First Experiences Are Precious
"Huuuh...."
Han Seongcheol couldn't stop marveling day after day as he thought of his granddaughter, precious enough to place in the apple of his eye without it hurting. He was simply astonished at how such brilliant ideas could emerge from that tiny body of hers. Every single one was the optimal strategy any corporation could pursue.
As everyone knew, Hansung Food's cumulative deficit had reached 1.5 billion won. Rather than splurging on expensive celebrities for ads, aiming for word-of-mouth buzz from consumers was far more realistic. The current Hansung Food had no room for vanity or the stamina to absorb another failure.
How could a child not even five years old...?
Han Seongcheol felt an inexplicable shiver, wondering what had instilled such resolve in his tiny granddaughter's heart. It was as if the future of Hansung Food was already vividly mapped out in her mind. She seemed far greater than he had been at her age.
"On Sundays, I'm the Hansung Jjapaghetti chef!"
The corners of Han Seongcheol's mouth lifted involuntarily. The song was quite unique. He hummed the tune his granddaughter had taught him with delight, his shoulders bobbing in rhythm. No matter how many times he heard it, it stuck to his lips like glue!
An ad featuring the Hansung Group's only daughter singing that song while eating ramen... That's when it hit him. His granddaughter, Han Seoyeon, had planned the advertising from the moment she developed Hansung Jjapaghetti.
It was a marketing strategy even a seasoned salesperson would struggle with.
"Hahaha, to think the one astonishing this Han Seongcheol is none other than my own granddaughter...."
Han Seongcheol recalled his recent chat with her. While everyone else hesitated and barely mustered a word in his presence, his not-yet-five-year-old granddaughter had boldly and confidently shared her thoughts without a hint of reluctance. She outshone most adults.
He called for his secretary chief, Woo Shijang.
"Hey, Woo Shijang."
"Yes, Chairman."
"You've heard the story, I presume?"
Woo Shijang barely suppressed a burst of laughter. No one could have dreamed the famously icy figure in business circles would so openly back anyone. Not even his eldest son, the vice chairman, got this treatment.
Woo Shijang replied, "I've already secured their firm commitment to actively promote little Seoyeon in exchange for assigning them a few ad slots."
"Good. We'll handle the ad support at the group level, but we need to scout a camera director and supporting actors to back Seoyeon up. I'll leave that to you, Woo Shijang."
"No need to worry about that. The broadcasting world already knows of little Seoyeon."
"Oh? Those entertainer folks, eh?"
"Yes. Not just in business circles—entertainment is eyeing her too. Her looks are simply outstanding, after all."
Once the ball started rolling, Han Seongcheol realized things were progressing smoothly. All thanks to his granddaughter. Perhaps Hansung Jjapaghetti would become an item that made history with massive success—a super blockbuster beyond just a hit. The signal flare for that could very well be the black bean ramen his granddaughter had created.
He brushed off his lapel and rose from his seat.
"Woo Shijang, mobilize the group's full resources to back Hansung Jjapaghetti."
＊
"Waaah! Is this where we film the commercial?"
"Yes, little miss."
Today, Woo Shijang had come along instead of Dr. Lee. It was my first time at a broadcasting station, so everything caught my eye as wondrous.
Whoaaa!
The massive cameras, the flashing lights. Even the staff bustling about. It felt like stepping into another world.
"Oh? And who might you be?"
Then an incredibly beautiful noona approached me. She was no ordinary woman at first glance. Her lush, slightly wavy hair cascaded neatly over her shoulders, and even with subtle makeup, her eyes were deep and sharp. Her figure was so perfect that the dress clung flawlessly to her curves.
Kyaaah!
I covered my eyes with both hands. It was just too embarrassing to look at.
"Oh my? Look at this cutie. Hohoho~"
Of all moments, the director overseeing this ad spotted me then. He bowed deeply right away.
Not surprising—I was both a child actress for the commercial and the Hansung Group's only daughter. In status terms, somewhere between royalty and nobility.
"Are you by any chance little Han Seoyeon?"
"Yes."
Woo Shijang answered for me.
"We're from Hansung Group's Strategic Planning Division. Feel free to call me Woo Shijang."
"Aigoo, to have the esteemed director of strategic planning grace our humble set. I'm Kim Wooyoung, the director honored to helm this ad. How is the chairman's health, if I may ask?"
"In excellent shape."
"That's wonderful news. The chairman's health means ads for our station, right? Uhahaha!"
A director with no hidden agendas—blunt and straightforward. Easier to handle than someone scheming behind the scenes, though.
Woo Shijang didn't hide his smile either.
"Um, Director Kim Wooyoung?"
"Eou, it's our station's top star, Yoo Harin."
She lightly nudged his elbow.
"Just who is this girl that has you...?"
"Hey! That's the only daughter of Hansung Group—one of the biggest of our nation's conglomerates. Watch your words. Unless you want the ads pulled."
"Pardon? The Hansung Group's only... only daughter?"
Yoo Harin's eyes sparkled in an instant. The legendary only daughter, known only by rumor, stood right before her.
"Hohoho, nice to meet you. I'm Yoo Harin."
I shook her hand in return. Yoo Harin was easily an S-grade actress in Korea—a box-office guarantee. Just mid-20s, she shattered ratings with every drama, broke box-office records on movie release days, and her CFs won love thanks to her pure beauty.
Now here she was, wagging her tail and acting cute before me.
This is the power of chaebols...
Well, more precisely, Grandfather's power. It reaffirmed my goal: I had to succeed. First, amass wealth and climb high... Even with all ten fingers, I couldn't count all I aimed to achieve.
"Alright, let's get prepped bit by bit. Our little Seoyeon has such flawless skin, no makeup needed. The concept is cooking ramen at home while singing."
The director seemed even more excited than me.
＊
Kim Wooyoung couldn't hide his doubts when first assigned this ad. Who on earth had they cast that the Hansung Group's top powerbroker got personally involved?
A sponsor, maybe? As the director, personal details weren't his business, but curiosity gnawed at him.
"Pardon? Who?"
"The child actress for your ad? Hansung Group's only daughter."
"Gasp!"
His chat with the station chief left him reeling. Hansung Group's only daughter. They were infamous for producing nothing but sons. The famous anecdote of Chairman Han Seongcheol promising a huge gift to the daughter-in-law who bore a girl said it all. Yet they'd only had boys.
Han Seoyeon, Hansung Group's only daughter. No one in business, politics, or even entertainment was unaware. She wasn't your average chaebol third-generation.
Nail this, and my career's a smooth highway.
One issue, though: They demanded incorporating a specific song as a condition for the ad.
He slotted the tape from Hansung Group into the cassette player and hit play cautiously.
"On Sundays, I'm the Hansung Jjapaghetti chef!"
"Oh...."
This bouncy rhythm—how to even describe it? The nightingale-like voice on the tape defied words. Once heard, you craved it again. Like a mage's unknown spell captivating listeners instantly.
Jackpot. This'll be a massive hit!
The much-rumored Hansung only daughter. A song that made shoulders bob uncontrollably. Add top-star Yoo Harin's presence...
"In, insane...."
Ads usually kept actors and staff focused on scenes, but this mysterious upbeat tune would seize everyone, filling the studio with joy.
"I'll make this a success. Even if it costs my directing career!"
Kim Wooyoung savored a heart-pounding thrill he hadn't felt in ages.
＊
The core of today's ad was nailing the delicious eating scene, but above all, the song had to explode.
Whew, I'm dying of nerves...
This scale of shoot was my first lifetime—past life included. My heart still pounded wildly.
I took deep breaths and glanced at a woman watching me with intrigued eyes. Domestic star actress Yoo Harin. She looked like she had something to say.
"Um, sorry..."
"Yes?"
"Can we... drop the formal speech?"
"...Sure. Make yourself comfortable."
"Hoho, thanks. Seoyeon, you're just... so...."
Her looks rivaled my mom, the former top star. But just as she seemed about to say more, the director's voice rang out.
"Alright, filming starts now."
At his cue, she regretfully adjusted her posture. A pro through and through. I resolved to nail my role too.
"Little miss, no need to tense up. Today, this Woo Shijang will handle your..."
Hearing that from Woo Shijang only scared me more. For all his looks, he was the group's de facto second-in-command. One word from him could hurl someone off a cliff.
"But Seoyeon."
"Yes?"
"I've been wondering—mind if I ask something?"
"Sure."
Yoo Harin glanced around, then brought her lips near my ear.
"Have you done ad shoots before? You seem way too calm for a newbie."
Have I? Obviously not—this was my first.
"No. Today's my very first shoot."
"What? Your f-first expeeerience?!"
Yoo Harin nearly fainted in shock at my words.