The Genius Manager Who Sees Algorithms, Episode 019
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19. Once the Stage Is Set
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“I’m not really doing anything special… Why? Do I look like I’ve gained a lot of weight?”
True to her low self-esteem, she immediately glanced down at her own arms. She looked ready to drop the spoon she had been picking at her food with right then and there.
“That’s not it. You look much thinner than in your photos. I just wondered if you were on a strict diet.”
“Ah….”
Only then did a look of relief wash over Oh Seri’s face.
“Maybe it’s because I’m nervous about starting work again… I haven’t been sleeping well lately. So, I guess I’ve lost some weight. My mom says it’s just my baby fat fading naturally.”
“Ah, that could be it. Your facial lines are incredibly sharp. You’ll look great on camera, won’t you?”
“Thank you.”
She smiled cautiously, looking shy. However, my heart grew anxious in response. The algorithm reading [Probability of Death: 95%] was still hovering above Oh Seri’s head.
‘It’s definitely related to her health.’
In reality, Oh Seri was much thinner than she appeared in her profile photos. That was why I had asked her about dieting—to naturally gauge her condition. It was a question that would make her feel good while allowing me to check on her health. And, as I had feared, my suspicions were confirmed.
‘I haven’t really done anything… but I’ve just been losing weight lately.’
It was true that at her young age, weight could drop easily. But I had never heard of unexplained weight loss being a sign of good health.
Even now, Oh Seri was scratching her left arm. At the same time, she rubbed the area around her solar plexus as if she were feeling discomfort. It seemed to be a symptom of some illness, but without medical knowledge, I couldn’t be certain.
‘But I can’t just blurt out that I think she’s sick….’
I had a rough idea because of the grade I saw, but she was completely in the dark. Besides, if my prediction turned out to be wrong, it could create a massive, unnecessary prejudice.
While I was deep in thought, Park Hyung-soo continued explaining the newly added contract clauses.
“Oh, and we’ve added a clause that supports self-development expenses, you know? You can request reimbursement quarterly, so if there’s anything you want to learn or any lessons you need, just let us know. Our company’s benefits are top-tier.”
Park Hyung-soo’s loyalty to the company was truly impressive. Then again, PJ Entertainment did treat its people better than anyone else in the industry. At that moment, a thought flashed through my mind. Was there a health check-up system?
“Senior, is there a health check-up support program?”
“Hey, this is PJ. Of course there is. Seri, if you need a check-up, just let us know anytime.”
“Yes. But I’m fine for now. I’m only twenty-three.”
“True, you’re at the age where you could chew through rocks.”
Yes, this was it. A health check-up. I brought up the topic naturally.
“Still, since we’re on the subject, why don’t you get a check-up?”
Oh Seri looked flustered by my sudden suggestion.
“Me?”
She looked a bit bewildered. Well, if someone had told me to get a health check-up at twenty-three, I would have reacted the same way. But there was no set order for when one’s time might come. I understood her confusion, but from my perspective, this was the most rational choice.
“Didn’t you hear him? She said she’s twenty-three.”
Park Hyung-soo chimed in with a smirk. It was only natural for the two of them to find it absurd, as they didn’t know the full story.
“I’m just worried because you said you’ve been losing weight for no reason. And didn’t you postpone our lunch appointment earlier because you weren’t feeling well?”
“That’s true, but….”
“It’s good to get checked out before you start working in earnest. You’re going to be incredibly busy and exhausted, so it’s better to check now. Honestly, hearing that you’ve lost weight without a clear reason makes me worry.”
After some hesitation in the relaxed atmosphere, Oh Seri finally nodded.
“If that’s the reason, then I’ll gladly do it.”
Fortunately, Oh Seri accepted my opinion without much resistance.
“Great. Then while we’re at it, let’s go for a comprehensive screening, shall we? The kind that checks for cancer and everything.”
For a moment, a look of doubt crossed Oh Seri’s face, as if to ask, ‘Is that really necessary?’ Still, I had to push while the iron was hot.
“Understood. I’m not busy these days, so I’ll look into it.”
But what I wanted was the earliest possible check-up.
‘Looking into it isn’t enough. She might not do it, or she might keep putting it off.’
That’s how people were. Things that didn’t feel urgent were always pushed to the bottom of the priority list too easily. Especially when it comes to health.
“I’ll take care of the scheduling.”
“Pardon? No, it’s okay. I can do that much myself.”
“Oh Seri, you’re my actor now. Managing an actor’s health is part of my job.”
At the mention of “my actor,” Oh Seri looked at me as if she were slightly touched. The know-how of making the other person feel good while guiding them toward the action I wanted—this was the high-level skill I had acquired from my previous job. Dealing with difficult people had actually come in handy.
“Then, I won’t refuse. Thank you for looking out for me.”
“I’m just earning points in advance. For a future top star.”
At my words, Oh Seri smiled brightly for the first time. I returned the smile.
Of course, I was burning up with anxiety on the inside.
* * *
After the meal, I personally booked the check-up date and sent Oh Seri off. Park Hyung-soo, who had accompanied us, looked at me.
“Hey, why are you being so sensitive? A health check-up for a twenty-three-year-old out of the blue.”
From Park Hyung-soo’s perspective, it was definitely an overstep. He must have also found it suspicious that I had personally handled the booking. It was the duty of a subordinate to smooth things over.
“Actually… My father once ignored similar symptoms and collapsed from a myocardial infarction. So, whenever I hear about someone feeling unwell, losing weight, or having high blood pressure… I can’t help but take it personally. I’m sorry if I overstepped.”
Park Hyung-soo’s eyes widened, as if he realized his mistake.
“Oh… I didn’t know that happened… Is he doing okay now?”
“Yes, he’s recovered a lot. He even goes for light walks these days.”
“That’s a huge relief. Health really is everything.”
In an instant, his face was filled with genuine concern. He was a senior with a rich sensibility and a soft heart.
“Well, I’m sure there’s nothing seriously wrong. But it still weighs on my mind. And since she’s my actor now, I thought it would be best to be thorough from the start.”
“Geez. You really are a good one. To think that much about your actor… I knew it from the moment I first saw you.”
He nodded with a satisfied smile. He was a senior who was moved by the strangest things.
In truth, saying that I felt concerned whenever someone was sick or showed signs of trouble… that wasn’t just something I said to make Park Hyung-soo understand; it was my honest feeling. When I first heard the news that my father had collapsed, the world had truly gone dark. His condition had been so poor that he’d needed two stent procedures. I found myself lost in thought.
‘Come to think of it, being healthy is a massive stroke of luck, yet I always forget that.’
I couldn’t hide my heavy heart, and naturally, thoughts of my parents surfaced. I sat on a bench in front of the office for a moment and called my mom. The phone rang a few times, but she was slow to pick up.
Is she trying to sleep?
I checked the time; it was already past 9 PM. Well, in the countryside, that was a late hour.
-…Hello?
Then, I heard my mother’s voice on the other end, sounding as if she had just woken up.
“Mom, did you get your health check-up this year?”
I blurted out my business, forgetting to even ask how she was.
-Huh? Why so suddenly?
“Did you get it or not? Just tell me that first.”
-Of course I did. I got it when your dad went for it. Why?
“Just in case. Nothing came up, right?”
-Of course not. I’m as fit as a fiddle, so don’t you worry.
“And Dad?”
-If that man had something wrong with him, do you think he’d be sitting still? He would’ve been bedridden by now.
-No, why is this woman talking nonsense in the middle of the night? What’s wrong with me?
I could hear my father’s voice through the phone.
-Are you being a bit too dramatic about your aches?
-What do you mean I’m being dramatic? When? When?
-Whenever you’re even slightly sick, you moan like a professional opera singer.
-I, I never!
Even after waking up from sleep, they were bickering, just like they did all day. But today, even the sound of them arguing felt heartwarming. Thankfully, they were both healthy. That was enough confirmation for me.
“I’m going to go back to work now….”
I said goodbye, barely audible, and hung up the phone in a hurry.
* * *
Back at the office, I immediately reported the situation regarding Oh Seri to Team Leader Dokgo.
“Good job. It’s better to check everything when you’re suspicious. That’s how you survive in this business. Besides, she doesn’t have any scheduled work, so it’s not a problem.”
Team Leader Dokgo seemed unconcerned. But I couldn’t be.
‘I’d rather there be nothing wrong at all….’
I didn’t show it on the outside, but my heart was heavy. For now, I had no choice but to wait for the results.
“Jung-woo, there’s a change in the schedule, so check it out.”
At Park Hyung-soo’s words, the tasks I had set aside came to mind.
“Yes, I’ll check it right away.”
Scenes changed, and the order naturally shifted as well. I had clearly been working all day, yet there was still a mountain of things to process.
What should I do about the Yang Jimin issue, too…. Two actresses with the worst possible synergy in a web drama where chemistry was everything. My head started spinning again.
“Team Leader, did Jimin come to the office by any chance?”
Just then, Pi Young-ro, who had returned after finishing Kim Chang-woo’s schedule, asked. At the mention of Jimin, my ears naturally perked up.
“Jimin? No. I didn’t hear that she was coming, why?”
“I saw her car in the underground parking lot.”
“What are you talking about? She said she wanted to rest properly after finishing the drama, so we cleared her entire schedule. That’s why I told Dong-min to take a break, too.”
“Really? It was definitely Jimin’s car….”
Pi Young-ro tilted his head in confusion. Just then, the office door opened, and Yang Jimin walked in.
“See? I told you it was Jimin’s car.”
However, a look of bewilderment crossed Team Leader Dokgo’s face at her unexpected appearance.
“What’s going on, coming in without a word? And what’s with your face?”
“…It’s because I have something to tell you.”
An ominous atmosphere settled over the room.
“Is that so?”
Team Leader Dokgo scanned the people in the room once before rising from his seat.
“Let’s go inside.”
As the team leader headed into the small conference room right next to the office, Yang Jimin followed him. For some reason, the expression on her face as she followed him didn't look good.
But that wasn't the important thing. I had to stop her from appearing in that web drama somehow….
‘But how can I make her quit on her own?’
No matter how much I thought about it, no method came to mind. How great would it be if I had an ability like mind control at a time like this?
‘Sigh. Should I just cause a scene today?’
I imagined myself suddenly bursting through that door and shouting, “You can’t take that role!” I didn’t even need to run a simulation. If I did that, I’d just be branded a lunatic. What should I do? My mind was a mess.
Wait, though?
Why is Yang Jimin’s expression so dark?
That isn’t the face of someone who just finished the final shoot of a drama.
At that moment….
A thought suddenly flashed through my mind.
‘Could it be… the web drama issue?’
The expression I saw in the parking lot yesterday came to mind. If that was the case… What if she came here because she wanted to drop out?
‘This is an opportunity….’
If the stage was set, I was confident I could persuade her. Instinctively, I focused all my attention toward the conference room.
“Jimin, I didn’t hear you correctly, did I?”
Just then, Team Leader Dokgo’s voice drifted through the slightly ajar door of the conference room. Thanks to that, every eye and ear in the office turned toward the room.
The two of them were reflected in the transparent glass door. Team Leader Dokgo’s mouth was agape, and Yang Jimin had her head slightly bowed.
“Say it again. Did I hear you right?”
“…….”
Even at Team Leader Dokgo’s question, Yang Jimin couldn’t easily open her mouth.
“What do you mean you suddenly can’t do it now?”
“…I’m sorry.”
Given Yang Jimin’s schedule, if Team Leader Dokgo was reacting like that…. It had to be about the *Academy Romance* casting. Was the stage really being set for me like this?
Then, Team Leader Dokgo’s voice was heard once more.
“Kim Jung-woo, come in here for a second.”
The Genius Manager Who Sees Algorithms, Episode 19
Author | The-Bro
Publisher | ONE store Co., Ltd.
Published by | ONE store Co., Ltd.
Registration | No. 2016-000040
Address | 20, Pangyoyeok-ro 146beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, ONE store Co., Ltd.
ISBN | 979-11-6795-278-3
Price | Not for Sale
※ This book was published by ONE store Co., Ltd. under a contract with the copyright holder. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution without the company's permission is prohibited by copyright law.
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