Managing the Korean entertainment industry: I have superpowers, but I won't say.

Chapter 81 The Effect of Yoo In-na and Yook Sung-jae Joining the Franchise

In the fourth week of filming for "Goblin," Yoo In-na's scenes began.

She plays a fried chicken shop owner, a straightforward and efficient woman who has connections with both ghosts and grim reapers. The first scene takes place in the fried chicken shop—though it's actually a set built in a studio, complete with a bar, tables, and a fryer. Yoo In-na, wearing a white shirt and apron, her hair tied in a low ponytail, stands behind the bar wiping glasses.

Lee Dong-wook sat at the bar with a beer in front of him. This scene depicted the Grim Reaper's first visit to the fried chicken restaurant; unsure what to order, he was impatiently recommended a fried chicken and beer combo. Lee Dong-wook's delivery of his lines was cold, while Yoo In-na's was warm, creating a striking contrast.

After the director yelled "CUT", Yoo In-na turned to Lee Dong-wook and said, "Sunbae, your look just now was so good, I almost couldn't catch it."

Lee Dong-wook smiled. "You caught it very well."

Su Yu stood behind the monitor watching the playback without saying a word. Kim Dong-wook stood beside her, holding a report. "After Yoo In-na signed with our company, the online buzz about her increased significantly," Kim Dong-wook said softly. "Her previous company didn't promote her much, but since she came here, we've published several news articles about 'Goblin' alone."

Su Yu nodded. "What about Lu Xingcai?"

"His fans initially protested his role as a supporting character, but now that they've seen the stills, their attitudes have changed quite a bit. Some people say, 'Sungjae looks so handsome in a suit,' and others say, 'Looking forward to his acting transformation.'" Kim Dong-wook flipped through the reports. "However, his original agency seems a bit unhappy."

Why?

"When Yook Sung-jae signed with us, his contract with his original company still had six months left. We paid the penalty for breach of contract, but his original company felt that we were 'poaching' him."

Su Yu looked at the monitor, his tone indifferent. "They couldn't retain their staff, so who's to blame?"

Kim Dong-wook didn't say anything more, closed the report, and left.

Yook Sung-jae's scene was in the afternoon. He played the arrogant grandson of a chaebol, who crashed into the goblin's car upon his first appearance. This scene required him to portray a "fearless" demeanor, but Yook Sung-jae himself has a very gentle personality and was a little nervous before filming.

"Sir, if I overact, just tell me." Lu Xingcai stood in front of Su Yu, his hands in his pockets, his fingers rubbing back and forth on his pants.

"You're not the type to overact," Su Yu said. "You just haven't acted enough. Let loose and don't hold back."

Yook Sung-jae nodded, took a deep breath, and walked into the set. After the director yelled "Action!", he completely changed. His chin was raised, his eyes slanted, and he walked with a swagger, as if the whole street belonged to him. After the car crash, he got out, pointed at the Goblin, and cursed, his voice loud and shrill. Yoon Shi-yoon stood opposite him, watching him expressionlessly, like he was looking at a clueless child.

"Do you know who I am?" Yook Sung-jae pointed to his face.

"I don't know," Yoon Shi-yoon replied calmly.

"My dad is a director at Samsung!"

"oh."

Yook Sung-jae was taken aback by his "oh," opening his mouth but unsure what to say. The director didn't call cut, so he forced himself to continue acting. "You—you pay for my car!"

Yoon Shi-yoon glanced at him, took out a check from his pocket, wrote down a number, and handed it over. Yook Sung-jae looked down and was shocked by the enormous amount; his jaw dropped. The comedic effect of the scene was fully realized, and several staff members on set couldn't help but laugh.

"CUT!" The director clapped. "Sungjae, that take is a hit!"

Yook Sung-jae immediately reverted to his original form and ran to the monitor to watch the playback. After watching it, he scratched his head and ran to Su Yu. "CEO, was I too annoying just now?"

"He deserves to be beaten up."

Yook Sung-jae chuckled twice and turned to go over the lines for the next scene with Yoon Shi-yoon.

After finishing her scene, Yoo In-na didn't leave; she sat in a corner reading her script. Kim Go-eun walked over and sat down next to her.

"Inna unnie, your performance just now was so natural."

"The dialogue was well-written." Yoo In-na smiled. "And you? Have you finished filming the ghost scenes?"

"Two more sessions. Filming next week."

Are you nervous?

Kim Go-eun thought for a moment. "A little. Those two scenes were very emotionally intense, and I'm afraid I won't be able to handle them."

Yoo In-na put down her script and looked at Kim Go-eun. "Do you know why CEO Su signed you?"

Kim Go-eun paused for a moment. "He said there was something in my eyes."

"Yes. What you see isn't something you're acting; it's something you've always known. So act with confidence; you won't lose sight of what you see."

Kim Go-eun nodded and smiled, pursing her lips.

After filming wrapped, Su Yu treated Yoo In-na and Yook Sung-jae to dinner. It wasn't a wrap party, but a welcome dinner—they hadn't had a proper meal since signing with Influence Entertainment. Chae Soo-bin and Yoon Shi-yoon also came, Kim Go-eun said she couldn't come because of family matters, Sulli was in Japan and hadn't returned, and Park Ji-yeon was filming an independent film.

The restaurant was chosen by Yoo In-na; it was a Korean set meal restaurant located in an alley in Gangnam. The owner knew Yoo In-na and reserved the innermost private room for her. The six of them sat down: Yoo In-na sat to Su Yu's left, Chae Soo-bin sat to Su Yu's right, Yoon Shi-yoon sat next to Chae Soo-bin, Yook Sung-jae sat next to Yoon Shi-yoon, and Choi Min-soo sat near the door, saying, "I'll be in charge of pouring the drinks."

Yoo In-na raised her glass first. "Come on, a toast to Representative So. Thank you for signing me, and thank you for giving me such a great role."

Su Yu clinked glasses with her but didn't say anything.

Cai Xiubin whispered from the side, "Say a few words."

Su Yu glanced at her, then looked at Yoo In-na and Yook Sung-jae. "Act well. If you do well, we'll continue in the next project."

Yoo In-na laughed. "That's it?"

"That's it."

Yook Sung-jae quickly raised his glass. "Representative, I'll do my best!"

Yoon Shi-yoon added from the side, "I almost burst out laughing during Sungjae's scene today. His arrogant demeanor was so realistic."

Lu Xingcai scratched his head sheepishly. "Shi Yun-ge, don't praise me too much, I'll get carried away."

"What are you bragging about? You're not famous yet," Yoon Shi-yoon said with a laugh.

Yook Sung-jae was taken aback for a moment, then laughed. "Hyung, you talk like a representative."

Yoon Shi-yoon glanced at Su Yu. "I learned all of this from him."

Cai Xiubin chuckled beside her. Su Yu reached under the table and squeezed her hand; she immediately stopped laughing, but blushed. Liu Renna saw this, pretended not to, and lowered her head to pick up some food.

Halfway through the meal, Liu Renna put down her chopsticks and looked at Su Yu.

"Representative Su, I have a question for you."

"explain."

"When you signed me, did you ever consider whether I would get along with the other people in the company?"

Su Yu thought for a moment. "I haven't thought about it."

Why?

"Because you can get along with anyone."

Yoo In-na paused for a moment, then laughed. "Are you praising me or insulting me?"

"I'm praising you."

Yook Sung-jae chimed in from the side, "Representative, when you signed me, did you consider who I might not get along with?"

Su Yu looked at him. "I've thought about it."

Yook Sung-jae's smile froze for a moment. "...Really?"

"You're too obedient," Su Yu said. "I'm afraid you'll be led astray by Yin Shiyun."

There was a moment of silence, then Yoo In-na burst out laughing first, followed by Chae Soo-bin covering her mouth and laughing, while Yoon Shi-yoon looked completely innocent. "How did I corrupt him? I'm a model celebrity!"

Yook Sung-jae smiled and waved his hand. "Shi-yoon hyung is a really good person, really."

Choi Min-soo, who was pouring wine at the door, laughed when he heard this.

After dinner, Cai Xiubin and Su Yu walked at the back. Liu Renna drove Yook Sung-jae home, while Yoon Shi-yoon took a taxi. Choi Min-soo said, "I'm going back to the company to get something," and left as well.

Cai Xiubin linked arms with Su Yu, and the two walked slowly down the street in the Jiangnan District. The winter wind was cold, and she buried her face in Su Yu's shoulder.

"Su Yu".

"Um."

"Inna unnie and Sungjae are both very good."

"Um."

"They were very happy that you treated them to dinner today."

"Um."

Cai Xiubin looked up at him. "Can't you say one more word?"

Su Yu thought for a moment. "I'm very happy."

Cai Xiubin smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

"Let's go home."