The Complete Package
He was certainly handsome, but there was a greasy, slick vibe about him that just wouldn't fade. And to top it off, his name was "Lee Dong-pal." Seeing that name engraved on the nameplate on his desk felt incredibly awkward. It would have felt less out of place if it had been some fancy French name instead.
Today, as always, the protagonist's atrocious personality made its grand appearance!
"I see you're looking at my nameplate. What do you think?"
"About what?"
"What did you think when you saw my name? Honestly," Lee Dong-pal asked with a mischievous grin.
Usually, when he asked this question, people would say things like, "I think it's a fine name," or "It's a unique and wonderful name." After all, he was the CEO, and the other party was here to sign a contract with him!
But Tae-hyun easily shattered Lee Dong-pal's expectations.
"I thought it sounded incredibly tacky."
"..."
It was an answer so brutally honest that even Jeong Jun-sik stared at Tae-hyun in sheer horror!
Jab, jab. Jeong Jun-sik nudged Tae-hyun's ribs with his elbow, but Tae-hyun didn't even blink.
"Bwahahaha!" Lee Dong-pal burst into roaring laughter, slamming his palm onto the desk. "Ta-tacky... You're the first person to ever give me an answer like that!"
"Aren't you angry or insulted?" Tae-hyun asked expectantly.
His eyes practically screamed, Surely you can't sign a contract with someone this rude, right?
But Lee Dong-pal also easily shattered Tae-hyun's expectations.
"No, actually, I love it! I love that you're honest. Everyone says, 'I'm honest,' or 'I have a very straightforward personality,' but when you actually put them to the test, truly honest people are hard to find. In that sense, I really like how blunt you are."
Tae-hyun's face fell slightly. Phase one of the plan: Failure!
"Do you know what I prioritize most when signing a contract?"
"I have no idea."
"It's the vibe!"
"Uh, isn't that the absolute worst possible answer for a business contract?"
"Who cares! That's how I've succeeded all this time!" Lee Dong-pal spread his arms wide like a theatrical actor.
Tae-hyun subtly slid his chair back, looking at him as if he were looking at a certified lunatic.
"And when I look at you, I get that exact vibe. I know you're going to make it big. You're going to hit the jackpot!"
Tae-hyun leaned over and whispered in Jeong Jun-sik's ear. "Mister, doesn't this guy feel a bit like a con artist?"
"Tae-hyun, please, for the love of God, keep your mouth shut."
Completely oblivious to their whispering, Lee Dong-pal excitedly carried on. "My gut has never been wrong."
"Really? Are you sure it's not just a delusion?"
"Ugh, well... maybe once or twice..."
"Exactly. Which means today's judgment could also be wrong—"
It was a conversation where the roles of the client and the contractor seemed completely reversed!
"No! Today's vibe is spot on!" Lee Dong-pal pointed a finger at Tae-hyun. "Your confidence, not shrinking back in front of me, your genuine honesty, and even your relaxed attitude... I am certain you will succeed. MBS Bureau Director Lee Jong-guk recommended you, but seeing you in person makes me even more sure!"
"What director? Who is that?"
"The MBS Bureau Director. You don't know him? I heard you did some gaming broadcasts with MBS."
"I haven't been to MBS much, so I wouldn't know."
Tae-hyun engraved the name Lee Jong-guk deep into his mind. Just wait until I meet you later!
"Well, anyway! I'm sure of it, and that's what matters."
Jeong Jun-sik asked curiously. "What about Tae-hyun makes you so sure? Aside from your gut feeling. Personally, I'm not so sure if he'll do well on broadcasts."
"Well, if I were to speak concretely rather than just relying on gut feelings..."
Lee Dong-pal sat down. His exaggerated, theatrical demeanor vanished in an instant, replaced by the calm composure of a seasoned businessman. Tae-hyun thought to himself, Is he bipolar or something?
Regardless, Lee Dong-pal calmly began his explanation.
"First of all, being a top-tier player in Pan-On is huge. The popularity of Pan-On 2 currently overwhelms all other games on the market, and it's projected to grow even more. There won't be a rival game in sight for the next ten years. Being a top-tier player in such a game is a massive factor. Anyone interested in Pan-On will know who you are."
Jeong Jun-sik nodded. He had heard it so many times from Kim Tae-san that his ears were practically bleeding, so he knew exactly how good Tae-hyun was at Pan-On.
"Actually, Pan-On's popularity is such that it wouldn't have been strange if pro gamers had appeared long ago. It's just that the pro league in Pan-On 1 failed miserably, and the scene was formed around personal broadcasts. But looking at it now, Pan-On 2 won't be like that. A professional league will definitely be formed. I've heard from several industry insiders that some corporations are already reaching out. Teams will be created."
Lee Dong-pal continued his explanation, scribbling on a piece of paper.
"The tournament currently led by MBS is actually highly event-based, a one-off tournament. Yet, it's already drawing hot interest from overseas. Once this tournament ends, a proper pro league will definitely open. A pro league hosted by the Pan-On company itself. When that pro league starts? The era of Pan-On pro gamers will arrive. When that era comes, who do you think will rise to the top?"
"An outstanding Pan-On player?"
"Yes! Exactly. And I have no doubt that Kim Tae-hyun will be among them. You have the skills, and you have the character for broadcasting. Oh, right. Kim Tae-hyun. You can win the tournament, right?"
"You make it sound like I owe you a trophy..."
"Come on, you can do that much! You have to do that much. The plan I drew up is based on the premise of you winning the tournament."
"...??"
"First, you'll appear on some simple broadcasts to build up your image a bit, and then you'll win the tournament to generate massive buzz. Based on that, we'll steadily grow your presence on broadcasts."
Lee Dong-pal was already playing the drums and the gong, planning out the entire future before they had even signed the contract! Tae-hyun tried his best to resist.
"I have to play the game, so I can't go on broadcasts that much."
"Don't worry. We can do both. Once we adjust the schedule, nothing is impossible."
"No, what..."
Letting Tae-hyun's words go in one ear and out the other, Lee Dong-pal handed the contract to Jeong Jun-sik. "Take a look at this and let me know if there's anything strange."
"...This is actually really good?"
"Right? I told you our company is good."
"It really is. I didn't expect the terms to be this good. I wondered how you managed to sign so many top-tier celebrities..."
"Haha. We don't just let anyone in."
A sudden wave of alienation washed over Tae-hyun! In the end, swept away by the momentum, he signed the contract without being able to put up any resistance.
As soon as Tae-hyun signed the contract, Lee Dong-pal picked up his phone and called someone. "Oh, yeah. Yeah! Sure~ Of course! It went well! Can you come in? Of course! You can come in!"
"?"
"??"
Seeing Lee Dong-pal talk with such a friendly, affectionate attitude, the two tilted their heads in confusion. Who on earth was he talking to?
Click. The door opened, and the person who walked in was... Lee Se-yeon.
"..."
"Ah, is this Kim Tae-hyun? Wow! You look exactly like you do in the game!"
"...A, a trap?"
"Isn't calling a person a trap a bit too much?" Lee Se-yeon looked at Tae-hyun in disbelief.
This was actually their first time meeting in person. Since neither of them customized their appearance much in the game, they could recognize each other at a single glance.
He really looks like a thu—no, he has very sharp features! Lee Se-yeon, keeping her manners even in her thoughts!
She really looks evil. Tae-hyun, stubbornly insisting she looked evil even when everyone else cheered for her beauty!
"Why are you here?"
"Because I'm a celebrity signed to this agency?"
"And my niece," Lee Dong-pal kindly added. And Jeong Jun-sik delivered the final blow.
"Ah. The role model I mentioned earlier is indeed Miss Lee Se-yeon!"
"...Please tell me sooner next time."
Jeong Jun-sik had found this while looking up various things for Tae-hyun. Signed to SI Entertainment. A former Pan-On 1 pro gamer who had successfully transitioned into a mainstream celebrity! It was none other than Lee Se-yeon. To think the role model he hadn't heard about earlier was Lee Se-yeon. Tae-hyun clutched his head in agony.
"Why is he like this?"
"He's like this sometimes, so you don't have to worry about it, Uncle." Lee Se-yeon patted Tae-hyun's shoulder as he hung his head. "Nice to meet you. I guess we'll be seeing each other often?"
"..."
"Since I'm your senior, let me know if you have any difficulties."
"I choose death!"
"Stop talking nonsense. Broadcasting is no joke, you know?"
Lee Se-yeon spoke lightly, but the entertainment industry was actually a brutal place. Lee Se-yeon had worked her fingers to the bone to get to where she was. Knowing that, Jeong Jun-sik thought to himself, This is great. Tae-hyun has found such a good senior.
Lee Se-yeon could be considered the complete package. A flawless, all-weather celebrity who could adapt to any program! Having such a person kindly offer to help was an incredible stroke of luck. Of course, to Tae-hyun, it didn't feel like luck at all.
"Sigh..."
For the first time in a while, Tae-hyun felt a deep sense of defeat at the hands of Kim Tae-san. A continuous combo followed by a finishing blow!
Regardless of whether Tae-hyun was frustrated or not, Lee Dong-pal tapped the contract to align it and slipped it into a file. "I'll contact you about your future schedule through your manager. I think highly of you, but I don't plan on making you do anything unreasonable, so rest assured. For now, I'd like you to focus on the tournament. You can win it, right? Win it."
"Uncle, this is a five-on-five, so it's not like me doing well alone or Kim Tae-hyun doing well alone will..."
"I don't care. Since you and Kim Tae-hyun are there, you'll do fine. I believe in you, niece! Bring back the trophy! I'll book an interview program for the two of you to appear together!"
"That actually sounds quite appealing. I'll think about it."
Lee Se-yeon walked up to Tae-hyun and stopped. She stared intently at him. Her gaze was meaningful, as if she wanted to say something. Tae-hyun asked in a drained voice.
"What?"
"I wanted to see your face in real life. That's why I was taking a closer look."
"Are you going to give me your review?"
"Aside from looking sharp, your impression is quite good."
"Good?"
"Really?"
Lee Dong-pal and Jeong Jun-sik reacted at the same time.
Tae-hyun looked at Jeong Jun-sik. "Mister, I now know very well what you think of me."
"Ahem. Tae-hyun. I cherish you a lot, but a lawyer's virtue is to judge facts coldly..."
Lee Dong-pal was even more honest than Jeong Jun-sik. "Doesn't he look scary?"
"Maybe because I see him often, but not really."
"One of my niece's flaws is showing. Her standards are too low. Try to raise your standards like me."
"I have high standards, though."
Listening to their conversation, Tae-hyun shook his head and stood up. The contract was signed, and he would receive future instructions separately, so there was no reason to stay here any longer. Honestly, he just wanted to get out of there!
"Are you leaving?"
"I'm going home to play games."
"Wow, it's definitely something you should do, but hearing it like that makes it sound like you're living like a total shut-in."
"Pro gamers and game shut-ins do walk a thin line. See you in the Auston Kingdom."
"Yeah. See you in the Auston Kingdom."
Tae-hyun and Jeong Jun-sik left immediately. Once they were alone, Lee Dong-pal asked Lee Se-yeon. "Do you think that guy will do well?"
"I thought you trusted your gut?"
"I do. That's why I'm always anxious."
Lee Se-yeon laughed. Then she said, "Kim Tae-hyun... will do well in anything. I can't really imagine him failing at anything."
"To that extent? You know broadcasting isn't easy, right?"
"I'm saying that even with that in mind. I really didn't expect us to meet like this."
"Do you have some feelings for that guy? If things go well later, should I let you two shoot a commercial together? Of course, you'd be way out of his league."
"Well. I think he'll catch up in no time..." Lee Se-yeon's voice trailed off. Thanks to that, Lee Dong-pal didn't seem to hear.
"Huh? What did you say?"
"It's nothing."