Backstreet Police
Backstreet Police.
Park Yu-hyeon, the head of the division, crossed his legs with leisurely ease.
"So, in other words,"
He cut himself off and looked at the Team 3 leader.
"Team 3 wants to take on Backstreet Police, Team Leader Kim Hae-chan?"
Kim Hae-chan answered with his usual pleasant smile.
"Yes, Head Director. If you give us the chance, I’ll do my best."
"Taking on a project is fine, but does Team 3 even have an actor with that kind of scale right now?"
Kim Hae-chan answered without hesitation.
"Actor Lee Seung-jun is currently on break."
Park Yu-hyeon stroked his chin, lost in thought.
"Lee Seung-jun... the one managed by Chief Manager Lee Jae-min, correct?"
"Yes, that’s right. He’s just finished group activities and entered a rest period. If you entrust Backstreet Police to us, I’ll take full responsibility and make sure it goes well."
For the first time in a while, Kim Hae-chan’s eyes were burning with enthusiasm.
Park Yu-hyeon watched him for a long moment, then said, "Team Leader Kim Hae-chan, how long has it been since you joined Baekhak?"
"Pardon?"
"Was it ten years ago? I think that was around when I first met you."
The sudden question left Kim Hae-chan momentarily flustered, but he quickly answered.
"To be exact, it was sixteen years ago, Head Director."
"Has it already been that long?"
"Haha, even I’m sometimes surprised by how fast time passes."
With a calm smile, Park Yu-hyeon said, "You know how much I value you, don’t you?"
Kim Hae-chan’s eyes widened.
Park Yu-hyeon is saying something like this?
It was strange.
After all, this was not the kind of thing Park Yu-hyeon, who had watched Kim Hae-chan at his side for sixteen years, would normally say.
But Kim Hae-chan quickly composed himself and answered carefully.
"Of course I do, Head Director."
"You’re a sore spot for me, Team Leader."
"You’ve always trusted me. I’m sorry I haven’t lived up to your expectations."
At that, Park Yu-hyeon nodded.
"I’m assigning Backstreet Police to Team 3."
"!"
"I’ll contact the SBC drama department head personally, so focus on managing Actor Lee Seung-jun together with Chief Manager Lee Jae-min."
A bright smile spread across Kim Hae-chan’s face.
"I’ll work hard, Head Director!"
Park Yu-hyeon rose from his seat and walked over to Kim Hae-chan.
Then he straightened the man’s crooked tie for him.
Startled again by the sudden gesture, Kim Hae-chan tensed.
What is wrong with Park Yu-hyeon today?
This was different from usual.
After setting Kim Hae-chan’s tie straight with his own hands, Park Yu-hyeon patted him on the shoulder.
"You can go now, Team Leader."
After a brief glance at Park Yu-hyeon’s mood, Kim Hae-chan lowered his head in a bow.
"I’ll take my leave, Head Director."
He left the head office.
Park Yu-hyeon stood where he was, quietly watching Kim Hae-chan’s departing back.
***
The day after my meeting with Park Yu-hyeon.
As soon as I got to work, I was summoned by him.
Still half-awake, I opened the door to his office, and Park Yu-hyeon explained the situation in blunt, concise terms.
"Chief Manager Kwon. Push Actor Kwon Hyeon-bin for The Wise Life of a Namhae Intern Doctor."
"!"
My eyes widened.
Head Director Park is giving me an answer this fast?
I was a little... puzzled.
And for good reason. Backstreet Police was such a huge package that I’d expected Park Yu-hyeon to take quite a bit of time before making a decision.
But under his steady gaze, I couldn’t afford to hesitate any longer and hurriedly replied, "Thank you, Head Director."
"It’s too early to be thanking me."
"..."
"It’s the project Chief Manager Kwon and Actor Kwon Hyeon-bin stubbornly chose."
Park Yu-hyeon looked at me steadily.
"You can bring the result with it, correct?"
I answered at once.
"Of course, Head Director."
"Good. You can go."
"Yes, please rest, Head Director."
After leaving his office, I tilted my head.
"...What is it? With his personality, Head Director Park wouldn’t be the type to give up on Backstreet Police that easily."
No matter how I thought about it, I couldn’t make sense of it.
I kept mulling it over for a long while, but in the end I couldn’t find an answer.
Clicking my tongue, I muttered, "Well. The result’s already out there. Is there any point in dwelling on the process?"
In the end, I’d dodged the bomb that was Backstreet Police.
With a slight lift at the corner of my mouth, I immediately picked up my smartphone.
After a few rings, a strange voice came through.
-Yes, I’ve got it. This is PD Ho Seon-nam from MBN.
I cleared my throat and spoke slowly.
"Hello, PD Ho Seon-nam. This is Chief Manager Kwon from Baekhak Team 5."
-...A chief manager from Baekhak?
"Yes. I’m calling about The Wise Life of a Namhae Intern Doctor..."
I let my words trail off and curled my lips upward.
"Actor Kwon Hyeon-bin has expressed interest in The Wise Life of a Namhae Intern Doctor, so I’m calling. Is the lead role still open by any chance?"
***
MBN Drama Department, head office.
Director Kang Yun-ho was skimming entertainment news when he frowned.
"Unbelievable. They haven’t even done a script reading and they’re already hammering out ads for the drama?"
With an irritated snort, Director Kang threw his smartphone onto the sofa.
Then he got to his feet and paced for a while before muttering, "Haa... but this really is huge."
The next project from one of the industry’s most celebrated writers, Lee Na-yoon.
Not only that, but a project with a production budget of 40 billion won, and one being hailed as the biggest sensation of the year: Backstreet Police.
As proof, it was already drawing enormous attention before the script reading had even begun.
"...Should we give up on this one too?"
SBC had come in swinging.
They’d secured Lee Na-yoon as the writer and thrown 40 billion won into production, and on top of that, they were even talking about casting Hallyu star Kwon Hyeon-bin as the lead.
Thanks to that, rumors were already circulating that all the other broadcasters besides MBN would have to surrender next year’s second-quarter Wednesday-Thursday drama slot.
We’re already under pressure from the board to cut production costs, and I can’t imagine us beating Backstreet Police with The Wise Life of a Namhae Intern Doctor...
Was it only impossible to beat?
If Backstreet Police sucked all the viewers in, it could end up recording the lowest ratings in history.
At the thought that it might become the first drama in MBN history to sink into the decimals, Director Kang cried out in alarm.
"No way. Absolutely not!"
He couldn’t leave such a stain on a career that had only ever known success.
It looked like he’d either have to reshuffle the programming slot or scrap the project now before it was too late.
Right. How is a human being supposed to beat an elephant?
Sometimes, avoiding the fight was the right answer.
Just as Director Kang had made up his mind and was about to call PD Ho, the overall producer for The Wise Life of a Namhae Intern Doctor...
that very PD Ho appeared on his own.
"Director Kang!"
Director Kang’s eyes widened.
"...What, PD Ho? How did you know I was about to call you and come first?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"No, never mind. Good timing."
The director went straight to the point.
"PD Ho, I think we need to scrap the current programming for The Wise Life of a Namhae Intern Doctor."
PD Ho’s eyes went round.
"What? What do you mean, Director?"
"You know about Backstreet Police, right?"
"Of course. You mean that drama SBC is preparing for next year’s second quarter?"
"Exactly. Do you think we can go up against a 40-billion-won drama written by Lee Na-yoon and come out on top?"
PD Ho scratched his head, looking flustered.
"Well... I can’t exactly say I’m confident about that either..."
"So you can’t be sure in this situation? Fine. I’m not even asking for double-digit ratings. Could we at least hit five percent?"
PD Ho fell silent.
Watching him, Director Kang let out a deliberate sigh.
"PD Ho, I know you’ve got high hopes for this project."
"..."
"But we have to be realistic. A 40-billion-won drama is like a natural disaster. How is a human supposed to beat a natural disaster? We should either scrap The Wise Life of a Namhae Intern Doctor or move it to another time slot. That would be better, wouldn’t it?"
PD Ho muttered in a gloomy voice, "...So the slot is getting canceled?"
"Don’t be too disappointed. Rather than scrapping the project outright, let’s try moving it to a different time slot. But the schedule is already packed, so it might not be easy..."
"Baekhak said Actor Kwon Hyeon-bin is interested in the project... this is a mess."
"?"
"If we change the slot, Actor Kwon Hyeon-bin might refuse to appear... Still, I understand, Director."
With a string of sighs, PD Ho turned to leave the office.
Watching his back, Director Kang suddenly shouted, "Wait, stop! PD Ho!"
"Yes, Director?"
"What did you just say? Actor Kwon Hyeon-bin said he would appear in The Wise Life of a Namhae Intern Doctor?"
PD Ho tilted his head.
"Yes, that’s right."
"Explain that in detail!"
"Uh... just now, I got a call from the chief manager in charge of Actor Kwon Hyeon-bin, and they said Actor Kwon Hyeon-bin wants to appear in The Wise Life of a Namhae Intern Doctor."
"!"
"But if we’re going to scrap the schedule for the project, wouldn’t we have to turn them down..."
Director Kang shot to his feet and yelled, "Turn them down? What turn them down!"
He hurried PD Ho along, flustered and nearly frantic.
"Tell them right now that we’re proceeding with the current schedule exactly as it is! No, wait, I’ll call them myself! Who’s the chief manager in charge of Actor Kwon Hyeon-bin?"
***
Less than an hour after my call with PD Ho, the phone rang again.
After slipping into the pantry and locking the door, I answered it.
"Yes, this is Chief Manager Kwon."
-Ah, are you the chief manager in charge of Actor Kwon Hyeon-bin? This is Director Kang Yun-ho from MBN Drama Department.
"?"
At the sudden appearance of the head of MBN Drama Department, my mouth slowly opened.
...The drama department director called me directly?
While I was still a little dazed by the unexpected turn, Director Kang Yun-ho asked in a hurried voice,
-I heard Baekhak is interested in our The Wise Life of a Namhae Intern Doctor.
Pulling myself together, I answered calmly.
"Yes, that’s right, Director."
-...I heard Actor Kwon Hyeon-bin wants the lead role. Is that correct?
"Yes, it is."
I could hear Director Kang swallow on the other end of the line.
-I heard Actor Kwon Hyeon-bin is going to lead Backstreet Police. Was that not the case?
"The situation has changed."
-!
"Actor Kwon Hyeon-bin now wants The Wise Life of a Namhae Intern Doctor instead of Backstreet Police."
A low groan slipped from Director Kang’s mouth.
-I-is that really true?
At his disbelieving tone, I answered with easy confidence.
"Yes, it’s true."
-...I think we need to meet and talk this through. When would you be available, Chief Manager Kwon?
"This week is difficult. I think next week would be the earliest I could meet."
-Understood. We’ll work around that on our end. Let’s set it up quickly!
After arranging the meeting date and hanging up, I muttered belatedly in an unsettled voice, "...I knew they’d welcome it, but the drama department director called me personally?"
Well, look at that.
Things were starting to get interesting.
Not like before, but the influence of a terrestrial network drama department director was still immense.
If the drama department director himself is stepping in, then Kwon Hyeon-bin’s casting is basically set.
No, was it only the casting?
Maybe...
I could get something even bigger than I’d expected.
The corner of my mouth slowly curled upward.
"Looks like something’s going to happen again..."
Suppressing a laugh, I stepped out of the pantry.
That was when I heard a familiar burst of laughter.
"Hey, stop flattering me! It’s not like I did anything but sign the project!"
Turning my head, I saw Chief Manager Lee Jae-min from Team 3 and his staff gathered together, laughing and chattering.
Why does Chief Manager Lee Jae-min look so pleased?
He was the type who usually didn’t care about other people’s affairs, so seeing him like that made me curious for no reason.
Just then, Lee Jae-min, looking especially cheerful today, met my gaze and spoke first.
"Oh, Chief Manager Kwon. Where were you?"
I answered casually.
"I just got off a call."
"Oh? What kind of offer was it?"
"It was a call from MBN Drama Department."
Lee Jae-min’s eyes widened.
"MBN Drama Department? Why?"
"About Actor Kwon Hyeon-bin’s next project."
Lee Jae-min walked over and patted my shoulder in a familiar way.
Startled, I leaned back.
"Why are you doing this all of a sudden?"
"No... haha. Seeing how hard our Chief Manager Kwon is working made my heart ache all of a sudden."
...I was working hard?
What hardship?
Then an unexpected story came spilling out of Lee Jae-min’s mouth.
"It must be rough managing a top star, Chief Manager Kwon, right?"
"?"
"You must have had such a hard time. A Hallyu star got afflicted with artist’s disease and ended up missing out on a 40-billion-won drama like Backstreet Police."
At that, my eyes widened.
"...Why are we suddenly talking about Backstreet Police?"
"Heh, because our Seung-jun is taking on the Backstreet Police that Kwon Hyeon-bin passed on!"
"!"
"You really never know how the world turns out! Who could’ve guessed things would go this way? It was obviously a blockbuster destined for success, and then suddenly Actor Kwon Hyeon-bin gets hit with actor syndrome. What a shame."
Lee Jae-min was comforting me with words that were meant to be irritating.
At that, a low sigh slipped from my mouth.
...So Lee Jae-min got hold of Backstreet Police.
So that was why he looked so happy?
Meanwhile, Lee Jae-min gave my shoulder a light tap and said, "Still, Chief Manager Kwon, it’s disappointing, sure, but let’s not let something like this hurt our feelings, okay?"
At his suggestion, I stared at him for a moment, then broke into a broad smile.
"...Of course, Chief Manager Lee Jae-min."
"?"
"I’ll support you sincerely. This time, let’s both win."
Maybe because that wasn’t the reaction he expected?
Lee Jae-min stammered, flustered.
"R-right! This time, let’s both win...!"
Smiling again, I turned away.
Behind me, the voices of Team 3’s staff drifted over.
"Wow, Chief Manager Lee Jae-min! You finally landed one clean hit!"
"Kyaa! Seeing Chief Manager Lee Jae-min beat Chief Manager Kwon is so refreshing!"
"Even the great Chief Manager Kwon has to stumble once in a while, right?"
At their whispers, I couldn’t help laughing again.
Just then, Team Leader Ma Seok-du opened the door and came in.
"Huh, Chief Manager Kwon?"
Ma Seok-du tilted his head.
"Got some good news? The corners of your mouth are... up by your eyes."
At that, I finally burst out laughing and answered, "Ah, things are just going so amusingly."
"...What’s that supposed to mean? You, you didn’t... cause another accident, did you?"
"What accident? More importantly, Team Leader Ma Seok-du."
Waving my cigarette pack, I asked, "Want to have a smoke together after a while?"
***
I went up to the rooftop with Seok-du hyung. We sat side by side on the bench, smoking, when Team Leader Ma Seok-du naturally began lecturing me.
"Hey, but seriously, what were you thinking, calling Kwon Hyeon-bin and Seo Tae-jun at the same time?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Why do I ask? Isn’t it because of that that you got yourself another nickname?"
"What nickname?"
Ma Seok-du let out a long sigh.
"Chief Manager Kwon’s brigade!"
"?"
"People in other departments are calling you and your actors Chief Manager Kwon’s brigade! Like you marched in there like the commander of an army division!"
Laughter burst out of me.
"Seriously? They’re calling me that?"
"Yeah, you punk! There isn’t a single person left at Baekhak who doesn’t know you now!"
"...Mm, that’s a little horrifying."
"Tone it down a bit, you punk! Why are you standing out so much these days?"
After finishing his first round of nagging, Ma Seok-du moved on to round two.
"Anyway, Actor Kwon Hyeon-bin really isn’t doing Backstreet Police?"
"..."
"Every manager I’ve run into lately has only been talking about Backstreet Police. Haa! Why would Actor Kwon Hyeon-bin turn it down? Doesn’t sound like there was any room to persuade him?"
Hearing that, a grin spread across my face again.
Damn it, really.
I’d been laughing so much for a while now that my cheeks were starting to hurt, and I couldn’t even stop it.
"...Backstreet Police went to Lee Jae-min, Team Leader Ma."
"What! Lee Jae-min got it instead?"
"Yeah. Apparently it’s going to Lee Seung-jun."
Ma Seok-du slapped his forehead.
"A 40-billion-won drama lead role for Lee Seung-jun? What in the world happened here?"
Exactly. What had happened to Lee Jae-min?
Laughing, I snuffed out my cigarette.
"Oh, right, Team Leader Ma."
"Ugh... what now?"
"Do you happen to know any decent tailor shops?"
Ma Seok-du tilted his head.
"A tailor shop out of nowhere?"
"I got invited to an awards ceremony."
"An awards ceremony? What awards ceremony?"
I said it lightly.
"The Baeksang Arts Awards."
Ma Seok-du’s eyes flew wide open.
Watching his reaction with unhurried satisfaction, I joked, "This time, Actor Kwon Hyeon-bin and I were invited to the Baeksang Arts Awards, but I don’t have a suit. Do you know a good tailor shop by any chance?"
The Baeksang Arts Awards, carrying more prestige than the three terrestrial broadcasters’ drama awards and entertainment awards alike.
That ceremony was just around the corner.