An Extremely Global MBS (2)
Human hearts are like reeds in the wind.
Just as the resentment built up from a tyrannical boss who tormented you day after day melts away at the sight of a discreet envelope of cash slipped into your hand during the chaos of mourning a loss.
Maybe,
just maybe, this person wasn't that bad after all?
That was the recent sentiment shared by MBS's two big shots: the vice president and Drama Department Head Kim Kang-hyun.
"It's absolute chaos out there! Whatever you're imagining, Vice President, it's even bigger!"
"Haha...!"
"Kang Min snagging an actual Emmy nomination was already an unbelievable upset! Then Broadway heavyweights start throwing love calls and fighting over him, Golden Globes turns into that mess, and on top of public opinion and the Aisling Lewis thing...!"
"Hahaha...!"
Kang Min's rampage over the past week had been something else. If he'd had an agency, their stock would have rocketed straight up.
But Kang Min had no agency.
Not even a single management contract with anyone.
So all those benefits could only flow to his de facto family and sole point of contact: MBS.
For MBS, which had shattered all-time trend records in the last week, it was like an avalanche of unexpected Christmas presents.
"The four episodes of Unbelievable featuring Kang Min are skyrocketing in value."
Kim Kang-hyun, who had piled up approval documents in the vice president's office, grinned like a carrot-nosed snowman.
"Even Southeast Asia, which was poking at King and Sovereign, is getting antsy and jacking up bids left and right."
"Mm...!"
"Indonesia offered a massive sum for exclusive rights for a year instead of selling to Thailand, and Thailand matched it. If we play it cool, we can squeeze out even more! Plus, the Americans flooding in thanks to Kang Min are turning into a solid new customer base!"
"Incredible... truly incredible...!"
At this point, even the vice president felt tears welling up.
No, they actually were.
Long ago, MBS had proposed "Global MBS" as a new slogan at a board meeting, only to get roasted online: pfft lol "global" my ass lmao.
It was before the Hallyu wave even had a name—a forgivable blunder—but the grudge lingered even after twenty years.
But now, who would dare question that slogan?
Memories of headaches and gut-wrenching frustration over Kang Min faded like melting snow, and the two men eagerly gushed about their "tyrannical boss."
"I knew it from the first time I saw that kid! Back when I was deputy head, he comes to me begging to set up Unbelievable—you could tell he wasn't your average guy!"
"Exactly, and loyal to a fault! His direction's a bit off, sure, but he's always kept MBS in mind!"
Even the reporters who'd gathered at the airport ready to explode on Kang Min's return date were peeking at MBS—their sole conduit—for updates!
As MBS's top brass, they couldn't have been more thrilled.
The vice president was the first to decide to return the favor.
"Take good care of that kid—give him whatever perks we can. We can't match an agency salary, but production budgets are flexible: hang 'em on your nose or ears, whatever works. Plenty of ways to show our appreciation."
"Of course! I was already—"
"And hey, a guy who pulls off something this huge comes home, and no one's there to greet him? Even without an agency, we need someone of stature to show up."
"Pardon?"
"Don't get it? You go."
"......"
An Extremely Global MBS (2)
Seven hours later, Incheon International Airport.
The airport, no stranger to frenzied celebrity returns, was packed beyond precedent—crawling with people.
Arrival hall.
Terminal.
Meeting point—
Even in these vast spaces, usually roomy despite crowds of reporters, it felt like a five-day market bazaar. Even Juliet would give up looking for Romeo here.
But amid the chaos, certain figures always stood out.
The reporters all swallowed hard at the sight.
"MBS... not your average players."
"I knew that guy wasn't normal when he boldly cast Kang Min. Takes a madman to pull that off."
"But this level...?"
"Impressive... in every sense."
A respectful distance away from foreign network reporters stood the MBS press corps.
An unprecedented lineup: seasoned journalists, even more cameramen, plus editors and an editor-in-chief ready to pump out articles on the spot.
But their eyes were glued further in, to one middle-aged man.
Even the MBS crew stole glances without a word.
Shiny bald head, stern expression.
Headband on his forehead, and in one hand, a sign reading: We Welcome the Triumphant Return of Korea's Pride, Actor Kang Min.
No need to say it: MBS Drama Department Head Kim Kang-hyun.
No one could easily open their mouth at the bizarre sight of a network department head waving a sign with a headband on.
The head, eyes squeezed shut then open, finally addressed the root of all evil.
"Uh, PD Han...?"
"Yes, Director?"
"Did we really need to go this far with the sign?"
"Gotta stand out!"
Han Ye-seul chirped unusually brightly.
No surprise—she was waving an identical sign in her other hand.
"That's how it's done these days!"
"...Dunno."
"For real! I've been studying actors lately!"
"......"
The director had no comeback to the conclusion drawn by this fervent fan of MinIsLove, a show that had devolved into screams, cheers, and frenzy.
Why'd I snag this one back then? He just repeated his usual regret.
But even the most awkward hours passed eventually.
One by one, they checked the time. Soon, the immigration doors opened, and the man everyone awaited stepped out.
"Ah...!"
Before Han Ye-seul could light up and move, the reporters reacted faster.
The disorganized crowd scattered in an instant, forming a massive semicircle around Kang Min.
With applause-worthy precision, a tidal wave of questions crashed from all sides.
"Actor Kang Min, Entertainment Today reporter Lee Seung-beom! How did it feel winning the Emmy?"
"Reporter Park Eul-yong! Did you think you'd win?"
"League News! Did you know Benjamin King beforehand?"
"A word on King dropping out of all his projects!"
"Ever been to Broadway before?"
"Any theater experience?!"
"What will you say to Sir Patrick Bennett of the Averbay Theater's offer?!"
"About your friendship with actress Aisling Lewis!"
"Your thoughts on the Golden Globes fiasco?!"
Amazingly, the dozens of questions pouring out didn't overlap once.
It showed just how insane the chaos Kang Min had stirred—and how massive the buzz.
"Just one word, please!"
"This way first!"
Reporters thrust mics desperately. They'd all come under threats from bosses or editors: bring back something, or else.
No wonder it turned into a brutal sports brawl.
But the frenzy slowly died down.
Kang Min wore the most serious expression anyone had ever seen.
He scanned the puzzled reporters—What the?—then bowed deeply in apology.
"Sorry, everyone. My family's sick—I need to rush over."
"Pardon? Family...?"
"If you have questions, I'll make it up to you later. Please, let me go now."
"...?"
Reporters blinked at each other in confusion.
Kang Min has family?Didn't he say they're all dead?Relative?That face doesn't scream distant relative...No one knows?
But his urgent steps and anxious face didn't scream lie. Shockingly civil for their reputation, they just gawked as he half-jogged away.
But it wasn't over.
Behind the stunned group—including bald-headed Kim Kang-hyun—another foreigner emerged.
He frowned slightly at the crowd blocking the path, back turned.
"Oh, sorry, but could you clear a path here too?"
"Uh? Oh... sure."
"Thanks."
"No, sorry, we—Harry Gordon?!"
A shriek made even the reporters debating chasing Kang Min whip around.
The man who'd made headlines recently rocked Y2K retro-hip-hop fashion, shrugged with an "oh."
The reporter who spoke gaped.
"Wh-what are you doing here...?"
"Friend's family in the hospital—thought I'd visit. Isn't that basic courtesy?"
"Friend...? You mean actor Kang Min?"
"Obviously. But at this rate, we'll lose him. Excuse us."
But after letting Kang Min slip away by accident, they couldn't blow this too. Some snapped to and followed; Gordon finally snapped.
"God, ask MBS for details! They know more than me!"
"...Pardon?"
"MBS?"
Harry Gordon hurried off without another word.
Naturally, eyes swarmed the MBS crew.
More precisely, to Kim Kang-hyun.
But the director, never properly briefed, was baffled.
He bellowed in exasperation.
"I don't know!"
"......"
"I really don't! Why pile on us? He's just brushing it off, obviously!"
"......"
But misfortune wasn't done with the bald guy.
Soon, unlike solo Kang Min or Gordon with one manager, black-clad bodyguards poured from immigration.
As reporters gawked—what now?—high heels clicked through.
An unmistakable face.
Blonde hair, deep blue eyes.
Handsome but sharp, neurotic features.
Worn old-money aesthetic coat that somehow suited perfectly—
Aisling Lewis surveyed the frozen hall, then smiled with utmost grace.
"Visiting the sick."
"......"
"Curious? They said... MBS would know."
Even Aisling vanished amid stern-faced guards, leaving stunned silence.
But only briefly. Mics and cameras snapped to purpose, swinging one way.
No need to say: toward the MBS crew.
"—!"
"——!"
"——?!"
"— —!!"
Questions flooded.
Accusations flew.
Above all, roars of "You lied?!"
In the all-too-familiar shitshow, Kim Kang-hyun dazedly stared at the ceiling, finally squeezing his eyes shut.
Who could drag the mighty Kim Kang-hyun into such a whirlwind?
He's back, that bastard...!
But hey,
Even Kim Kang-hyun didn't know this delightful fiasco was just the start for global MBS.
Likewise, Seo Bom in her hospital room had no inkling of the awkward spanner-rival reunion ahead.
"...Pardon?"
"Kang Min blew past every reporter at immigration and raced straight here to see you!! Spill it—what's the deal between you two?!"
"......"
"If you'd smiled like that on set, your popularity would've exploded tenfold!!"
···Doing otherwise would've been the weird part.