Chapter 216
Chapter 216
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 216
Chapter Title: Once Again
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So Joong-han in an Arabian outfit reminiscent of Sinbad, wearing a hamburger model on his head. Yoon Woo-sung wearing a soda cup model. Seo Bang-il with a french fry model hanging from his neck. And Jang Hyun-seung, holding a steel delivery case and wearing a helmet, looked at each other with miserable faces. Then, their gazes shifted to me.
Their eyes were filled with resentment, as if to ask, ‘Are these really the right outfits?’
“Aha. Seeing such serious-looking people dressed like this… I think the ad will turn out great.”
Managing Director Lee Woon-young, a man who seemed incapable of making mistakes, looked at the Earl Grey members and couldn't bring himself to say what he really thought, trailing off instead.
“Ahem. Well then, I’ll be in your hands.”
Seemingly embarrassed, Managing Director Lee Woon-young made to leave.
“We’ll be in your hands as well.”
At my words, the Earl Grey members bowed their heads. Money was great, but for some reason, they looked pitiful. However, I was certain they would soon become slaves to money.
“This time, since it’s the first shoot, it was 20 million, but the next contract will start at 50 million.”
“!”
The Earl Grey members looked shocked.
Seo Bang-il couldn't hold back his curiosity and spoke up.
“You’re talking about this commercial, right? Fifty million when we renew this one?”
“Of course, we’ll have to raise your advertising power ranking before then, but we should get at least 50 million for similar commercials. We did this one for a bargain since you have no recognition and plenty of free time right now.”
“……”
“I can guarantee it, you’ll get a 50 million contract right after this ad airs. So lose the long faces and shoot with energy. I’d even bet my director position at JD Enter on it.”
As if they had never been gloomy, excitement filled the faces of the Earl Grey members.
“You need to look energetic and excited.”
“Yes!”
In that instant, my Charisma trait activated, consuming the members of Earl Grey.
“Let’s move to a new place by the end of the year!”
“Let’s move!”
The Earl Grey members shouted energetically, then looked bewildered.
“If you’re ready, we’ll start rolling.”
Though they had shouted in a daze, the Earl Grey members were now full of fighting spirit.
♪♬
One more for me
A burger with deep flavor
♪♬
They belted out the lyrics with all their might, even though they knew a separate audio track would be dubbed in for the broadcast.
Managing Director Lee Woon-young, who had approached me at some point, spoke with a pleased expression.
“Wow. They looked so depressed just a moment ago. How did they get so fired up all of a sudden?”
“Isn’t it a manager’s job to help artists find their strength when they’re struggling?”
Smiling, Managing Director Lee Woon-young approached the production staff who were monitoring the shoot.
“Please make sure to save the audio from this part carefully. It might be good to try adding it to the final cut.”
“Yes, Managing Director. We’re saving everything to the cloud in real-time.”
The flaws that had ruined their vocal cords after just a few training sessions had been considerably mitigated. It was clearly the result of trusting their trainer and diligently following their assignments.
♪♬
To the hungry you, a burger full of smoky flavor
I’ll run to you, holding it warmly
♪♬
Seeing the production staff and Managing Director Lee Woon-young watch with intrigued eyes every time the high notes came out from the comically dressed figures, I could see a bright future for Earl Grey.
A ridiculous appearance combined with outstanding skill that needed no sound effects. This was an irresistible combination.
* * *
“Why does he want to see me so often these days? Is he really tired of drinking with women?”
Gyeon Sang-jin entered the room with a relaxed smile and sat down.
At Gyeon Sang-jin’s words, Chairman Park Hyun-soo of KGM gave a bitter smile.
“So you’ve put out the urgent fire, huh? Should I just swallow you whole?”
“Hah. And you think I’d just serve myself up on a platter for you?”
Gyeon Sang-jin spoke with an air of confidence, but he knew that in a real fight, he would inevitably lose.
Before the atmosphere could sour, Gyeon Sang-jin quickly changed the subject.
“I heard you got shot down too, Hyung?”
“……”
The smile vanished from Park Hyun-soo’s face as he downed his brandy.
“Please, if he was someone who could be swayed by a 30% salary increase, I would’ve snatched him up first. Not 50%, but 30%. Pfft.”
“Where did you hear that? And was it me who did it? It was one of my clumsy subordinates.”
“Right. The German army lost, not Hitler.”
“Pushing my buttons again?”
Gyeon Sang-jin continued to needle him just enough to not make him explode, then subtly changed the subject again.
“Heard you’re appearing on the audition show too, Hyung? How long has it been? About 10 years, right? Since that serpent bastard.”
Park Hyun-soo recalled the time he had appeared on the same audition program as a head producer, only to be humiliated by CEO Park Jae-yong several times.
“That bastard talks way too much.”
“Thanks to that, he’s been paying for his sins for over a decade. I wonder if he still doesn’t know? About your invisible hand, Hyung.”
“Hah. Don’t make me laugh. At least I messed with him behind the scenes. You attacked him openly.”
“You were the one who pushed me to do it, Hyung. You stayed in the back and put me at the front.”
“Why is the one who benefited from it complaining so much?”
Gyeon Sang-jin and Park Hyun-soo both gave a bitter smile at the same time.
“Anyway, I hear that young punk is showing up this time too?”
“The world’s a funny place, isn’t it? Some young punk who doesn’t know a thing is a producer on the same level as us. Since when did every Tom, Dick, and Harry start calling themselves a producer?”
“Isn’t he a producer because he knows something?”
“I’m telling you, no. That guy’s just good at sales; he can’t even compose.”
Gyeon Sang-jin said, flaring up.
“Is that so?”
“He was a trainee under me for ages. You think I wouldn’t know that?”
“Then he’s in for a real humiliation from our Terry, isn’t he?”
“Hmph. That’s why you’re appearing together, right?”
“Kids these days don’t know me. I need to show them that the first generation didn't get here for free.”
* * *
Inside the CEO’s office at JD Enter.
The CEO and I were in a preliminary meeting with three writers and two PDs for ‘Once Again: Girl Group Edition,’ a show we would be participating in as JD’s head producers.
“CEO Gyeon Sang-jin, is he really appearing?”
“Yes.”
An opportunity had arrived to publicly humiliate and defeat Gyeon Sang-jin, an enemy to me and many others. The CEO seemed to share my thoughts, as a slight twitch crossed his smiling face.
“It’s a project to revive failed idols. We’ll be selecting 10 out of 200 contestants. The top four will choose their own companies, and the remaining six will be chosen by the companies, two each.”
“Oh, my. That sounds like a lot of pressure.”
Although the CEO spoke with reluctance, I could see his competitive spirit subtly flaring up.
“That’s so the producers will be more engaged, and more importantly, so the viewers can feel the thrill.”
The company with the most favorable viewers would have the advantage, right?
At first glance, it seemed we would be at a disadvantage, but JD Enter’s image had improved immensely during the time I’ve been active.
And in the end, wasn’t it the eye for good talent and producing ability that led to success?
“Since we’ve brought in six professional judges, there won’t be a separate panel.”
“Hahaha. You seem worried about dead air, but don’t you worry about that. You’ve seen the auditions I’ve run, haven’t you?”
“Yes, yes. We always have faith in your commentary, CEO Park Jae-yong.”
At the main writer’s words, the CEO spoke with a rather serious expression.
“But there’s one thing I must ask of you: please don’t edit my comments out of context. Sometimes, what airs is so different from my original intention that it puts me in a difficult position.”
“We’ll be sure to keep a close eye on that.”
Isn’t that less of a production issue and more because the CEO tends to ramble incoherently?
*Knock, knock.*
“Yes.”
The office door opened, and Director Lee Sun and Team Leader Lee entered, holding trays of coffee and cookies.
“Please have some while you talk.”
“Oh my, Director Lee Sun, you brought these yourself. Thank you. These cookies are from that famous place.”
“Our Director Min-jun will be very active. Please take good care of him.”
“Oh, he’s a director now?”
The two producers smirked, their expressions saying, ‘Trying hard to create some buzz.’ Reading their faces, the director spoke seriously.
“Yes. He’s an official internal director, elected by a board vote. And he’s the head of the New Artist Development Team.”
“I see. That sets up a perfect dynamic with Terry from KGM. Since they’re both at the director level.”
However, the main PD, Lee Hee-jin, had a genuinely positive reaction.
In fact, she seemed delighted at the thought of creating a fantastic rivalry with him—a head producer and director at the nation’s largest entertainment company in his late twenties.
“Congratulations. This will make for a much better narrative. The young blood of JD Enter, New Artist Development Team Head, Director Min-jun. We were wondering what to call Producer Min-jun for his introduction, so this is perfect. It’ll be great for setting up the dynamic with the other two companies.”
“Thank you.”
The director spoke with a satisfied look on her face.
“Well then, I’ll be on my way. I hope you have a productive meeting.”
“Yes, Director Lee Sun. I’ll see you for a moment later.”
“Of course.”
Director Lee Sun and Team Leader Lee left the office, and the CEO began to speak again.
“I think it’s a wonderful concept. Giving another chance to those unfortunate people who have talent but failed.”
“When we first heard it, we thought, ‘This is it.’ With the flood of audition shows, we wanted something with a stronger dramatic element.”
“What? Isn’t this a concept from you, the PDs and writers?”
“Ah… you didn’t know? It was an idea from Director Min-jun.”
The two who had subtly sneered at the news of my directorship, along with the CEO, stared at me with surprised faces.
“Originally, we were thinking of using trainees from each company like usual, but Director Min-jun misunderstood and thought we were getting production support from the agencies. When I told him that wasn’t the case at all, he suggested this idea.”
Following PD Lee Hee-jin’s words, I added an explanation.
“You know how it is in our country. Once you fail, it’s hard to get back up. I thought giving them another chance, even if it’s just on TV, would be more positive for both the contestants and the viewers.”
“That’s right. Since the contract is for two years of promotions, they don’t necessarily have to be young.”
After ‘Once Again’ ends, they’ll follow a schedule set by the broadcast station and promoters for two years before disbanding. But if the interests of the members and their agencies align, they might be able to promote further.
“Ahh. Our Director Min-jun is so thoughtful. How could I not give him an executive position? Right, PD-nim, writers?”
“I agree. You’ve discovered a great talent, CEO.”
“Hahaha! Speaking of which, when our Director Min-jun came for his audition…”
There he goes again. Too much talk.
To me, it was a boring and obvious story, but it seemed to be surprisingly interesting to the production staff, who focused on the CEO’s words for a good ten minutes.
“Lastly, is there anyone not from your agency that you think, ‘This person was good, it’s a shame they didn’t make it big’?”
I immediately thought of Sseondi, the main dancer who came to the company dinner with Seul-bi. Someone with great talent, but at 27, it was difficult for her to start anew.
Just as I was about to speak, the CEO opened his mouth first.
“How about Sseondi? Her contract with KGM Futures should be over by now.”
Surprisingly, the CEO remembered her too. It seems he didn't just see her as someone to sit next to and listen to his chatter at the dinner.
“Her contract is over?”
At PD Lee Hee-jin’s question, the CEO spoke with a solemn expression, as if having made a great decision.
“If she needs an agency, we’ll sign her.”
“No, no. The concept is failed idols without an agency. If she has one, it’ll cause gossip.”
“Oh, right. That’s true.”
The solemn expression vanished in three seconds.
“I really hope this show does well. We want to move right into the next project.”
“Is there something else?”
“If we hit 3% viewership, we’re planning a concept where we take an entire failed group, not just individuals, and remake them. The follow-up program is five months long, so the timing is perfect.”
PD Lee Hee-jin’s words made me think of Si-ah’s group, Enpink, who were failing in real-time because their song lacked a proper hook.
I had hoped it was a strategy to gain attention with that song before promoting with a great follow-up track, but from the looks of it, they were just running them ragged at events to squeeze out the last bit of profit.
It wasn't necessarily because the people at that agency were fools; I couldn't ignore the possibility that they just didn't have the money.
Anyway, if I could just get my hands on Enpink’s failed song? I was confident I could make it a 100% success.