Chapter 341: Model Debut (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 341: Model Debut (4)
Once I was certain that I had to meet my parents at least once, I began to draw up a plan.
To resolve the situation where the two of them refused to have anything to do with me, I had to give them the impression that they could profit through me. I had to make them come looking for me of their own accord.
To achieve that, I needed to be perceived as an undeniably successful celebrity. However, it took time for an idol targeting the 10s and 20s demographic to etch their name into the minds of the middle-aged.
There were several ways to drastically shorten this timeframe, but among those that were ethically sound and capable of spreading rapidly nationwide, nothing beat advertisements.
‘Dramas take a long time to air after filming, and long-term variety shows only start gaining exposure once they’ve found their footing.’
Furthermore, UA wouldn't even need to promote the ads. That was the domain of the advertisers and agencies. My goal was to achieve maximum effect with minimum effort.
After deciding on my strategy, I spent time researching which advertisers to appeal to. No industry poured money into ads like the financial sector, but since there were few precedents for male idols being cast there, I aimed for somewhere with more potential.
I looked for a field that sought models with a clean, upright image, focused more on promoting the brand or the company itself rather than a specific product, and had a budget generous enough for long-term platform contracts.
After diligent research, I reached a conclusion. The route I needed to take was that of an honorary ambassador or public service announcements (PSAs). Compared to major corporations or luxury brands, the hurdle to becoming a model was lower, while the scale of marketing would expand to regional or even governmental levels.
Next, I just had to utilize the meme-worthy assets I possessed. Using my transformation into a 'pro-labor idol' as a springboard, I talked my head off during my stint at the 'Worry Sharing Meeting' and gave another special lecture on Web Cell. When I was invited to a MeTube variety show, I spoke about the dark side of the entertainment industry and potential improvements—staying just within the lines so UA wouldn't get pelted with stones.
After a series of such steps, I became...
"Hyung, did you see this? Your nickname got super long."
"Nickname?"
"The worker's megaphone who created the lightstick of revolution and whose personal color is Yeouido Office Worker Gray, a proletarian soul trapped in a young body, the one who uses two brains—Do Yeong-hwan and Iwol, the True Iwol-shell, a walking law firm specializing in the Labor Standards Act, the man who can't live without labor law..."
"That is indeed long."
...That. It meant I had successfully established a solid, wholesome image.
My efforts finally bore fruit.
"An honorary ambassador?"
"Yes! They said you were the number one candidate!"
Ju-gyeong said with a bright smile.
It was a relief that it worked out. Moreover, it was a nationwide ambassadorship. It would have been hard to find a more perfect fit.
"An honorary ambassador... for the Ministry of Employment and Labor?"
Except for the part where I actually became a 'Union Idol.'
I was a bit taken aback. I hadn't expected to be chosen by such a high-level government body. At most, I thought I'd be promoting startup support policies or a workplace power trip counseling service. I thought I’d be successful if I just appeared in the videos they play for commuters on the Line 2 circular route.
"The government is pushing youth policies lately. It seems they were looking for a young face to promote them," Ju-gyeong added. It was something I could have guessed to some extent.
I didn't look like I was making so much money that people would scoff, 'As if we can relate to a rich idol doing an ad,' and as a freelancer, I was a good candidate to promote under the guise of supporting young artists. It was a casting choice with plenty of good excuses.
‘My face is really going to be all over the country.’
An advertisement on the level of the Ministry of Employment and Labor would be broadcast across all media, including TV and radio. To promote a new policy, they would likely pour in a budget of a completely different dimension.
"Since it's a PSA, the appearance fee isn't huge, but it's an image no other idol has shown before, and it suits your vibe so well that I think it's a great opportunity. What do you think, Iwol?"
Ju-gyeong asked. The answer, of course, was yes.
Adults have dreams too. And they say there is no age limit to achieving them.
[[IMG_1]]
「We envision a better world.」
After thirty years of waiting, a commoner named Mister Kim finally achieved his dream.
[[IMG_2]]
「A future where labor shifts from a means of survival to a part of life.」
I had become the Ministry of Employment and Labor's ambassador... no, honorary ambassador, just as I had dreamed. If you wish for something earnestly enough, it really does come true.
[[IMG_3]]
「Protecting your value, the Ministry of Employment and Labor.」
Actually, I hadn't wished for it that much, but I was so stunned I was just saying whatever came to mind. I thought if I ever appeared in Ministry of Employment and Labor materials, it would be as a case study for workplace power trips. Life truly is full of surprises.
Seeing myself dressed in a sharp suit, roleplaying as a professional-looking office worker, filled me with a strange emotion. I felt like I was losing my sense of reality the whole time I watched the rough cut.
"Where exactly did you say this would be shown?"
When I asked Manager Chan-yeong, who was standing beside me, he replied:
"Subway electronic displays and inside trains in Seoul, over 200 major bus stops including Seoul Station, and elevators in the Ministry of Employment and Labor and its affiliated organizations. It’ll be on TV, too."
"Will it only be on public broadcast channels?"
"The frequency will be lower, but it’ll pop up on other channels too. It might even show up as an interstitial ad on sports channels, though that’s not confirmed yet."
"And there will be print ads too, right?"
"An official notice will go out to post the posters on community center bulletin boards, and a miniature version of the poster will be in the KTX monthly magazine."
My face was truly about to be plastered everywhere. What would those people think when they saw the face of the son they kicked out of the house?
When curious about such things, one can simply use a search portal. By entering search terms an average person might think of, like 'honorary ambassador salary,' 'honorary ambassador benefits,' or 'honorary ambassador activity fees,' I could roughly estimate the results.
Many articles covered the fact that 'honorary ambassadorships are technically honorary positions, but in reality, they often involve high appearance fees.'
Once they realize the child they threw away is making money and making a name for himself, they will be the ones to reach out first, despite having cut contact. They’ll approach with a humble and friendly attitude.
Even if the mentions of money are sparse, they won't fail to anticipate the butterfly effect. Once their gears start turning, they’ll start calculating my potential value on their own.
‘I don’t expect an immediate effect from just one ad, but still.’
You can't get full on the first spoonful. For now, I was satisfied that the first button was fastened so luxuriously, and I decided to use this favorable environment as a foundation to set my bait more thoroughly.
What would those people say when they saw me? That they should be compensated for raising me? That I’ve done too well for my station?
I thought for a moment and then stopped. I had made a pinky promise with Jeong Seong-bin not to dwell on bad thoughts. There were plenty of other things to spend my time on besides being consumed by the past.
≫ [CONGRATS] Kim I-wol Appointed Ministry of Employment and Labor Honorary Ambassador [CONGRATS]
Not a joke, it’s for real
(Photo)
└ The way he’s all suited up lolololol so annoying help me ㅠㅠㅠ
└ The Muse of the Ministry of Employment and Labor, Kim I-wol
└ LMAO
└ I thought this might happen, but now that it’s real, it feels so weird
└ My own little labor consultant has become world-class
≫ The article is out
“Spark’s Iwol Appointed Honorary Ambassador for Ministry of Employment and Labor... An Unprecedented Move”
└ It definitely is unprecedented
└ Spoken like the man who made everyone memorize 1350 (labor counseling hotline) whenever they need help
└└ But he’s an idol...
≫ Specs of the newly appointed Ministry of Employment and Labor Ambassador
Knows how to tie a manual necktie
Possesses practical skills to create school record templates
Can use over twenty Web Cell shortcuts
Record holder for creating a business Dotion page in 10 minutes
Debuted on an OTT platform with office worker acting
Broke all-time viewership records for a program with resigned employee acting
Conducted public office worker counseling for free
And finally
Has experience in multiple lawsuits due to labor disputes
If Iwol has to write another legal complaint, you guys at UA are dead. Watch yourselves if you don't want to be defendants.
└ Hard agree on the last line ㅠㅠ Do your job right if you don't want to be on the cover of a dispute casebook
└ This is the guy who was writing 'Dark History Diaries' before he even got his ID card... He’s built different from birth
└ How is a regular worker supposed to compete with this... I feel a sense of relative deprivation
└ Labor Spoon
└└ What the heck is a Labor Spoon lololol
└ It’s so ridiculous and funny how consistent his career looks when you write it out like this ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
After the news of my appointment as the Ministry of Employment and Labor's honorary ambassador was made public, passionate reactions poured in from all over.
Some said they were tired of the 'concept' acting, while others found it purely hilarious. Fortunately, the majority of fans accepted it with a vibe of 'This kind of idol is rare.'
As for the opinions telling me to tone down the concept, I just had to respond by strictly separating the ambassadorship from my idol work. I hadn't planned on being over-the-top once I landed the ad anyway. I didn't want people to feel fatigued by excessive exposure.
Having achieved my goal, I decided to wait for my face to be sold appropriately, while only stepping in to prevent my image from being consumed in an overly strange direction.
‘The most important thing, after all, will be the next promotion.’
I checked my calendar, busily tapping the arrow keys left and right. According to the annual plan, I had to start planning the album immediately to release it at the right time and prepare for a concert at the end of the year.
I was opening my notepad to see if there were any good ideas I’d tucked away when Jeong Seong-bin’s phone vibrated.
"Hyung, do you mind if I take this call?"
"Huh? Go ahead."
After asking for permission, Jeong Seong-bin gave a small bow and answered the phone.
"Yes, Hyung."
The fact that Jeong Seong-bin, who strictly called school seniors 'Sunbae' or 'Sunbaenim,' used the title 'Hyung' meant the person on the other end was a manager. He didn't have any other older acquaintances he was close enough with to talk to on the phone.
Since they were calling at this hour, it was likely Manager Chan-yeong. He was still handling most urgent matters and emergency contacts.
I had unintentionally and rudely deduced the identity of someone else's caller. Feeling apologetic, I tried to focus back on my laptop, but then Jeong Seong-bin spoke.
"The members? Everyone is at the dorm."
Though they told us not to wander around at night, UA rarely cracked down hard on Spark. The Spark members weren't the type to go out and cause trouble, and since our debut, our schedule had become so packed that once we were dropped off at the dorm, everyone just went straight to their rooms without needing any supervision.
So why would they suddenly do a surprise roll call?
I had a bad feeling. Something was going wrong.
"...Pardon?"
Jeong Seong-bin’s voice grew louder. His face was clouded with bewilderment.
"Yes, yes. I’ll tell the members right away. Yes, I understand."
I could feel it. The aura of a schedule falling apart.