Growth (1)
The logo for Taepyeong Tuna hung prominently on the glass curtain wall of a high-rise building in the heart of Seoul’s Gangnam district.
As the flagship subsidiary of the Taepyeong Group—one of the top three food distribution companies in the country—the scale of the headquarters was impressive from the start.
Today, a new product CF meeting was scheduled in the business meeting room here.
The marketing team from Taepyeong Tuna, the advertising agency handling the campaign, and representatives from SL Entertainment and Kidari Entertainment all sat together in sleek suits.
Neatly arranged on the long table were sample cans of the new Taepyeong Tuna product and brochures printed with the ad storyboard.
“Thank you all for taking the time to meet today.”
The Taepyeong Tuna marketing team leader offered a light bow.
Once the presenter displayed the ad storyboard on screen, the wall-mounted display showed a warm, family-oriented concept set against a kitchen and backyard backdrop.
“The core of this campaign is a new-concept tuna dish aimed at the MZ generation. Since the product itself is a mara rose tuna, we were looking for a young, fresh model that differentiates from our existing Taepyeong Tuna image.”
After listening to the explanation, the SL Entertainment marketing team leader spoke in a gentle voice.
“It’s quite unusual for a new actor and a new idol to film a CF together. Taepyeong Tuna has typically featured established top stars who are well-known even to older generations.”
At that point, Manager Moon from Kidari Entertainment, who was attending as the company’s representative, added his thoughts.
“Moreover, both of them are still very new to the company, so we’re truly grateful that the casting came together so naturally.”
In the advertising industry, it was common for agencies to engage in all sorts of lobbying and hospitality just to secure a single CF.
Many times, it took months of effort just to arrange one meeting.
Yet this casting had flowed so smoothly.
Thanks to the heartwarming sibling image the pair had shown on POA, combined with the explosive buzz online, the advertiser had reached out first—an exceptionally rare case.
Both agencies couldn’t help but feel pleased, as if they had achieved results without any extra effort.
In that friendly atmosphere, discussions about specific contract terms and the ad concept continued.
The marketing team leader flipped through the slides and said,
“This CF is a one-off new product ad for NewTube. However, since we need to shoot four or more different concepts, the appearance fee has been set higher than a typical single-use ad.”
The moment the amount was revealed, the eyes of the SL Entertainment and Kidari Entertainment representatives lit up.
Usually, new actors’ CF rates were negotiated at rock-bottom prices under the pretext of gaining experience.
But this offer was different. The contract fee for Tae-san alone was in the 300 million won range, and since So-yeon was still just before her official debut, she would receive 150 million won.
Manager Moon from Kidari Entertainment broke into a smile the instant he heard the numbers.
‘I never thought the 500 million won advance Actor Kang Tae-san received would be halved so quickly. With terms like these, we can definitely create a positive cycle.’
Kang So-yeon’s trainee investment costs would also be significantly offset now that she had secured an ad while still a trainee.
She was the first among the POA trainees to land a confirmed commercial.
Positive feedback on the storyboard continued, and discussions about detailed shooting schedules and set preparations proceeded smoothly.
At the end of the meeting, as the attendees began to rise, Manager Moon from Kidari Entertainment murmured quietly to the media marketing team leader who had come with him.
“I think our planning team should submit a separate report to the CEO about this.”
“A report? About what?”
“About Actor Kang Tae-san. From the next contract onward, we should quote a much higher rate.”
The marketing team leader chuckled at that.
“Already pushing for a rate increase?”
“The signs are already there. If we spread the word that a rookie actor was cast first by a Taepyeong Group advertiser, the rate will naturally go up, don’t you think?”
The media marketing team leader pondered for a moment before nodding in agreement.
Of course, that would only be possible if Tae-san’s performance during the upcoming shoot satisfied the client.
That remained to be seen.
If an actor earned a large sum from a commercial shoot in a short period, it was natural for their shoulders to rise a little.
Even the most talented actors rarely knew how to properly flatter advertisers.
Most celebrities who gained massive public attention at a young age still lacked real-world social experience.
‘Well, I suppose we can’t expect too much from a rookie actor just yet.’
Manager Moon simply hoped Kang Tae-san would do well on set.
***
A few days later.
Inside the studio where the new Taepyeong Tuna product CF was being filmed.
Unlike drama or movie sets, this was a fully indoor studio, with green chroma key screens set up on the walls for the background.
Kang Tae-san and Kang So-yeon stood awkwardly in the unfamiliar atmosphere of a CF filming set they were experiencing for the first time.
“Ugh, Oppa, I’m so nervous.”
“You said you’ve been to sets like this plenty of times while doing POA.”
“No, not that. I’ve been fasting for almost 48 hours now.”
“So you’re shaking because your blood sugar’s low.”
“Aah, the tuna smell is so strong. What do I do? I’m drooling.”
For idols who had to maintain strict diets, this kind of CF shoot was practically a legal cheat day.
So-yeon had been fasting for 48 hours before the shoot to manage swelling and maintain her visuals.
“Oppa, it’s okay if I mess up a lot. You don’t have to be perfect.”
“You just want to keep eating tuna, don’t you?”
“Yeah, I’m hungry.”
“Hold it in. Are you really going to make all the staff suffer just so you can fill your stomach?”
“Hmph.”
While the siblings were bickering, Director Park Sung-wook—who had been specially hired by Taepyeong Tuna for today’s shoot—approached them.
Director Park had built experience with terrestrial CFs and home shopping ads, and had recently been receiving positive reviews for his NewTube-focused commercials. He was a capable young director.
“We’ll be starting soon. Are you both ready?”
“Hello, Director!”
Having already finished makeup and wardrobe with the teams sent by their respective agencies, Kang So-yeon answered energetically.
“Yes, we’re ready to shoot right away!”
“Great. Then let’s quickly go over the storyboard one more time.”
After carefully reviewing the movements, lines, and concept once more, the siblings began filming.
“Alright, let’s do the first take. Ready, action!”
With Director Park’s call, three cameras installed on the kitchen set began rolling simultaneously.
Under the warm kitchen lighting, Kang Tae-san stood in front of the sink, retying his apron strings.
In front of him sat a row of gleaming tuna cans.
“Well, Oppa prepared something special for you today.”
“Wow, I’m excited.”
Today’s concept was Director Park’s signature twist on clichés.
The lines were deliberately typical and exaggerated, but the situation would veer into absurd humor—that was the main point.
The moment the tuna lid opened, oil glistened slightly as the distinctive aroma spread.
Kang So-yeon, who had been matching the script beside him, let out an awkward laugh.
“Oppa, did you know tuna doesn’t make you gain weight?”
“That’s right. Tuna doesn’t make you gain weight. You’re the one who gains weight.”
“Oppa, you’re so mean.”
Watching the warm yet subtly teasing sibling chemistry on the monitor, the director nodded.
“Good, the feeling is nice right now. Let’s keep going.”
The first scene passed without issue, but the real challenge came when they actually had to eat the tuna.
Tae-san placed a small piece of tuna on his fork and offered it to his sister.
So-yeon accepted it, put it in her mouth, and chewed—her expression twisting slightly.
True to its name, the rose mara tuna was coated in a spicy mara sauce that seemed to catch in her throat.
“Kek, kek.”
“Cut! Let’s try again. We need a more natural smile, so be careful when you eat.”
“Ah, yes, yes. Sorry!”
Watching So-yeon nod with a forced smile, Tae-san pressed his lips together.
‘……This is harder than I thought.’
The second take followed.
Fortunately, this time So-yeon ate properly and made an ecstatic face.
Then Tae-san took a bite and let out an appreciative “Mmm!” as if it were delicious.
“Okay, cut for now. Let’s check it quickly.”
While Director Park reviewed the footage, assistant directors approached with trash bins.
“If it’s hard to swallow, feel free to spit it out here. No need to force yourselves.”
But Tae-san shook his head.
“I already ate it all.”
So-yeon smiled and added,
“I’m fine too. Since we already opened one, we can eat more, right?”
The siblings exchanged glances and ended up finishing the entire can of tuna together.
The assistant directors who had offered the bins returned with empty containers, laughing in disbelief.
“I guess this batch tastes pretty good. They really ate it all.”
“Yeah, and without even any rice.”
The next scene was set on artificial grass with a chroma key backdrop of a yard, filmed on a picnic mat.
A picnic table held salad and tuna sandwiches.
Tae-san and So-yeon faced each other with bright smiles.
“Little sister, you know what? Tuna doesn’t make you gain weight, but if you eat rose and mara, you’re bound to put on weight. Why is everything delicious so fattening?”
At that moment, So-yeon delivered the key line about the new product’s main feature in clear pronunciation.
“Oppa, but Taepyeong Tuna’s rose mara sauce is a zero-sugar sauce with no sugar added, so it’s low in calories and helps with blood sugar management.”
“Even so, no matter how good Taepyeong Tuna’s rose mara sauce is, eating like this will still make you gain weight.”
The camera captured So-yeon from behind, where dozens of empty tuna cans were stacked.
“It’s zero sugar~”
“Zero sugar, not zero calories.”
“Oppa, are you even trying to do the ad properly?”
“Every food has calories. So if I’m going to consume calories anyway, I might as well choose Taepyeong Rose Mara Tuna that’s good for the body and tastes great!”
“Hohoho.”
“Hahaha.”
The natural banter flowed just like their usual sibling teasing.
Because they often joked around like this in daily life, neither So-yeon nor Tae-san felt like they were acting at all.
Though the set felt somewhat awkward, Director Park’s intent to exaggerate the stiff tone of legacy media actually made it fit perfectly.
The director grabbed the megaphone and shouted,
“Good, good! That was great. Let’s keep going just like that.”
Of course, they repeated the scene multiple times to get the best A-cut, but the siblings showed no signs of fatigue.
In the past, they had been so poor that they would split a single can of tuna between them. Now, being able to eat premium tuna to their hearts’ content felt exhilarating.
Especially when So-yeon stuffed too much tuna into her mouth and started coughing while laughing, nearly causing an NG—but the shot was kept because she looked so adorable.
“Cut! Hahaha, it’s fine. Let’s go again.”
Thanks to that, the siblings could continue filming in a relaxed atmosphere even after messing up.
‘This is fun. So this is what a CF set is like.’
One take, two takes, three takes—each time the same scene repeated, Tae-san and So-yeon silently swallowed the tuna.
While most actors would have just pretended to chew and spat it into the trash, the sight of the siblings actually eating every single can prepared for filming left the entire crew impressed.
“Those two really know how to eat.”
“If I were the client, I’d be so proud.”
As the afternoon shoot progressed smoothly, a middle-aged man in a black suit entered the set with his secretary.
The marketing team leader personally escorted him—the man was the vice president of Taepyeong Tuna.
“The client is here!”
The set fell silent as staff members bowed in greeting.
Kang Tae-san and Kang So-yeon, who had been waiting on one side of the yard set, looked at them with dazed expressions.
‘……That’s the client?’
The vice president didn’t even sit down. He positioned himself among the staff behind the cameras and spoke in a kind voice.
“Haha, I just came because I was curious about the set. Please don’t mind me and continue filming.”
Even though it was hard not to be conscious of his presence, the next cut was ready, so Director Park gave a light bow and continued.
Scenes of the siblings affectionately feeding each other tuna in various ways continued.
In one take, So-yeon offered tuna to her brother.
As the number of takes increased, so did the empty cans, but the siblings never once spat out the tuna they put in their mouths.
The vice president checked the prop trash bin on set and found it completely clean, unused.
When filming paused briefly, the vice president approached.
“You two seem to really like tuna in your daily lives?”
Tae-san wiped his mouth with a towel and answered.
“Yes. Actually, we only ate Taepyeong Tuna even before this.”
“Hahaha, so our tuna suited your taste the best?”
“No, other brands like Dongyeon Tuna cost 2,500 won per can, but Taepyeong Tuna was 500 won cheaper. Sometimes near-expiry ones at the mart go down to 1,000 won.”
The vice president’s brow nearly furrowed at the implication that they chose it purely for the low price rather than the taste.
“When we were younger and didn’t have money, we’d buy those cheap cans and put one in ramen to share between us.”
“Because Oppa always made sure I ate Taepyeong Tuna during my growth spurt, I grew up strong and healthy.”
“It’s affordable and tastes good too.”
At those words, the vice president’s expression softened instantly.
“Honestly, the top stars we use as exclusive models only say they like our Taepyeong Tuna before the shoot. When it’s time to film, they always take one bite and spit it right out. That always bothered me.”
The vice president paused, then let out a deep sigh.
“But seeing you two genuinely enjoy our tuna like this makes it look truly delicious today. Thank you.”
Tae-san and So-yeon looked at each other and smiled lightly.
Having the client visit during the shoot and genuinely enjoying the product had turned out to be an unexpected stroke of luck.
Yet that luck wouldn’t have come their way if the siblings hadn’t endured everything by relying on each other all these years.
The vice president soon returned to the company due to his busy schedule.
The shoot wrapped up smoothly after that.
After finishing the picnic scene in the yard, the sun had begun to set outside.
The staff packed up equipment while Director Park said his final goodbyes to the Kang siblings.
“You both worked hard today. I hope we get to work together again on set soon.”
Tae-san and So-yeon smiled awkwardly.
“We’re honored you liked it. Hahaha.”
“I hope we meet again. Hehe.”
***
A few days after filming ended, a large delivery truck stopped in front of Kang Tae-san’s house.
The delivery driver carried enormous boxes up the stairs.
Ding-dong—
“Huff, huff. This is Kang Tae-san’s residence, right? Please sign here.”
The sweating delivery driver held out the receipt, while behind him, boxes stacked like a fortress completely blocked the front door.
“I didn’t order any packages.”
“Isn’t this Kang Tae-san’s house?”
“It is, but what on earth is all this……?”
The boxes weren’t ordinary cardboard. They were made of high-quality material typically used for holiday gifts, each stamped with the familiar Taepyeong Tuna logo.
When Tae-san opened one, it contained various tuna cans and tuna-based products—twenty of each—and there were over fifty boxes in total.
“Is this…… all from Taepyeong Tuna?”
“Yes, it was shipped directly from Taepyeong Tuna headquarters. There’s also a separate letter they asked me to deliver…… Here it is.”
Tae-san accepted the elegant stationery with a stunned expression.
I look forward to working with you again on the next contract.
— Vice President Kang Young-gil, Taepyeong Tuna
“How am I supposed to eat all of this……?”
Leaving a good impression on the client was nice, but thanks to it, Tae-san was now looking at nothing but tuna meals for the foreseeable future.