant, or she’s biding her time to strike back.”
Either way, she was something else.
Both women turned to stare at me.
I smiled, but a chill ran down my spine.
“Joo-won, you wouldn’t cheat, right? You’ve got four stunning women.”
“When would he even have time? He’s too busy with us.”
“R-right.”
The ominous mood made me stammer.
Why was I the one getting grilled?
“But if… just if… Joo-won ever cheated…”
Cha So-yeon’s gaze darkened.
She was drifting into her own world again.
Afraid of what she might say next, I quickly cut in.
“I won’t cheat. How could I, with So-yeon, A-young, Yeoreum, and Yuna? It’s impossible, so don’t even think about it. I’m more than satisfied with the four of you, so don’t worry.”
“Satisfied…”
I’d pulled the wrong trigger.
“Who satisfies you the most?”