Chapter 46
Chapter 46: Establishment of Studio Dream
Translated by POWERPUFF
Unlike KBC and MBS, there wasn’t a drama from SBC this time that could be called a massive hit.
So comparatively, it received less attention than other broadcasting stations.
However, viewers poured in praise for Baek Seungchan’s witty hosting.
Is he really a rookie? Even his composure is on another level.
Even experienced actors get nervous lol, but this guy really doesn’t seem like a rookie.
I felt it during Running People and the live broadcast too, he’s made for broadcasting lol
I lost it when he suddenly called his own name before announcing the rookie award lol
But was he always this handsome? Now that he’s styled up, it’s insane.
He’s handsome, acts well, athletic, great body, and even funny? Please let the rest of us live too…
His confidence is crazy. “Next time I’ll come to receive an award, not present one” damn
True lol but he might really win Rookie of the Year next year? I can see it happening.
That would be legendary fr lol
Coming back in a year for a pilgrimage
And so, Baek Seungchan’s presentation ended successfully.
CEO Ji Pyeongsan visited a high-end Korean restaurant in Gangnam, Seoul.
It was delicious enough to be on his personal list of favorite restaurants, and with its luxurious atmosphere and fully private rooms, it was a place he frequently visited for business meetings.
He sipped warm brown rice tea while waiting for the person he had arranged to meet.
Knock knock.
Soon, the door opened with a knock, and the person he was meeting today entered.
“Welcome, Director Park.”
“Nice to meet you, CEO Ji.”
The man who entered with a bright smile was Director Park Taeho.
“Shall we eat first?”
“I’d love that. I heard you’re treating me to something delicious today, so I’ve been starving since morning.”
“Please bring it out right away.”
Ji Pyeongsan spoke to the staff, and the dishes began to arrive immediately.
More than thirty dishes filled the table, neat yet appetizing.
“Go ahead and try it. It’s a place I personally vouch for.”
“If you say it’s a good restaurant, CEO Ji, then it must be excellent.”
Ji Pyeongsan being a gourmet was widely known in the industry.
Park Taeho, full of anticipation, first tasted napa cabbage kimchi, the foundation of Korean cuisine.
“Oh!”
Director Park Taeho exclaimed after taking a bite.
“Does it suit your taste?”
“It’s incredibly delicious. It’s easily among the best kimchi I’ve ever had.”
The crisp texture and perfectly fermented savory flavor spread in his mouth, with a spicy kick and deep richness from the salted seafood.
“No wonder there are rumors about you being a gourmet.”
“I’m glad it suits your taste. Try the tteokgalbi as well. You’ll be satisfied.”
Park Taeho began eating in earnest.
As Ji Pyeongsan said, the tteokgalbi was crispy yet tender, and all the other side dishes were delicious too.
Though he wasn’t someone who usually ate a lot, Park Taeho finished two bowls of rice before ending his meal.
“Thanks to you, I had a great meal.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.”
Ji Pyeongsan smiled warmly.
As someone who loved good food, he felt pleased when the person he treated enjoyed their meal, regardless of business matters.
They began talking while drinking the sweet rice drink served as dessert.
“Director, first of all, thank you for taking on this project.”
They had decided to entrust the direction of “Afterlife Restaurant” to Park Taeho.
Though it was recommended by writer Kim Sehee, it was also a decision made out of trust in Park Taeho’s abilities.
“I should be the one thanking you. I’ve been wanting to work with actor Baek Seungchan again.”
After working with Baek Seungchan, Park Taeho had felt deep regret.
It was rare to find an actor who could express not only a director’s vision but even beyond it.
And after watching “A Shop for Killers,” directed by his friend Go Jinseok, that longing only grew stronger.
In fact, he had received several project offers in the meantime but turned them all down.
He was waiting for Kim Sehee’s work to be ready and for the chance to work with Baek Seungchan again.
So when Ji Pyeongsan contacted him, he agreed without hesitation.
“You’ve read the script, right?”
“Of course. It seems writer Kim really went all out this time.”
Park Taeho had always thought Kim Sehee had the potential to become a star writer.
However, he believed she had always fallen just short of breaking through that barrier.
But after reading the script for “Afterlife Restaurant,” he was certain.
This work would elevate her to a star writer.
And he himself would achieve the best results of his career with this project.
“By the way, what did you want to talk about today?”
Park Taeho didn’t know the exact reason he had been called here.
He only knew it was related to the production of the project.
At his question, Ji Pyeongsan replied with a more serious gaze.
“I’m thinking of establishing a production company.”
“You mean not finding one, but creating one?”
Caught off guard, Park Taeho asked again in surprise.
Usually in situations like this, it was common to look for an external production company to handle the drama.
“Did you fail to secure one?”
Park Taeho thought that might be the case.
In a market flooded with dramas, success wasn’t guaranteed, and production costs were significant.
Producing a drama starring a rookie who had only completed one project?
Even if Baek Seungchan left a strong impression, it was still a risky investment.
“That’s not the case.”
Ji Pyeongsan shook his head.
While some well-known production companies declined due to the risk of a rookie lead and their already packed schedules, several others had expressed interest.
“Then why?”
“Director Park.”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
Ji Pyeongsan’s tone became more serious, and Park Taeho responded in kind.
“My dream is to make Dream Entertainment the best entertainment company in Korea. Beyond that, I want to grow it into a global company that leads K-culture.”
It was a dream he had held since entering the industry, and the reason he founded Dream Entertainment.
“And within that, there will be a production company capable of independently producing K-dramas and films.”
This wasn’t a sudden idea but something he had planned for a long time.
“And I believe the time is now.”
At first, Ji Pyeongsan had naturally considered outsourcing the production and investing.
But the more he thought about it, the more it felt like a waste.
The talent he saw in Baek Seungchan.
The intriguing script by Kim Sehee.
He was certain this project would be a hit.
And the final piece needed to properly run Studio Dream was Park Taeho.
“I would like you to join as the CEO of the newly established Studio Dream.”
Typically, skilled directors or producers in the industry either belonged to major production companies or had their own.
So they were hard to recruit.
But Park Taeho was only working with a team and wasn’t affiliated with any company.
Moreover, he not only had skill but also strong industry connections.
Ji Pyeongsan believed he had the capability to lead the production company.
After silently listening, Park Taeho spoke.
“You’re planning to fully self-produce this drama with sole investment, right?”
Even when producing a drama, it was rare for a production company to bear the entire cost alone.
While success could bring greater profits through advertising and OTT licensing, the risk of failure was too high.
So unless it was a large company with ample funds or one with absolute confidence in success, sole investment was uncommon.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Can you handle the production costs?”
“If I gather everything I can, it’s possible.”
A significant portion of drama production costs usually went to actors’ fees.
Top-tier actors commanded extremely high salaries.
In fact, it wasn’t uncommon for 20% to nearly 50% of the production budget to go to actors.
But with Baek Seungchan as the lead, they could significantly reduce that expense.
“You know this is a gamble that could bankrupt the company if it fails, right?”
“Yes.”
Ji Pyeongsan nodded.
Then he added,
“However, I believe it’s a gamble with a 100% chance of winning.”
At his confident answer, Park Taeho thought silently for a moment, then smiled.
“Alright, let’s do it together.”
Ji Pyeongsan’s proven ability in building Dream Entertainment and his confident eyes.
The immeasurable actor Baek Seungchan.
And Kim Sehee’s compelling script.
Like Ji Pyeongsan, Park Taeho also believed this was a gamble they couldn’t lose.
Above all, he wanted to work more with Baek Seungchan.
Rumors in the entertainment industry spread especially fast.
The news that Studio Dream had been established and that they would produce a drama starring rookie actor Baek Seungchan with full investment quickly spread.
The industry’s reaction was largely negative.
No matter how impressive Baek Seungchan’s acting was for a rookie, establishing a production company and investing 100% in a drama with him as the lead?
And while Park Taeho was one thing, the script was by Kim Sehee, whose success wasn’t guaranteed.
Most believed CEO Ji Pyeongsan, who had been on a winning streak, had made a major mistake.
Especially since the market was saturated with dramas, making success harder, and many production companies were failing.
However, not everyone viewed it negatively.
Those who had seen Baek Seungchan act in person believed this project would succeed.
And there was someone who had a positive view even without seeing his acting firsthand.
Song Jina.
She was the CEO of CGini Plus Korea.
CGini Plus had invested heavily in K-content to catch up with the industry leader, Nflix.
As a result, they suffered consecutive failures and were even considering withdrawing from Korea.
But the recent hit “A Shop for Killers” had saved them from that crisis.
Although it ranked fifth globally, it took first place in Korea and also topped rankings in several Asian countries.
Thanks to this, their Korean subscriber base increased by over 500,000, and globally, they saw growth of several million users.
Song Jina believed the success of “A Shop for Killers” came from the harmony of the original story, the director’s direction, and the actors’ performances.
But among them, she believed the biggest factor was Baek Seungchan.
She couldn’t explain it in words, but there was definitely something special in his acting and action.
That’s why she had taken a strong interest in him.
So the news about Baek Seungchan was very welcome to her.
“It’s a shame we can’t invest, but it can’t be helped.”
She wanted to invest and secure a stake, but there was still another way to profit.
They could purchase the distribution rights and release the drama on their OTT platform.
She immediately made a call.
“Hello, CEO.”
The person she called was Ji Pyeongsan.