A glimpse into the hard work Behind Every Star in tvN’s latest teaser

by solstices

With barely more than a week left before its premiere, tvN’s Behind Every Star certainly isn’t skimping on its promotional material. The drama’s latest teaser gives us a peek into the fast-paced environment of a celebrity management agency, and I can already feel my stress levels rising.

The teaser opens with bright-eyed rookie manager So Hyun-joo, played by Joo Hyun-young (Extraordinary Attorney Woo). Her first few days on the job are certainly eventful — in other words, full of mishaps. It isn’t long before we see her getting chewed out by Kwak Sun-young (Inspector Koo), who plays Method Entertainment’s veteran team leader Chun Jae-in.

Hyun-joo’s role as a celebrity manager means that she’s expected to answer to calls no matter the time or place. As Jae-in elaborates in voiceover — she has to be on call even when she’s eating, sleeping, showering, or using the bathroom. In other words, there’s no such thing as work-life balance.

This high-stakes, high-stress environment is evident in the rest of the company as well. Company director Ma Tae-oh — played by Lee Seo-jin (Dr. Park’s Clinic) — may be mild-mannered and level-headed, but there’s a sharp edge to his voice when he chastises a subordinate. (Also, peep that Jo Yeo-jung cameo!)

In contrast, Seo Hyun-woo (Adamas) plays the gentle and warm-hearted team leader Kim Joong-don. He cares deeply for his talents, often going the extra mile for them — and it certainly goes a long way, because one of his talents (hello there, Jin Sun-kyu!) pulls him into a grateful hug. Except the very next scene shows that same talent starting a fight, whoops. PR disaster in the making?

That’s not the only crisis, though, because a larger one is looming on the horizon. Several actors have already left Method Entertainment, and the higher-ups aren’t going to leave things be. Moon Hee-kyung (Doctor Lawyer), in the role of the chairwoman’s wife Kang Kyung-ok, declares that she’s planning on selling the company — to the consternation of Tae-oh and Jae-in.

Directed by Baek Seung-ryong (Pegasus Market), with scripts written by Park So-young (Meloholic), Lee Chan (SNL Korea), and Nam In-young, the 12-episode drama will premiere on November 7.