CHAPTER 010: Exclusive Model Contract
CHAPTER 010: Exclusive Model Contract
“Alright. We’ll now show you the edited version of Mate’s new commercial.”
Tap—
The bearded CD pressed play.
The conference room lights dimmed, and the video appeared on the screen.
A boy in a school uniform was walking down a hallway.
His face looked young, but there was a trace of worry and unease in his steps.
Walking in the same direction as the crowd, he soon turned around as if he’d made a decision—and began running in the opposite direction. The camera chased him dynamically.
A fierce headwind blowing straight at him. Obstacles blocking the hallway.
But he didn’t stop. If anything, he pushed through it all and kept moving forward.
“Woah…”
A low gasp of admiration slipped out somewhere in the room.
When the boy finally opened the door at the end of the corridor, the wind that had been so harsh changed direction and gently pushed at his back.
Outside the door was a cherry blossom tree in full bloom beneath dazzling sunlight.
Only then did the boy lift his gaze to the sky with the freshest smile in the world—relief and overwhelming joy mixed together.
Mate drink in his hand.
With crisp, refreshing BGM, the Mate logo rose onto the screen.
“……”
After about thirty seconds, the commercial ended.
The conference room fell into complete silence.
The first to break it was Mate Beverage’s executive director, Han Iljun.
“…This is truly art.”
“And it’s not like the product doesn’t show up, either…”
“The cinematography is incredible. Especially with the one-take tracking that smoothly—honestly it looks like CG.”
The other executives nodded, adding their thoughts.
“The storytelling is good, too. The process of finding your own path… That’s exactly the kind of message young people today relate to and get excited about.”
“Agreed. And the catharsis when the wind changes direction is really striking.”
Han Iljun leaned forward.
“More than anything—how on earth did you direct that model… that expression?”
He was pointing at Ryu Sunho’s bright smile beneath the cherry blossoms.
It wasn’t just a handsome actor smiling.
It held something pure and overwhelming—something you couldn’t put into words.
“What’s the model’s name?”
“A rookie actor named Ryu Sunho. This was his first commercial shoot.”
“His first?”
The executive director couldn’t hide his surprise.
“I’ve seen countless commercials, but I’ve never seen an actor capable of that level of expression acting—and he’s a rookie…”
“That model’s expression feels like it completes the message of the entire commercial. The arc—from uncertainty and hesitation, to finding his path and running, to that final happy expression… the entire story is contained in that single smile.”
The managing director beside him chimed in.
“What’s the contract situation with that model? Can we do an exclusive contract?”
“A-an exclusive contract?”
There was a reason the agency’s bearded CD panicked.
An exclusive contract was exceptional treatment reserved for top-tier models.
Not only was the fee high, but the actor’s image would become the brand itself—so it required proven recognition and favorability.
Offering that to a rookie who had just shot his first commercial was unprecedented.
“Executive Director… it would be better to decide an exclusive contract after the ad goes on air and we see performance—”
The marketing team leader offered his opinion carefully, but Han Iljun glared at him like a growl.
“And if another beverage company steals him in the meantime, are you going to take responsibility?”
With the marketing team leader bowing his head, the lesson continued.
“As you all know, the ion beverage market isn’t one where you can say one drink clearly tastes better than another. It’s an image war. And after watching that—didn’t you all feel it? The model’s expression stayed in your mind before the product did.”
“That’s right. I can still clearly remember that bright smile.”
At the managing director’s reply, Han Iljun nodded in satisfaction.
“Our new image for Mate will be that actor’s face. The moment he disappears from our ads, the emotional core of this entire campaign collapses. So check immediately whether an exclusive contract is possible.”
“Yes, understood.”
“And other than that… I don’t think there’s anything else to give feedback on. What do the rest of you think?”
“I agree, Executive Director.”
“Yes, same here.”
At his words, Mate’s executives and staff all voiced agreement at once.
With a pleased expression, he wrapped up the client screening.
“Everyone, good work. The commercial came out properly well.”
As they left the conference room, the agency staff broke into relieved smiles.
“Hahaha, this is the smoothest client screening I’ve ever seen. Jang, you really worked hard.”
“Haha, you worked harder, CD.”
“Yeah, Mingyu. From the opening through the tone and manner—it was all so good. Truly.”
“If it goes well, we might even be able to expect a win at this year’s Korea Advertising Awards.”
The planner smiled shyly at the praise and shook his head.
“Come on. I didn’t do anything.”
“You little punk, acting humble when it doesn’t suit you.”
“I’d love to brag, but this time, really—not. I planned the ad, but someone else is the one who completed it.”
He thought of the young man who had given him courage.
Meanwhile, Seo Yoonha was sitting on a top-of-the-line sofa in her living room, where the Han River spread clearly below the windows, watching TV.
On the screen was none other than her own acting practice footage.
-…You said it was the will of the gods. Then the gods…
Her own face, reciting lines for Kang Seoho—a role that wasn’t even hers.
“Ha… it’s not good.”
She’d practiced Kang Seoho alone again and again.
Just curiosity.
How hard did the role have to be for Writer Park Eunju to still not find an actor she liked?
She wanted to experience it herself.
There was no chance she’d ever take that role, but purely out of acting greed, she’d watched burn-victim documentaries dozens and dozens of times and practiced.
But after watching her recorded practice video, Seo Yoonha reached a conclusion.
‘I’m only imitating the outside. I couldn’t express the real emotion.’
But Ryu Sunho…
How did he capture the details that well?
It wasn’t like he’d ever actually been burned.
Especially the subtle expression shift and hand movement in the moment he became aware of his scar—down to the texture of his voice. Everything was perfect.
Something suddenly surged up inside her.
Her insides were turning black.
Sensing danger, Seo Yoonha ran straight to the kitchen and yanked open the fridge.
Cakes packed in, all kinds.
She grabbed the one whole chocolate cake that looked the most dense and fudgy, and started shoveling it into her mouth with a fork.
“Mmmph!”
Only after finishing the entire cake did she finally calm down.
She sat back on the sofa and thought.
‘Right. The role I have to do isn’t Kang Seoho. It’s the possessed shaman—Shin Myeongju.’
She picked up her phone and called somewhere.
“Hello? Hi. Is this the shaman-class academy that has the ‘10 Weeks to Completion! Shaman Speed Master Course’?”
After showing my acting at Writer Park Eunju’s studio,
A week later, I met StudioPlus’s production manager and signed a contract for a fee of three million won per episode.
It was an unspoken rule that even rookies at big agencies didn’t pass five hundred thousand won per episode, and I’d broken that record.
He made a big deal out of it, and I listened along.
If they’re giving me a lot of money, that much is fine.
At least my value was being clearly acknowledged.
‘But still.’
What is wrong with Seo Yoonha?
Seo Yoonha: (photo)
Seo Yoonha: (photo)
Seo Yoonha: (video)
Why is she sending me pictures of herself in shaman makeup?
And why is she sending a video of herself riding a blade?
‘She’s impossible to read.’
In my past life, when I only saw her in passing, she had this aloof, chic image.
Did she mature late?
I had a strong feeling I shouldn’t get deeply involved.
I should just reply briefly and keep distance.
Me: Good.
Seo Yoonha: Want me to show you doing a gut, too?
What am I even supposed to reply to that…?
While I was hesitating, a call came from an unfamiliar number.
“Hello?”
-Hello, is this Ryu Sunho? This is Park Hyunsik, marketing team leader at Mate Beverage.
“Ah, yes. That’s me. Hello.”
-I’m calling regarding an exclusive model contract with Mate. If you have time, I’d like to meet and discuss it.
An exclusive model offer?
To a rookie like me?
The next day, I went to Mate Beverage’s headquarters.
When I opened the meeting room door, two men were seated inside.
First, a neatly dressed middle-aged man in a suit stood and offered his hand.
“Ryu Sunho, nice to meet you. I’m Han Iljun, executive director at Mate Beverage.”
“…!”
I’d expected to negotiate with just the marketing team leader,
but even the executive director had come out personally.
Why?
While I was still stunned by how strangely things were unfolding, Han Iljun spoke.
“After the screening, we held an internal meeting. After seeing the quality of this commercial, we decided to significantly increase the ad spend.”
Marketing team leader Park Hyunsik beside him continued.
“On top of the existing digital budget, we’ve decided to run TV ads as well.”
Then, after checking my reaction, he added,
“Ah… to put it simply, it means more people will see your face, Sunho.”
He thought I wouldn’t understand.
As if.
If anything, it felt like coming home.
“Are you not running outdoor ads?”
At my question, the executive director—who had been leaning back—tilted forward, interested.
“Haha. It’s my first time seeing a model ask about outdoor advertising.”
He signaled the marketing team leader with his eyes, and the team leader answered.
“We’re planning large outdoor displays at Hongdae Entrance Station and Sinchon Station, where there’s a lot of foot traffic from teens and people in their twenties.”
Mm. Good.
If the ad went viral, my recognition would rise—and they’d chosen the right places where the target audience actually stayed.
Mate didn’t seem like they needed worrying.
‘A good client.’
Not just because they were offering me exclusivity.
Truly.
From a business standpoint, their instincts were sharp.
You could see the will to invest boldly for the brand’s long-term value.
As if confirming my expectation, the executive director said,
“We believe the message of this commercial—which perfectly matches our brand’s core values—will be strongly imprinted on consumers. Naturally, both sides’ recognition and favorability will rise explosively as well.”
I smiled quietly and nodded.
“In that sense, Mate would like to sign a one-year exclusive model contract with you, Ryu Sunho.”
“Exclusive model means I can’t appear in other beverage ads, correct?”
“Haha. You know it well. That’s right. You can’t do commercials for other beverage brands. Of course, you can still do ads for categories like clothing or cosmetics.”
I nodded.
That’s how exclusivity worked.
“One year, and we’re thinking of a model fee of three hundred million won.”
The moment I heard the number, my nostrils flared on their own.
“Three hundred million?”
Three hundred million won a year.
It was an unprecedented, outrageous amount.
‘This is a good opportunity.’
Not just because of the fee.
Truly.
Becoming synonymous with a single brand was a huge win for an entertainer’s image, too.
When you think of actors who get called “Human Kinu” or “Human Yaneodu” and stay consumed by the public as a positive image for a long time, the answer is obvious.
I read the contract.
There didn’t seem to be any toxic clauses.
Signing bonus: 100 million won upfront, then 50 million won paid each quarter.
If you included the 10 million won fee for the single commercial, it meant I’d earn a total of 310 million won from this one Mate ad.
No reason to refuse.
“I look forward to working with you!”
After the contract was signed and Ryu Sunho left,
Executive Director Han Iljun spoke, a faint smile on his lips.
“He’s not ordinary.”
Marketing team leader nodded in agreement.
“I’ve never seen a model pay attention to media placements like that. And he’s a rookie who just debuted.”
“Same. He must’ve prepared a lot.”
“I’ve been in marketing for thirty years. Usually, models who are that meticulous and sincere about what they do don’t cause trouble. The ones who only care about the money—the loose-screw types—those are the ones who stir up problems and only hurt the brand.”
He laughed, amused, and continued.
“I’ve got a feeling. That kid will go far—and high—for a long time. And the fact that his start was with Mate will carry enormous symbolism. Make sure we maintain a good relationship for the long run, Team Leader Park.”
“Yes. Understood!”
“I’m already looking forward to the public reaction.”
.
.
And one month later, Mate Beverage’s commercial began airing nationwide—on TV and YouTube, and on outdoor screens across Seoul.