Chapter 166
Chapter 166
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 166
Chapter Title: The Producer's Pitch
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Director Lee Joo-won was meeting with PD Im Ji-hoon on the rooftop.
“Is the planning going well?”
“Yes. We've laid out the concept and the script turned out well.”
Despite the progress, PD Im Ji-hoon's face was clouded with worry.
“But looking at your face, you seem troubled by something.”
Director Lee Joo-won, who was also a senior producer, had already guessed what was troubling the passionate and righteous PD Im Ji-hoon, whom he was hoping to nurture.
“Honestly, it's not easy.”
Director Lee Joo-won smiled faintly at PD Im Ji-hoon's words and began to speak.
“‘For a debut project to succeed, it needs buzz. To create buzz, it’s crucial to cast people who will generate issues.’”
“‘But the casting I started so confidently is proving surprisingly difficult. I’m the PD, I’m supposed to be in charge, so why is it so hard to cast these celebrities, who are just parts of the machine?’”
“‘It was never this hard on the shows I worked on with senior PDs. What happened to all my experience?’”
As Director Lee Joo-won recited these thoughts while looking at him, a chill ran down PD Im Ji-hoon's spine. Because it was all true.
“It's a common mistake to think you understand the contributions of every single person you work and breathe the same air with.”
“...”
“Even the newest junior writer works hard in their own way, and there are things only they can do.”
Director Lee Joo-won’s words were vague, but they brought many things back to PD Im Ji-hoon’s mind, making him feel uncomfortable with himself.
“The lineup isn't complete yet, is it?”
“I was planning on four people, but only three have been confirmed.”
“So you're missing one main cast member?”
“If it really doesn't work out, I'm considering my second choice...”
“No. You can't do that. You have to be even more meticulous with your debut project. Remember that manager from Answer we met last time? The one you subtly looked down on.”
At Director Lee Joo-won’s words, PD Im Ji-hoon’s face flushed with shame.
Min-jun, who he had dismissed as someone who just coasted on his looks, had become famous enough to be talked about in various circles. In particular, his planning skills, like personally creating storyboards to highlight his artists, and his quick thinking in crisis situations had spread through rumors, even reaching writers and PDs.
“I... did do that.”
“Hahaha. So you admit it. As it happens, the Answer members have a recording at our studio today.”
A look of embarrassment crossed PD Im Ji-hoon's face. He knew Min-jun was well aware of his dismissive attitude during their last meeting.
***
After finishing all our preparations, we departed for the KVM broadcast station.
“I've booked a schedule for next Thursday, too.”
At my words, the cheerful faces of the Answer members instantly stiffened.
“...Isn't that the day Seol-ah unni was supposed to meet Ye-jun?”
“Yeah, yeah. Min-jun oppa told us to say that.”
Seul-bi and Yi-na spoke cautiously, glancing at Seol-ah.
“I made an agreement with the PD of ‘Let’s Live Together.’ We’re going to film a reality segment of you and Ye-jun visiting the zoo.”
“Ah, really! You scared me!”
Yi-na grumbled with a smile, and the other members gave him a cute glare with an expression that said, ‘Of course you did.’
“If Seol-ah went on her own, she'd have to buy tickets and arrange for personal security. It would actually be more difficult.”
“That's right. They'll probably give us a fast pass or one of those limited tickets so we don't have to wait in line.”
“Of course they will. How could they film if we had to wait in line for an hour or two?”
The Answer members were delighted that this would be much more beneficial than a private outing.
“Naturally, the sponsors will provide staff to help us out, too.”
“As expected! Our Min-jun hyung is a miracle worker!”
Choi Yoo-jun, who was driving, seemed even more pleased.
“It was too last-minute to get a direct contract with the amusement park, but the PD promised to set up a good deal as PPL.”
“Whoa. Keeping a promise, getting some healing, and making money. Three birds with one stone!”
Choi Yoo-jun praised my accomplishment as if he were boasting about his own.
“Thank you for always taking care of us.”
Seol-ah said with sincere gratitude. The image of her now, overlapping with the memory of her once hostile demeanor, gave me a small sense of satisfaction.
“Guiding artists to peak condition and maximum profitability is what a chief does. This is nothing.”
“Booo!”
Seul-bi and Yi-na let out playful jeers, while Seol-ah and Ro-si laughed in amusement.
“Wow. Min-jun hyung wasn't like this in the old days. Lately, sometimes...”
“Sometimes what?”
“Should I say you seem more human than before?”
“Ahahat!”
All the Answer members burst out laughing.
“How long have we known each other for you to talk about the 'old days'?”
“A year is a long time.”
Choi Yoo-jun said confidently.
“That's right. You were a little scary when I first saw you at the salon.”
“I was most scared back then. When Team Leader Park took us to that cafe.”
Yi-na chimed in, agreeing with Seul-bi.
“Right. Team Leader Park got so scared of you he just ran away. It's still epic thinking about it.”
“But wasn't it kind of cool?”
“Yeah, yeah!”
Seul-bi and Yi-na reminisced excitedly.
“That cool person is still right here...”
Paying no mind to my words, Seul-bi and Yi-na continued to recount my exploits, while Ro-si and Seol-ah watched me with amusement.
*Vzzz.*
-Incoming call from <Tae-in>.
It was a welcome call from my friend in Fire Emblem.
“Hey, Tae-in. Aren't you busy?”
-*Whoa, Mr. Famous. Thanks to you, I'm not busy anymore.*
“What do you mean by that?”
For a moment, I worried that Fire Emblem had been negatively affected by my actions intended to vex Gyeon Sang-jin.
-*We were originally scheduled for a support broadcast for Your Girl tomorrow.*
“So the schedule got canceled because of me. Don't you have to reschedule it?”
-*They said our status is too high for domestic events now. We only do broadcasts and commercials in Korea, but I guess things didn't work out.*
“Sorry about that.”
-*Sorry for what? Thanks to you, I get a day off for the first time in six months. Thank you. The guys are thrilled.*
“Well, that's a relief.”
-*Are you free tonight? No, even if you're not, make time. We need to have a drink. And continue that conversation we were having last time.*
“Okay.”
When I hung up, I saw the Answer members staring at me with admiration.
“Is... is that Tae-in seonbae-nim?”
“Yeah.”
“Ooh.”
Although Answer was now enjoying a level of popularity others would envy, Fire Emblem was the celebrity of celebrities.
“I want to see them once.”
“The only thing I ever envied about Your Girl was that they were in the same company as the Fire Emblem seonbae-nims.”
Seul-bi and Yi-na said with a sigh.
“You'd be thrilled if the Fire Emblem members joined our company, wouldn't you?”
I said with a playful smile.
“Hehe. I wouldn't even dream of it. They're doing so well, there's no reason for them to move. You being friends with him is a personal thing.”
Yi-na said with a wide grin.
*It's going to happen soon, though.*
From the moment I acquired a stake in JD Enter, Fire Emblem's transfer was already a done deal.
It would be an opportunity for my assets, and those of my friends in Fire Emblem, to grow even larger.
The silhouette of our destination, the KVM broadcast station, began to come into view.
***
“I might leave to see the Director after watching the rehearsal, so take good care of the girls, Yoo-jun.”
“Don't you worry, Chief!”
Choi Yoo-jun's voice had grown louder ever since he started making some money thanks to me. To be precise, it was his sister, Choi Yoo-kyung, who was making the money, but still.
“He's a difficult person to meet, so I might be back right away.”
*Knock, knock, knock.*
“Just a moment!”
Before I could finish speaking, there was a knock, and Choi Yoo-jun quickly went to the entrance and peeked his head out.
“May we come in for a moment?”
“Oh... uh? Good day, sir!”
Choi Yoo-jun swung the door wide open and bowed deeply.
“It's a pleasure to see you all. I enjoyed your showcase as well.”
There was no need to go through the trouble of finding Director Lee Joo-won. He had come to Answer's waiting room, along with PD Im Ji-hoon, whom I'd first met at the lounge bar.
The Answer members and I shot up to our feet and bowed.
“Good day, Director!”
The Answer members' voices were filled with discipline.
Was Director Lee Joo-won truly a fan of Answer? I was convinced he was too profound a person to be acting on simple fandom.
Not that profound people couldn't be fans, but it was hard to understand this kind of behavior from the director of a major broadcasting company.
“Do you remember him?”
“Of course, I do. Hello, Director Im Ji-hoon.”
PD Im Ji-hoon extended his hand with a slightly awkward expression.
“I've been impressed with your work in many places. You too, Seol-ah.”
The expression of the man who had once dismissed me as some punk who only knew how to suck up had softened considerably.
Judging by how he mentioned both me and Seol-ah, he seemed to be referring to the time we saved Si-ah's father.
“I heard you had a broadcast, so I stopped by to cheer you on. Please continue to make great programs.”
“Thank you, Director. We'll work hard!”
The faces of the Answer members were filled with a sense of reassured joy.
“Min-jun, if you have a moment, shall we go out for a cup of coffee?”
“Yes. Let's go.”
I could see a look of awe on the faces of Choi Yoo-jun and the Answer members as I left to have coffee with Director Lee Joo-won.
I left the Answer members in Choi Yoo-jun's care and followed them. I expected to be taken to the director's office, but surprisingly, our destination was the cafe in the lobby.
“Coming here makes me feel a bit more human.”
After we ordered our coffee, people steered clear of our table. Broadcast station employees who were about to enter would quiet their steps and turn back around.
We were unintentionally driving away business.
“It seems JD Enter has been in a bit of an uproar lately. Has everything been resolved?”
“...Aren't rumors spread by competitors just part of the business?”
“Not that. I heard that JD Enter's ownership changed. There's even a ridiculous rumor going around that someone from a broadcast station is the majority shareholder.”
Remembering how CEO Park Jae-yong had mistaken Director Lee Joo-won for the majority shareholder, I felt a pang of guilt.
“If a media professional really did become the majority shareholder, it would be a clear violation of the Fair Trade Act. Though since it's a private equity fund, there would probably be loopholes to exploit.”
I figured speaking up would only lead to more questions that would put me in a difficult position, so I just nodded silently.
“In any case, please convey my wishes for your company's continued success to your Isa-nim and Daepyo-nim.”
“I will, Director.”
The peculiar smile on Director Lee Joo-won's face bothered me, but since he was at least amicable toward me, I wasn't worried.
“More importantly, there's a program that was planned based on an idea you gave me last time.”
Director Lee Joo-won glanced at PD Im Ji-hoon, who then began to speak.
“We've planned a show called ‘Idol of Cooking.’”
*I was already considering steering Seul-bi toward mukbang, so this seems like a great opportunity.*
“An idol who cooks... I think the viewers' response would be very favorable.”
I concealed my thoughts and spoke encouragingly.
“So, I know you're all busy these days, but if you could send just Seul-bi to us, we'll make it well worth your while.”
“Seul-bi?”
“Many viewers have been recommending Seul-bi. It seems to be because of her live streams.”
*It must have been because of the mukbangs Seul-bi did on her live streams, eating things like fried shepherd's purse and pig's head.*
*Just when I was thinking of putting Seul-bi on a show like this, they were the ones asking.* I smiled inwardly, but I put on a slightly troubled expression.
“...Seul-bi, out of the blue? I'm a little taken aback.”
“Hmm... I need to go say hello to that table over there. You two can talk.”
Director Lee Joo-won casually stood up and approached another table, where a production team of seasoned veterans looked flustered.
“Of course, I know she's busy with events and doing well on the dance variety show these days.”
Although only the third episode was about to air, he seemed to be accurately aware of Seul-bi's situation, with over ten episodes already recorded. He continued.
“You must know that after more than ten episodes, showing a new side of her is an effective way to prevent overexposure of her image.”
Was this really the same man who had looked at me like I was some kind of shady broker during our first encounter? Seeing him trying to persuade me with that same thoughtful and resolute demeanor felt surreal.
Of course, it also meant that Answer's and my own influence had grown that much.
*In that case, I'll have to pretend to reluctantly agree while steering them toward better terms.*