In the lobby of the first floor of Cocoa Entertainment's building.
Seo Eunchan, who had been fondly stroking the nameplate under Seo Joon's photo on the wall, quickly regained his composure and headed for the PR team.
Even though they had used good materials to ensure good soundproofing, the sound of the phone ringing penetrated the walls.
"This is something I expected, but it's no joke."
The day after the rebroadcast of "Reinvestigation" Episode 5, calls flooded into Cocoa Entertainment. This was because Seo Joon's agency was registered in the character information section of search engines.
Seo Eunchan swallowed hard and opened the door to the PR team's office.
The sound of the phone ringing assaulted his eardrums. Every phone in the company was ringing, and emails were pouring into the company's inbox. It was chaos. An employee who had answered the phone shouted,
"President! It's MBS!"
"This is SBC!"
Offers for drama and variety show appearances were coming in from all directions. Before his cameo in "Reinvestigation," it was as if they were just poking around, but now it was quite serious.
They were rushing to secure Seo Joon for dramas that were already in production, as well as those that were just starting to gather actors.
Everyone thought that if Seo Joon agreed to appear, they could even pull him into already scheduled dramas.
'Not likely, though.'
In the case of variety shows, sometimes different writers from the same program would contact them separately.
Employees who weren't answering the phone were checking the internet. From KBC's homepage to large community sites, stories about Seo Joon were pouring in.
Even people who didn't watch movies knew about "Hollywood child actor, Seo Joon." When they heard that he would be making a cameo in a drama, they wanted to see it.
"The rerun ratings and the number of views for the rebroadcast are incredible."
"KBC is rebroadcasting episodes 1 to 5 to attract viewers."
"There are also posts asking if Seo Joon will appear again."
"There are a few posts saying they want to see him play soccer."
Among them, people who had watched "Reinvestigation" were looking for the movies Seo Joon had appeared in. Some were watching "Reinvestigation" after seeing the ghost in the KBC broadcast.
As public interest grew, the broadcasting industry was also busy. The phone kept ringing.
PR team leader Kim Suyeon raised her voice.
"What should we do? President!"
Seo Eunchan scratched his cheek.
"Let's turn down all the drama offers for now."
"Wh-what?!"
The heads of the employees who were answering calls and checking the internet turned sharply.
If they just picked and chose, it would be a smooth road, but not doing dramas? No, is he going to make a new movie? Hollywood? Korea?
As the employees' questions piled up, Seo Eunchan spoke.
"Actor Seo Joon wants to do theater."
At those words, a white sheet of paper slipped from the hands of the man who had come to find Seo Eunchan.
Andaho, Seo Joon's manager, who had read all the scripts that had come in over the past two weeks and even written reviews, dropped the dozen or so pages of today's reviews.
Seo Eunchan turned his head at the sound of something falling. He saw Andaho standing at the entrance to the PR team's office, staring at him with a dazed expression. Seo Eunchan smiled brightly and said,
"Good, Andaho. Is now a good time?"
At the president's words, Andaho, a mere employee, nodded reflexively.
* * *
"This is Andaho. I'm 25 years old."
"Hello! I'm Andaho!"
Andaho, who had a rather sturdy build, bowed deeply.
When the president led him somewhere, Andaho wondered where they were going, but it turned out to be Actor Seo Joon's house.
He had imagined that an actor who had even filmed Hollywood movies would live in a spacious house in a wealthy neighborhood with a brave dog, but Seo Joon lived in a regular apartment in a regular neighborhood.
Seo Eunhui and Seo Eunchan laughed at Andaho's tense appearance.
Seo Joon also examined Andaho, who would become his manager.
By chance or fate, there were many kind people around Seo Joon.
Neighbors who lived in the same apartment complex but didn't spread rumors, kindergarten parents who were satisfied with autographs and photos.
If it was just a coincidence, it wouldn't matter, but if it was due to Seongi's influence, it was hard to predict what effect it would have now that he had harbored evil energy.
'Well, I can kind of guess...'
Seo Joon's eyes rolled. Andaho, who had been sitting cross-legged, straightened his shoulders and sat up straight.
Seo Joon, who had been examining him like a cat, smiled. He seemed like a good person.
"Hello, Andaho. I'm Seo Joon."
"Nice to meet you, Actor Seo Joon. I'm Andaho."
When Seo Joon extended his small hand, Andaho's eyes widened. Although he hadn't told even Seo Eunchan, Andaho was a fan of Seo Joon.
Two years ago, when he saw "William" in the movie theater, Andaho cried so hard that he thought the theater would collapse.
His life had been about just enduring day by day without becoming a burden to his single mother, but then he had a dream of supporting an actor who could perform like that.
Since then, he had worked hard. He studied the entertainment industry, joined a new management company, and took on all kinds of odd jobs.
He had even managed an actor who wasn't very famous but acted like a star, and out of curiosity about how actors worked, he had tried being an extra. He quit after four NGs.
After two years, which was a short time, his first company went bankrupt, and he wandered around before joining Cocoa Entertainment.
Since there were only BrownBlack and the next trainee group would likely be an idol group, Andaho, who wanted to manage an actor, was looking for a new agency.
Then a rumor spread within the company. The rumor that Actor Seo Joon had signed with Cocoa Entertainment.
Although he couldn't believe it, it turned out to be true. This was because a job posting for a manager had been announced.
Although it wasn't explicitly stated, it was clear that the job posting for a manager, which came after the rumor about Seo Joon joining Cocoa Entertainment, was for Seo Joon's manager.
Andaho immediately applied and was accepted. Among several candidates, he was ultimately chosen.
Andaho shook Seo Joon's hand with trembling hands. Seeing him in person, he felt even more like a child. The fact that this child could perform like that made him feel a deep respect.
And now, Andaho could help Seo Joon's acting.
"I'll really do my best."
It was sincere. Seo Joon, who felt Andaho's sincerity, smiled widely. From his large build, it seemed like he could burst into tears at any moment, but his honest heart was evident.
"Talk to me casually! Andaho!"
As Seo Eunhui watched the two shake hands, she nudged Seo Eunchan.
"You seem to have a good eye for people."
"Andaho tried to hide it, but it was obvious that he's a fan of Seo Joon. Everyone in the company knows."
Seo Eunchan sighed, thinking of the reports Andaho had brought.
He had asked Andaho to analyze a few, but Andaho had analyzed almost all the scripts that had come in for Seo Joon.
Seo Joon, looking tired, thought about which roles would be good for him now, next year, and even a few years later.
Everyone realized that Andaho, who looked refreshed whenever Seo Joon was mentioned, was a fan.
"Still, he can distinguish between work and personal life and does his job well. He'll be a good manager."
Seeing this, Seo Eunchan jokingly thought about letting him talk to Seo Joon, but Andaho firmly refused, saying it would be a nuisance.
After the manager introduction, they looked at the clock and saw that it was almost time for Im Joon to finish work. To meet Im Joon as well, Andaho decided to stay for dinner at Seo Joon's place.
To make up for Andaho, who couldn't leave work, Seo Eunchan gave him a day off.
Seo Eunchan, who went grocery shopping on Seo Eunhui's errand, and Seo Eunhui, who was cooking in the kitchen, left Andaho sitting stiffly in the living room.
Seo Joon, who was solving a workbook at the living room table, which he had started when he entered elementary school, spoke to Andaho, who was sitting awkwardly.
"Brother, are you bored?"
"Huh? No, I'm fine. Why? Is there something you don't know?"
"No."
Seo Joon put down his pencil and went to his room. He brought back some scripts he had found interesting from the bookshelf and gave them to Andaho.
"Read these if you're bored."
"Ah, thanks."
Seo Joon finished his workbook, and Andaho started reading the scripts. Occasionally, notes that seemed to be written by Seo Joon himself moved Andaho's heart.
[I want to do this]
[This is not good]
[This script is very different from the movie]
[The director changed in the middle]
Andaho opened his notebook and organized the characteristics of the roles Seo Joon wanted to do and the genres of the movies. He also wrote down the titles of the scripts he didn't like. He would look them up when he got home.
In the quiet of Seo Joon's house, the sound of pencils and the chopping of the kitchen knife were like music.
Seo Joon, who was diligently solving his workbook, turned his head to look at Andaho. He liked how Andaho was engrossed in reading the scripts. Seo Joon smiled and focused back on his workbook.
"My brother-in-law is here."
The quiet didn't last long. Seo Eunchan and Im Joon opened the front door and came in. Seo Joon jumped up and ran to Im Joon, hugging him.
Im Joon smiled widely and lifted Seo Joon.
"Seo Joon, you said your manager was coming?"
"Yep! It's Andaho!"
Andaho, who seemed to have relaxed, stiffened again and bowed.
"Hello, I'm Andaho."
"Ah, hello. I'm Im Joon, Seo Joon's dad."
With Im Joon's arrival, dinner began. When Seo Joon talked about what happened at school, the adults enthusiastically responded. Seo Joon became even more excited.
He talked about how many presentations he had given, playing soccer on the playground, and moving on to the next textbook at the music school. As Seo Joon chattered, Andaho's tense shoulders gradually relaxed.
After eating the dessert Seo Eunchan had bought, Andaho and Seo Eunchan left Seo Joon's house.
"How was it?"
"Huh?"
"Seo Joon. He's more ordinary than you thought, right?"
"Ah, yes."
Holding the steering wheel, Seo Eunchan asked, and Andaho, sitting in the passenger seat, nodded.
"Seo Joon is a good actor and smarter than his peers, but you don't need to feel burdened. Just treat him like a younger brother. Stop him if he seems to be in danger. Listen to his reasons if he wants to do something. Contact me if something big happens."
"Ah, I understand."
"There's a brother named Kim Heesang."
"Huh?"
"He knows a lot about Seo Joon. My brother-in-law and sister also know a lot about Seo Joon, but in different areas. For management, it might be better to get advice from Heesang. I'll introduce you to him next time."
"Ah, thank you."
"Andaho."
At Seo Eunchan's low voice, Andaho responded.
"Yes, President."
"Please take good care of our Seo Joon."
Seo Eunhui, Im Joon, and Seo Eunchan had been saying that all day.
"Please take good care of our Seo Joon."
Andaho, deeply moved by the concern of the people around Seo Joon, said with determination.
"Yes, I'll do my best!"
* * *
Although they had entrusted Seo Joon to Cocoa Entertainment, Seo Joon and Seo Eunhui didn't just sit back. The two of them searched the internet together.
"This one is too old."
"This one is for 10 years and older."
There were few plays for children. The roles were few, and there were height and age restrictions. Especially for 8-year-old Seo Joon, the age restrictions meant he couldn't even apply for auditions yet.
"Seo Joon, do you really want to do theater?"
"Yep!"
The play he had seen with his brother Ji-seok left a deep impression. The actors performing right in front of him, the audience seats so close that he could almost hear their breathing. That small theater had stuck in Seo Joon's heart.
"I want to perform so close to the audience."
What would it feel like to see the audience's reactions to my performance directly?
Unlike the staff who had to focus on filming, the audience would be there to see his performance. They would focus on his acting without worrying about editing or box office success.
While movies and dramas were good, he wanted to see the vivid and direct reactions, to see them with his own eyes. Just thinking about it made his heart race.
Seeing Seo Joon's sparkling eyes, Seo Eunhui rolled up her sleeves.
"I see. Let's look a bit more, then?"
Seo Joon used his phone, and Seo Eunhui used her laptop to search the internet.