The Crazy Mercenary Commander Goes to Work in the Entertainment Industry

”You’re saying ’House of the Daytime Moon’ can become the springboard for going global?”

At the words Kang Jae-ha had thrown out, Lee Chan-hoo lazily scratched his chin.

”Domestic, maybe, but global’s a bit of a stretch, isn’t it? We don’t even know how ’House of the Daytime Moon’ will perform yet. You know better than anyone how domestic animated films get treated in this country.”

”Right. Nobody gives them a second glance.”

Still, Kang Jae-ha knew the rather spectacular future that awaited ’House of the Daytime Moon’. Though what lay even further beyond that, he couldn’t yet see.

’Getting started is half the battle. If ’House of the Daytime Moon’ just opens the floodgates, nobody knows which direction that current will flow.’

The possibilities from there were endless. It could end with ’House of the Daytime Moon’ alone, or an animated film even greater could emerge. Naturally, Jae-ha intended to intervene in the flow of that current to some degree.

At that moment, Lee Chan-hoo placed two copies of the ’House of the Daytime Moon’ screenplay on the table, ones he’d received from Director Hong Man-seop. He kept one in front of himself and slid the other toward Kang Jae-ha.

”First, the ’House of the Daytime Moon’ screenplay. I got it from Director Hong Man-seop.”

”So you’re roping in an animation director this time too. Like with ’Condensation’.”

”Gotta reel them in early, if there’s potential.”

”You do seem to only go after the ones in rough shape, don’t you? Whether it’s projects or people. Only the barren underdogs dying of thirst.”

”Putting them on life support is fun in its own way. You included. I plucked an unemployed bum and made him a CEO.”

”That’s why I shoot you looks of reverence every time I see you, Commander. Can you not feel it?”

”Not at all.”

Lee Chan-hoo shrugged and brought up Director Hong Man-seop again.

”So the reason you positioned ’MEG’ as a savior for that man Hong Man-seop, you were looking pretty far ahead, huh.”

Lee Chan-hoo folded his arms and thought for a moment before continuing.

”Even if domestic animation doesn’t go global, just managing to break into Japan alone would be a massive hit. Then the money that dried up in the domestic animation market would start flowing again too.”

”......”

There was no answer from Kang Jae-ha. He was absorbed in reading ’House of the Daytime Moon’. Soon, Jae-ha stroked his chin.

’The pull is... considerable.’

His hand turning pages grew steadily faster, and only after reading the ’House of the Daytime Moon’ screenplay for roughly thirty minutes did Kang Jae-ha let out a small smirk.

’So that’s why it hit three million viewers even with a Chinese character shoehorned in.’

Recalling his ’Deja Vu’ Kang Jae-ha’s expectations rose considerably.

’This could hold its own as a series.’

Next morning, the 8th. Inside a luxury sedan.

Around 9 a.m. CEO Han Tae-sung was visible in the backseat of a sleek sedan stopped at a red light. A sharply tailored suit, hair swept back neatly. Once again, a look that would suit the cover of a men’s lifestyle magazine. It was Sunday, but he was busy.

”......”

CEO Han Tae-sung had been gazing out the window with an inscrutable air when he fixed his eyes on the front passenger seat.

”General Manager Park.”

At the call, the sharp-looking secretary general manager turned his head back.

”Yes, CEO-nim.”

CEO Han Tae-sung asked in a low tone.

”That thing I told you to look into, has it been sorted out?”

”Of course.”

The secretary general manager handed CEO Han Tae-sung a clear file pulled from the briefcase in front. He continued his explanation as he did.

”Manager Kang Jae-ha from Team 4, as you mentioned. The artists assigned to him are Yoon Da-yeon and An Ji-hee. It seems Team Leader Jang Hyung-su had him take on Yoon Da-yeon, and it appears Manager Kang Jae-ha volunteered to handle An Ji-hee himself.”

”An Ji-hee. She’d be the one who switched from idol trainee to the acting track.”

”That’s correct.”

As CEO Han Tae-sung quietly studied An Ji-hee’s profile inside the clear file, the secretary general manager spoke up again.

”The project Manager Kang Jae-ha attached to Yoon Da-yeon and An Ji-hee is a short film called ’Condensation’. It seems the report went up as far as Team Leader Jang Hyung-su.”

”’Condensation’.”

”Yes, I’ve confirmed the audition is this afternoon.”

”The audition is today... what time?”

”3 o’clock. I’ve confirmed the location as well.”

CEO Han Tae-sung sank into thought, tapping his thigh with his index finger before speaking.

”What about this short film called ’Condensation’?”

”There was nothing particularly remarkable about it as a short film. The kind nobody would pay attention to.”

”So it’s completely run-of-the-mill.”

”Yes. The director is unknown and young. Name is Kwon Sung-min. The production company is ’Moonbak Film’. It’s a small operation, but they have decent experience producing shorts and independent films.”

”’Moonbak Film’, I’ve heard the name. Investment?”

”My apologies, I wasn’t able to identify the investor.”

”It hasn’t been disclosed, then. Not that it matters much; it’s a short film, so the scale would be small anyway.”

Investors for short films were quite diverse compared to commercial films. The most common was the director securing investment funds personally. At that point, the secretary general manager lowered his voice.

”CEO-nim, I found an interesting detail while looking into ’Condensation’.”

”What is it.”

”The work called ’Condensation’ was a submission to our Leon Entertainment’s ’Short Story Contest’.”

CEO Han Tae-sung tilted his head slightly, a faint spark of interest settling in his eyes.

”’Condensation’ was in the ’Short Story Contest’.”

”Yes, it was rejected, though.”

”Hmm...”

CEO Han Tae-sung folded his arms and brushed his cheek with his index finger.

’A coincidence?’

Picturing Kang Jae-ha’s face, CEO Han Tae-sung smiled thinly.

’No, there’s no way it’s a coincidence. Kang Jae-ha must have fished out a work called ’Condensation’ that came through Leon.’

The ’Short Story Contest’ had been handled this time by the New Business Team. In other words, Director Kim Chul-joong. Currently, the first through third place works had been selected and were in the middle of production. The goal was the ’Busan International Film Festival’. CEO Han Tae-sung held moderate expectations for it.

And somewhere in that process, without anyone noticing, Kang Jae-ha had fished out ’Condensation’.

Then attached the washed-up Yoon Da-yeon and An Ji-hee to ’Condensation’.

This could not be a coincidence.

’No matter how you look at it, Kang Jae-ha is running this board with intent. Did he see potential in ’Condensation’? Or...’

Was ’Condensation’ merely a sacrificial offering to reshape the mindset of those washed-up has-beens? Either way, from CEO Han Tae-sung’s perspective, it wasn’t a bad flow of events.

’He’s thinking for himself, setting up the board, creating winds of change.’

There had never been a character like Kang Jae-ha in Team 4 until now. CEO Han Tae-sung recalled the Kang Jae-ha he’d seen the other day. More precisely, those eyes that seemed to have crossed the line between life and death.

CEO Han Tae-sung slowly crossed his legs and murmured softly.

”Now I’m curious.”

Same day, afternoon. Leon Entertainment, Management Team 4.

Perhaps because it was Sunday, Team 4 was completely empty. Except for one person occupying a seat. It was Kang Jae-ha, chin propped on his hand, staring at a laptop screen.

”Came a bit early, I guess.”

Jae-ha, wearing a bomber jacket in the mild weather, checked the time. Around 1 o’clock. In roughly thirty minutes, Yoon Da-yeon and An Ji-hee were due to arrive at Team 4. The reason was simple. The ’Condensation’ audition was scheduled for 3.

’Da-yeon I’m not worried about, but Ji-hee... it’s her first time, so she’ll be nervous.’

That was when it happened.

-Swish.

A heavyset man entered the empty Team 4. It was General Manager Kim Dae-yong. Despite it being his day off, he’d shown up, and upon seeing Jae-ha, he laughed heartily.

”Jae-ha ssi, I couldn’t help myself and just came in.”

Kang Jae-ha smiled faintly and stood up.

”Are you sure you don’t need the rest?”

”I’m fine. It’s Da-yeon’s thing, I had to come. It’s Team 4’s business too. Even if I’d been lying around at home, I would’ve been worrying about it the whole time. Better to just come in.”

”If that’s how you feel, I won’t stop you.”

”Jin-woo wanted to come too, but I told him to rest.”

After mentioning Ryu Jin-woo, the first-year road manager, General Manager Kim Dae-yong rubbed his hands together.

”Da-yeon at an audition. A short film, no less. I’m the one getting nervous here.”

”Well, you’ve been looking after her for a long time, so that makes sense.”

”I just... hope it goes well. For Da-yeon. And for that girl auditioning with her.”

Without a second’s hesitation, Kang Jae-ha answered.

”It’ll go well. Probably.”

At the same time.

”What’s going to go well?”

A woman’s voice cut in from behind. They turned to find Yoon Da-yeon standing there, her long straight hair tied back. Minimal makeup, wearing a loose hoodie. Da-yeon approached and looked from Kang Jae-ha to General Manager Kim Dae-yong, then pushed her lips out in a slight pout.

”It’s not like it’s some big deal, why are you all tagging along? I can go by myself.”

Kang Jae-ha answered as if to say suit yourself.

”You want to? Then we’ll just cheer from here.”

”Ah! No! I, I was just saying! Just saying!”

”Too bad.”

”No way! You two just want to slack off here!”

”How are you feeling?”

”Battle mode, fully charged.”

General Manager Kim Dae-yong laughed heartily.

”Just crush the audition with that energy, Da-yeon.”

”Obviously! I’m flipping the whole thing upside down, for real!”

Yoon Da-yeon and General Manager Kim Dae-yong were bouncing off the walls, and Jae-ha just watched with a thin smile. Then a woman with her short hair pulled back tightly entered Team 4.

”...H-hello!”

It was An Ji-hee. Her face was also nearly bare of makeup, but that only made her fresh, innocent look stand out more. Jae-ha recalled a certain role in ’Condensation’.

’Did she do that on purpose? She came matching the vibe.’

An Ji-hee was busy bowing her head again and again.

”Hello! Hello, sunbaenim!”

Perhaps because they’d met a few times, Yoon Da-yeon didn’t look uncomfortable around An Ji-hee either.

”Hey, hi.”

Still, a subtle tension hung between the two. Same agency, but once they stepped into the audition room, they’d be rivals. Kang Jae-ha glanced at both of them and gestured for them to go.

”Let’s head out.”

He intended to drive.

Same time, an office near Samseong Station.

Familiar faces had gathered in a fairly spacious office. Director Kwon Sung-min, Moonbak Film CEO Jeong Tae-woo, and even Lee Chan-hoo. For the ’Condensation’ audition. They were seated side by side at a long table set up at the front of the rented office, and Lee Chan-hoo was attending the audition as an investor.

Currently, a male participant was in the middle of his free acting.

But the performance was a mess.

”Alright! I think we’ve seen enough! Thank you.”

Director Kwon Sung-min pushed up his glasses and cut off the male participant’s performance. After a few routine questions were exchanged, the male participant left the audition room, and Director Kwon Sung-min let out a long sigh.

”...This isn’t easy.”

CEO Jeong Tae-woo, with his broad face, laughed.

”Hang in there, Director-nim. The guy just now was actually decent, all things considered. At least he came with a properly prepared free acting piece. There are plenty who show up not even knowing what free acting is.”

”At least some solid actors came through, so that’s a relief.”

”Right, about five... that’s a windfall for a project like this.”

The ’Condensation’ audition had been running since that morning in scheduled time slots, and Director Kwon Sung-min, for whom this was a first experience, had been extremely nervous at the start but had more or less calmed down by now. He turned his head toward Lee Chan-hoo, who was wearing a dress shirt.

”CEO-nim, are you alright on time?”

Lee Chan-hoo smiled lightly, as if to say don’t worry about it.

”I’m fine. It’s been fun in its own way.”

”If you’re busy, you can leave first......”

”Don’t worry about me and just watch comfortably. Comfortably.”

For the record, Lee Chan-hoo hadn’t uttered a single word throughout the audition from morning until now. Just observing. He was here as the CEO of ’MEG’, as an investor, but his attention was solely.

’Isn’t it about time the Commander showed up? I’m getting bored. My ass hurts too.’

Kang Jae-ha, and only Kang Jae-ha. They had already agreed to pretend not to know each other. Meanwhile, CEO Jeong Tae-woo flipped through the participant profiles and spoke.

”Next up are the actors from Leon.”

Director Kwon Sung-min nodded and drew a deep breath. Steeling himself.

”I’m excited. And nervous.”

”Yoon Da-yeon, An Ji-hee. Above all, the one to watch will be Yoon Da-yeon.”

Director Kwon Sung-min, his nerves now ratcheted even higher, looked down at Yoon Da-yeon’s profile.

”Yoon Da-yeon nim, she’s... coming in for the lead role, right?”

”That’s my thinking too. Yoon Da-yeon for the lead, An Ji-hee for the supporting role. That’s how Leon would have set it up, and Yoon Da-yeon herself would have pushed hard for the lead.”

”Man... it still doesn’t feel real. A well-known actress auditioning for my film.”

CEO Jeong Tae-woo scratched his chin and added.

”No need to feel too pressured. You can just look at Yoon Da-yeon as another audition participant like anyone else. She used to be called A-list and all that back in the day, but now......”

CEO Jeong Tae-woo had been about to say washed-up, past her prime, but swallowed the words.

”More importantly, there are rumors that Yoon Da-yeon has a bit of a difficult personality.”

”Really?”

”Yeah, just so you know in advance.”

”She doesn’t look like that type at all.”

”An actor’s public image is entirely crafted by their agency. The real person is always different.”

Around this point, Lee Chan-hoo thought of Kang Jae-ha.

’Difficult? As if she could hold a candle to the Commander.’

Thirty minutes after the break ended.

-Swish.

A production company staff member poked their head into the audition room.

”The actors from Leon have arrived.”

Meaning Yoon Da-yeon and An Ji-hee had come. Naturally, Director Kwon Sung-min, CEO Jeong Tae-woo, and Lee Chan-hoo rose from their seats. Before long, Yoon Da-yeon and An Ji-hee entered the audition room.

”Hello.”

”Hello!”

The two women greeted the panel, Director Kwon Sung-min included. Behind them stood the expressionless Kang Jae-ha and Kim Dae-yong. The moment Lee Chan-hoo saw Jae-ha, he clenched his molars tight.

’Oh fuck, I almost burst out laughing.’

He was desperately holding back an explosion of laughter. A line Kang Jae-ha had once muttered was cycling through Lee Chan-hoo’s head.

’Pathetic fourth-year manager.’

The corner of Lee Chan-hoo’s mouth twitched as his eyes met Kang Jae-ha’s. Immediately, Jae-ha’s brow rippled ever so slightly.

’That son of a bitch.’

His eyes spoke. You want to die? Lee Chan-hoo answered. What am I supposed to do if it’s funny? Around then, Director Kwon Sung-min steadied his racing heart and spoke.

”Ah, hello. I’m Kwon Sung-min, directing ’Condensation’. Thank you first of all for coming to the audition. What you’ll be doing is free acting, and since there’s no separate waiting room, please wait on the folding chairs in the back.”

Yoon Da-yeon was unfazed.

’Mid-twenties? The director’s incredibly young.’

Washed-up or not, her career was substantial. On the other hand, An Ji-hee’s palms were sweating.

’Focus! Just focus on the performance!’

Then CEO Jeong Tae-woo looked toward Kang Jae-ha and General Manager Kim Dae-yong.

”Which of you spoke with me on the phone?”

Jae-ha answered indifferently.

”That was me.”

”Ah...”

At that moment.

-Knock knock knock.

A knocking sound spread through the audition room. Thanks to that, all eyes, Yoon Da-yeon’s included, landed on the door at the back. Kang Jae-ha, nearest to it, was no exception. When he turned, a man in an elegant suit was standing there.

General Manager Kim Dae-yong nearly collapsed on the spot. The reason was simple.

”C-CEO-nim!!!”

The one who had appeared was none other than the head of Leon, CEO Han Tae-sung. He greeted them with a poised expression, exuding composure and grace.

”Sorry for dropping in like this. I heard our company’s actresses were auditioning, so I just came.”

Yoon Da-yeon, An Ji-hee, Director Kwon Sung-min, everyone’s jaws dropped. Everyone except one. Kang Jae-ha alone. CEO Han Tae-sung slowly fixed his gaze on Jae-ha, who stood right in front of him, and murmured quietly.

”How calm. As if you already knew.”

Just as CEO Han Tae-sung said, Kang Jae-ha’s expression hadn’t changed one bit.

”Should I be surprised?”