Chapter 28: A Small Ripple (Part 1)

  My cold isn't over yet, and I've just managed to write a chapter... Let me see if I can write some more later...

  Thank you, tired bird scattered remaining flowers how can they be disordered, Chongqing flying flying flying, darling pig ear three classmates' reward

  ==========

  The two of them had just left the gate and sat in the car when Ahn Jun-hee suddenly remembered the vague conversation with the young man earlier, it seemed that the wealthy middle-aged man had helped him get a certain role. Although KBS TV station was selecting actors for more than one drama group, to be on the safe side, he still took the time to send a message to his cousin, asking him to pay attention.

  After getting on the car, Quan Baogen continued to study the forms in his bag. Out of boredom, An Junhe leaned over and took a closer look. Compared to before, many changes had been made to the form. The most eye-catching was a line of words that Quan Baogen was writing:

  Debut project for performing arts and songwriting

  The following is a scattered and unsystematic description of the arrangements for packaging, publicity, etc. The date in the first line left him stunned.

  "Debut as a singer... in 2005?"

  Hearing his puzzled voice, Quan Baogen, who was concentrating on writing, looked up with a smile, adjusted his glasses and said: "Yes, I just changed it. I plan to temporarily not let you debut as a singer, but focus on acting first."

  He said, perhaps fearing An Junhe's emotional reaction to this point, "Originally, the plan for you was to start collecting songs and recording now, and then release an EP when the TV series airs, to solidify your popularity. However, since you've landed the role of second male lead, there's no need to rush. I've calculated that 'Sorry, I Love You' will likely air at the end of the year, considering its filming schedule. With the premiere and reruns, plus overseas imports in Shanghai, it'll be on screen for several months. As one of the main actors, you can maintain exposure for several months with this drama. So why not take your time, wait until early next year, let the show's influence spread further, gather more momentum, and then release a mini-album..."

  In the end, it all comes down to maximizing benefits, An Junhe nodded in agreement with this arrangement.

  After talking for a few more sentences, he found that Quan Baogen had almost overturned all the plans made before and started again from scratch. However, the middle-aged man didn't seem to mind such trouble, and instead became increasingly delighted with each revision.

  "Jun He, you've really given me face this time."

  Quan Baogen sighed, previously his greatest hope was that An Junhe's "Snow Flower" would be noticed by the crew, but unexpectedly, a newcomer like him could rely on his acting skills to gain recognition from the director and screenwriter, and get a major role.

  He has already begun to imagine the scene when he returns to the company and announces the news, and how his colleagues who secretly mocked him and his cold-shouldered superiors will look.

  Especially some people, because they had disagreements with him on company matters before, this time he strongly supported An Junhe, making the high-level hold a reserved attitude towards him. Those people took the opportunity to jump up and down, spreading rumors and hurting others, with an attitude of beating a fallen person. He usually doesn't speak out, but actually remembers everything in his heart, waiting for the day when he can proudly speak out and give them a hard slap.

  It's just that I didn't expect the opportunity to come so soon.

  He smiled slightly at Ahn Jun-ho's words, Gwon Bo-geun thought about counterattacking those people, how could he not think about it? Although he had been obedient and never contacted the company's high-level executives before, since he resisted the company's decision, he was also scolded by some so-called high-level executives several times, which led to his isolation among the trainees. Until now, except for Park Jung-soo and a few other trainees who got along well with him in the past few months, most of the male trainees didn't speak to him anymore.

  These selfish people should also get a slap in the face and receive some discipline.

  As they chatted idly all the way, when they returned to the company, Quan Baogen couldn't wait to report to the president and various directors, while An Junhe went to start his class for today. Although he hadn't officially announced his debut yet, apart from having multiple assistants, everything was no different from a trainee.

  Around noon, Park Jeong-soo, Lee Hyeok-jae and Kim Yeong-un rushed to the company after school and found Ahn Jun-hee practicing dance in the dance studio. As soon as they met, they asked: "Is the song recorded?"

  "No, something's come up, we haven't started filming yet." An Junhe wiped the sweat off his face, intentionally pausing for a moment. Only when all three of them were anxious and repeatedly asked him what had happened did he chuckle and reveal what was going on with the second male lead.

  "Ah! You damned fool, are you deliberately trying to scare people with your heavy breathing?"

  Lee Hye-ja jumped over in dissatisfaction, wanting to press him down and vent his anger, but unfortunately, his physical strength was not up to par. After struggling for a few times, he was kicked by Ahn Jun-hee and fell with his eyes rolling back.

  Next to him, Park Jeong-soo and Kim Yeong-yeon let out a sigh of relief and asked with a hint of jealousy in their tone, "So, you're going to debut as an actor first?"

  "Hmm, just now in the car, Bao Gen Shu showed me his plan. First, he'll debut as an actor, and after the TV series is broadcast, he'll then debut as a singer, at which time he might directly release a mini album."

  "...mini album..."

  The three of them heard this and their mouths began to water. According to the usual process for a singer's debut at that time, they would first participate in various showcases to warm up, wait for an opportunity to release a single EP to test the waters, and as for a mini-album later on, it would depend on the EP achieving good results, and only then would the management company consider whether a newcomer could formally establish themselves in the music industry.

  An Junhe and others completely skipped those processes, didn't even look at market reactions, and directly determined the results.

  "Ah, being an actor is great, the value of one's life changes immediately." Lee Hyeok-jae let out a sour sigh and exchanged a glance with Park Jeong-soo and Kim Yeong-un, all three of them had envy in their eyes that they couldn't hide.

  They are still far from their debut, but as friends, Ahn Jun-hee has already reached this point, with his identity changing every day. It seems that he has already become a star overnight, especially as an actor - which is different from being a singer. If all Korean entertainers were ranked in a pyramid by their status and value, movie actors would undoubtedly be at the top, followed by TV drama actors, then singers and variety show MCs and gagmen. However, with the popularity of "X-Man", MCs and gagmen are gradually becoming more popular than singers.

  Having this identity, even if this drama is not successful this time, it can be used as a ticket to slowly develop in the entertainment industry, which is more glorious than being just a singer.

  The more they thought about it, the more jealous they became. The three of them immediately started making a ruckus, asking him to treat them to dinner. This time was different from yesterday; being able to participate in a big production, no matter what, the pay would be quite generous. They wouldn't worry about how much money he would spend again.

  "Hehe, in a few days, after I sign the contract, I'll treat you guys again." An Junhe smiled and promised.

  Just as they were chatting, it was already lunchtime. The four of them were heading to the cafeteria when An Junhe's phone suddenly rang. He took a look and saw that it was Quan Baogen, so he said to the others: "I'll answer this call, you guys go ahead first and help me order some food!"

  "Got it, hurry up!"

  Three people hurried away quickly, An Junhe picked up the phone, "Hello? Uncle Bao Gen..."

  Before he had even finished speaking, the urgent voice on the other end of the phone made the smile still lingering on his face slowly fade away, replaced by a hint of gloom.

  ……

  "I don't agree with this!"

  In the spacious conference room, several crew members were quietly busy with their own affairs, trying to control their gaze from drifting towards the two office desks in the center of the room that belonged to the director and screenwriter.

  There were several people standing there, with a middle-aged man who was obviously the leader, followed by a young man, and the others were assistants.

  Li Qingxi sat at his desk, slamming the script in his hand and looking at the middle-aged man opposite him with a bad expression. He said coldly: "We've already confirmed the role of the second male lead, what do you mean by suddenly saying to change? Is this TV series being shot by you or us?"

  The words were merciless, and the middle-aged man was somewhat annoyed that she was so tough, but the screenwriter had a lot of power in the crew, so he didn't dare to speak directly, and only frowned: "Am I not discussing this with you? It's just a supporting male lead, it's all the same who gets it..."

  "Is that all you've got? Did you think you could act well?" Li Qingxi sneered, interrupting him. Don't think she's soft-hearted just because she doesn't get angry easily; an honest person is terrifying when they do get angry. Now she was furious - some unknown newcomer had somehow managed to get on the board of directors and actually thought they could use their connections to get into her play.

  Actually, if Ahn Jun-hee wasn't there, she might have agreed to give it a try and give the newcomer an opportunity. But with Ahn Jun-hee's performance in front of her, when this matter was brought up, she didn't agree. At that time, the atmosphere was pretty good, everyone was on the same team, no need to make things awkward. It was just that the next sentence from the director "Why don't we just send him back? A newcomer, how can he be sent away?" made her angry.

  She really liked An Junhe, and she was a bit protective of him. The way he spoke with disdain made her feel like someone was belittling her own child in front of her, which she couldn't tolerate. She immediately retorted stiffly, and the atmosphere suddenly became chilly.

  The repeated provocations made the middle-aged man, who was a director, increasingly indignant. He stiffened his face, gave Li Qingxi a cold glance, snorted in anger, and then turned to Li Hengmin, who had been silent all along, "Director Li, what do you mean?"

  Li Hengmin fell silent for a moment, then shook his head and apologized with a bitter smile: "Sorry, Jin Lishi, the crew has already signed a contract with the actor playing the second male lead. This matter is settled and won't be changed."

  This is obviously an excuse, if a contract was signed, how would Jin Lishi not know?

  His face turned completely black, gritting his teeth and smiling, "Alright alright, since both of you disagree, I'll have to communicate with the platform then...... Hmph! Jing Hao, let's go!"

  He turned around and left immediately, the young man behind him also had a cold face, without even the necessary farewell etiquette, and quickly followed up.

  Everyone has left, Li Hengmin reluctantly said to Li Qingxi who was still angry: "Why are you getting angry? He is after all a director..."

  "What's the big deal about being a director?" Li Qingxi muttered to himself, "There are so many departments in the station, just throw a brick and you can hit a bunch of directors. Who does he think he is? The actor was chosen by me, whether good or bad, it's not up to him to point fingers!"

  *sigh*...

  Li Hengmin sighed, and didn't persuade her anymore. After a pause, he said: "No matter what, he has some status in the industry. If you don't give him face, he might really insist on playing the role of the second male lead. Who knows, the industry might put pressure on us then..."

  At that time, it may be impossible not to hand it over. The power of the director and screenwriter is great, but it is no greater than that of the TV station.

  "He's not capable of that." Li Qingxi hummed, then took out her phone. "I'll inform Ahn Jun-hee's agent. S.M isn't a soft persimmon that anyone can squeeze at will. Let's see how he puts pressure on the station!"

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