Top Management Chapter 200-201

Chapter 200: Stop at Nothing, By Any Means (6)

TL: emptycube / ED: Isleidir

"Sorry!"

Director Oh Hyunkyung made the first move by bowing her head.

"You must be surprised that I suddenly came over without contacting you. Sorry, but I felt this was urgent. I felt like it would take a long time to meet if I contacted you ahead of time. Busy people were normally like this. I'm really, really sorry!"

She gave off a much more cheerful impression than on the phone.

She had short, round, tangerine hair and freckles on her cheeks. Her eyes curved into a slight smile, showing how sorry she was. I felt like there wouldn't be many who would rebuke her even if she suddenly came over without calling like now.

I pulled a chair and said,

"First, please sit. But I was in the middle of work."

"Of course, you're busy! I will explain everything in ten minutes. I'm a master of presentations. I actually came to discuss the scenario we talked about on the phone yesterday."

Director Oh Hyunkyung raised the scenario slightly before bringing it back down. I barely managed to prevent my eyes from reflexively chasing the scenario and forced them to look forward. Then, in an expression that showed I was neither interested or disinterested, I said,

"Ah, that. City…"

"Jungle! I really wanted to show it to you because you aren't the type that cares about trivial things like whether it's being produced by a major or minor production company and whether it's being directed by a star director or an unknown one."

"I am?"

"You worked with a debuting writer from a new production company for Cat Guardian Ghost."

"It had a timeslot with TVL, and Lee Songha was an unverified rookie."

Rather, Seo Jijoon, who chose Cat Guardian Ghost despite being a public network one-top male lead and having received many love calls for more well-known projects, was the type to only look at projects. Unlike me, Seo Jijoon didn't have the certainty that it would be a success.

"Ah, is that so? But even the projects you chose afterwards."

"It would have been disastrous if Royal Family or Alive had flopped. That's why I was criticized for picking safe investments and accused of being scared of failing."

Director Oh Hyunkyung crinkled her nose as she laughed,

"I just tried to b.u.t.ter you up a little. Honestly, although all directors would say the same, I am certain that this movie will succeed."

I was also certain of that.

That is… if the owner changed.

I turned my gaze to the scenario.

The scenario played the biggest role in the success of a movie. Then what was the probability that a scenario, which succeeded under one director's leaders.h.i.+p, would succeed with another director, who hadn't had a box office hit? Obviously, it was less than 100%.

"I know that you'll find it hard to believe. I'm not an appealing director. If I'm being honest, I heard similar things from investors. That they would think about investing if I handed the reigns over to another director."

Huh?

"One failure is the end these days. It really is difficult for a director who failed three times to get any investments."

"Have you thought about handing it over to another director?"

"No, not at all. It's my project."

Director Oh Hyunkyung shook her head firmly. Her eyes s.h.i.+ned with pa.s.sion.

"It's something I created thinking would be my last movie. I spent a year fixing and polis.h.i.+ng the scenario and tirelessly tried to persuade investors. Now, there are investors that I have had positive discussions with."

Director Oh Hyunkyung revealed a proud smile as she spoke.

I was curious where the scenario came from.

I had initially considered the peaceful possibility that Director Joo Jaechan bought the rights to it from Director Oh Hyunkyung. However, after seeing her reaction on the phone and right now, she didn't seem like the type of person who would give it up easily.

Director Joo Jaechan from the future had said,

'I had a hard time getting that scenario in my hands.'

Did he use a high-handed method?

Directors used to be an absolute authority in the past, but that was no longer the case. There were cases where they were chased out when their opinions clashed with production companies, and other cases where they were switched out for another director because they didn't fit the investors' preferences. There were even cases where they were rejected by actors. There weren't uncommon.

Although she said that that she didn't even think about changing directors… I didn't know about that. In a time where even mainstay directors were removed for various reasons, I wondered how long an unknown director would last under the pressure of those with investment capital.

My mouth suddenly went dry. Something bothered me.

If the last future vision I saw was trying to say that I pa.s.sed on City Jungle directed by Director Joo Jaechan despite knowing it would succeed… Then what was my reason behind it? Was it because of Director Oh Hyunkyung?

"The engine's now running, so all we need to do now is drive. That's why we are in the process of casting our lead roles. Ms. Lee Songha…"

Seeing my expression, Director Oh Hyunkyung made a hearty laugh.

"I know she's busy. Of course, I do. Mr. Seo Jijoon and Mr. Im Joowon are busy too. I know that too. To be honest, I was thinking about someone else from the beginning. I think he'll fit well with the image I've thought of."

Director Oh Hyunkyung pushed the scenario towards me as she said,

"I would like to propose this to Mr. Nam Joyoon. As the male lead."

Nam Joyoon?

"Please have a look. I am confident I won't make you regret it."

After Director Oh Hyunkyung made her leave, I was left with the scenario in my hands.

I somewhat cleared my disorderly mind in the meeting room before getting up. I was about to go down the stairs with the envelope containing the scenario when someone followed me. He had curly hair, which reminded me of squid tentacles. It was Chief Yoon.

He glanced at the scenario and smiled.

"Your meeting seemed to run a little long. Are you perhaps interested in that project?"

"Why? Are you interested in it?"

"No?"

Chief Yoon denied in an exaggerated manner.

"I was simply curious. I know that you have been looking at all sort of scenarios, but I was wondering if you had the leisure to spend time on movies that may or may not even make it to production."

He coughed before whispering with a smile,

"… I was just wondering if it is really worth your time. People have been whispering about how you are acting like you're looking for scenarios and are, in fact, delaying making a decision because of the pressure of being a team leader. But who did that scenario come for? Ms. Lee Songha? Don't tell me it's Jijoon, right?"

"I also have something I'm curious about."

"About me? Well, if you have something, ask away."

"Don't you have work to do?"

Chief Yoon abruptly stopped in his steps. He blinked.

"I-I am working? I have an audition for Director Kang Mins.h.i.+k's project in the afternoon?"

"I hope you would spend the time spent on me on preparing for that audition."

Director Yoon's face flushed red.

I went down the stairs. No one followed me this time.

I got in my minivan. I glanced at the pa.s.senger's seat multiple time on my way home. It was the City Jungle scenario I had thought about countless times over the past few days. I tapped the steering wheel with the tips of my fingers. The traffic seemed to be especially slow today.

I had thought about slowly reading through it after returning home.

However, I found myself parked in a nearby parking lot.

Exhaling, I picked up the envelope. I took out the scenario, and there was a colorful handout between its pages. It was a casting proposal.

Along with a black-and-white photo of Nam Joyoon, Director Oh Hyunkyung wrote long, detailed, desperate, and embarra.s.sing paragraphs on why she wanted Nam Joyoon as the male lead.

Soon, I put the proposal back into the envelope.

I then flipped over the first page of the scenario.

Something shook in front of me. It was thin, curly, and wet with something white.

It was cream pasta.

"Why aren't you eating?"

Team Leader Park asked as she waved a forkful of pasta in front of me.

"Ah, I was lost in my thoughts for a second."

"Your eyes are muddled. Maybe you're still not well? The director said that you could hand urgent matters to others and take a break. Why is someone who fainted and was in the hospital yesterday at work?"

"I had something I had to handle."

"You lost your way."

"Pardon?"

"Back when you were a road manager… Back when you were always taking naps in the company sleeping quarters, you said that you would live like a human once you become a chief or a team leader. That you would enjoy your private life and take vacations. But why does it seem like you have less time now?"

I did say that.

As a road manager, whose day started and ended with driving, I had thought that thing would get easier once I became a chief. When I was a chief, I had thought that I would be able to enjoy life more if I became a team leader. How was it that it felt like I was gradually becoming the company poltergeist?

"Still, you reaped the rewards for your investments. Promotion and fame."

Team Leader Park shrugged as she added,

"And power."

Power, huh? It sounded so unfamiliar.

"You'll probably realize it as you work. Though, you probably won't need to realize any more fame."

"I want to avoid that now. After going to the hospital, my every move is being watched. I suffered all morning. I think if zombies somehow entered our company, they would receive less attention than me."

"So that's why you wanted to talk outside than at work?"

Team Leader Park looked through her eco-bag and took out a green envelope.

"Director Joo Jaechan. He received a mise en scène award at a short film festival not too long ago. Did you meet him then? I guess he left quite an impression?"

"He did."

"I quietly looked into him, and it seems he's been receiving some love calls after receiving that award. They are more about commercials and music videos than movies though. However, it seems like Director Joo Jaechan wants to make a movie with his scenario."

"Really?"

"It's a historical drama called 'King's Warrior'. He's been going around looking for a company to produce it. He's been rejected by all the major ones and has been working to persuade smaller companies. Their reactions are lukewarm. I asked a production company he approached, and they say that the numbers just aren't there."

Team Leader Park's eyes suddenly narrowed.

"Don't tell me you're interested in that scenario."

"That's not it."

Although I did slowly read through it with some expectations, it wasn't something that really caught my attention.

"That's a relief. If you were interested in that, I would have told you to go back to the hospital."

Team Leader Park seriously seemed relieved as she let out a sigh.

"If not the scenario, are you interested in the director? Or are you interested in the short film that won the award? Do you want him to director Neptune or Pretty Girls' next music video? It's not like you're planning on giving a director who hasn't even made his debut a movie to direct."

"It's actually similar."

"The more I investigate, the more he doesn't seem like the kind of director you really want to work with…"

Team Leader Park flinched.

Then, with a face that seemed like pasta was caught in her throat, she stared at me.

"It's similar? You want to have this director direct a movie? No, wait."

Her gaze scanned me.

"What kind of project is it? So you're interested in something? I did think that your expression seemed similar to when you bought Cat Guardian Ghost over. You made others wait in impatience. So what project are you interested in? Huh?"

Team Leader Park asked like she was dying to know.

"I'll let you know once things are clear. It's too early to tell."

"Why? Are you in the middle of tug-of-war with them? Problem with the role? Signing fee?"

Team Leader Park, who kept asking questions, gulped down a cup of cold water as she asked,

"Then let me ask you one question. Who is the project for?"

I was the one who flinched this time.

"Songha? Mr. Nam Joyoon? Jijoon? Mr. Im Joowon? Or Song Inho?"

Team Leader Park's face approached mine.

"Who is it?"

/ /

Chapter 201: Stop at Nothing, By Any Means (7)

TL: emptycube / ED: Isleidir

Whose work is it?

The point brought up by Team Leader Park hung in my mind the entire night.

As much as it was confirmed to be a hit, I wanted to show, not just the female lead, but the other lead to my actors. However, there was only one role and multiple people who came to mind.

An actor's future could hinge on a single project.

Who should I give a project guaranteed to be hit and who should I give a project likely to be a success? This was a consideration that I had never encountered back when I was only managing Lee Songha and Nam Joyoon. If there were other choices, I wouldn't have to think this hard.

However… Who was the actor originally picked to star in City Jungle in the future?

I buried the thought that crept up my mind.

First, it was more urgent to focus on what I know what could be.

I needed to handle the matter of owners.h.i.+p of the City Jungle scenario. I clearly laid out what I had to do. I created a straight path that would lead me to the future I wanted.

Also, before taking my first step, what I had been waiting for finally opened.

"Team leader."

Lee Taehee gave a longing look toward the Team 3 Leader.

"No way."

"Just one gla.s.s. Just to ease the nerves."

"Ease your nerves with beer or something. This isn't alcohol you open for any occasion."

The Team 3 Leader, who was sitting in the living room sofa, hugged his gla.s.s bottle even harder. A moderately thick root was submerged in a long, slender bottle. This was the wild ginseng alcohol he had gifted Neptune every time they made some big accomplishment.

"This is the real deal. When I dug it up, I resolved myself to not open the bottle unless something incredible happened. I'll only open it if your songs line up on the music charts."

The girls' expressions became lukewarm when they heard him.

Line up on the charts.

It referred to when the tracks of an influential singer's comeback alb.u.m swept through the charts. There were even cases where boy groups with huge fandoms and great artists known for their hit songs had their tracks fill the top ranks for the charts.

This was too difficult for us to dare dream about.

Internally, we would consider it a great success if at least three songs made it to the top of the charts. After a long discussion with the A&R Team about Lee Taehee's songs, we decided to go with a triple t.i.tle track alb.u.m. We spread our promotional marketing between them and even filmed three music videos, so I was inwardly hoping that all three would make it onto the first page.

"You're going to take it back if we don't get a line up? Aren't you being too cruel?"

Im Seoyoung said with a face like she was looking at a scoundrel. A few voices chimed in.

"He brought it over, but he's hesitant to give it to us."

"Hyung, is that really wild ginseng? It looks like a bellflower root."

The higher the expectations, the greater the disappointment. Everyone was trying their best not to get their hopes up. Our goal was being a moderate success or something. Still, they kept looking at me for a while now, so my cheek muscles were about to spasm from maintaining my smile.

There were a lot of people who would be frightened if my expression didn't look good.

I took out a can of beer from the fridge. Pulling the tab, I looked around the living room. Lee Kwanwoo was tirelessly refres.h.i.+ng the page on the laptop on top of the table. Neptune, the Team 3 Leader, and Kim Hyunjo were forcefully releasing their tensions while glancing in Lee Kwanwoo's direction.

And, while all this was going on, Lee Songha was holding onto the script and scenario.

"What are you doing?"

"I am thinking about my next project."

"You can think about that in a situation like this?"

Lee Songha nodded seriously. Her eyes looked like they were looking at a hit list than projects.

"I'm going to find a good project, so just wait."

"Hmm, that's fine and all, but the alb.u.m's out now."

Lee Songha hastily got up when she heard me. Immediately, an ear-piercing scream echoed in the living room. Someone was screaming while pointing their finger at their laptop screen. Someone else was screaming while waving their phone. Everyone's reaction was to scream.

I shook my beer can amidst their screams and sincerely laughed.

The Team 3 Leader didn't hesitate to open the wild ginseng wine.

The top three places on the music chart were all Neptune's songs.

"Is it uncomfortable?"

"No way. It's very comfortable."

How could sitting in a Rolls Royce be uncomfortable?

"Because you keep sighing."

"I'm not sighing because I'm uncomfortable. It's out of admiration because of how incredible the car is."

To be honest, my body was comfortable, but my mind wasn't.

Son Chaeyoung's uncomfortable words and the problems with the Team 2 Leader tangled in my head. This was despite the fact that Lee Songha explained how there was no problem with CEO Baek Hansung and CEO Baek Hansung had never mentioned the matter with the Team 2 Leader since then.

Encountering him was uncomfortable.

"Should I buy you one?"

"Pardon?"

"The car."

CEO Baek Hansung said lightly. Like he was giving out a piece of rice cake.

Coughs erupted from my throat. It was a very enticing rice cake, but I didn't want it since it would be a headache to digest. It felt like I was taking out an extravagant loan.

While I rejected his offer by saying that I loved and would continue to love the minivan I was driving now, the Rolls Royce arrived at our destination.

"I will lead you to the reserved room."

We followed a Korean restaurant employee over an arched stone bridge. Fancy carps the size of my forearm leisurely swam in the pool below. A willow grew above it, completing the picturesque scene. Beyond the garden was a traditional Korean tiled rooftop.

It was so extravagant that it could be called a palace than a restaurant. I had gone to many hotel restaurants, which I would never go to if I had to pay out of my own pocket, due to work, but the view here was the best. It was a bit of a waste to use it only as a restaurant.

"What are you thinking about to make that expression?"

"I was thinking that we could sponsor this place for a historical film set."

CEO Baek Hansung chuckled in a low voice.

"There'll be many opportunities for you to come here from now on. This place has quite a few regulars."

He said whilst gesturing with his chin. Other guests were coming out the other side.

They were older men. Most of their faces were familiar.

"Do you know any of the faces there?"

"I recognize most of them."

Since I had seen them in interview articles.

The CEO of World B Pictures Korea, a movie production and distribution company. The director of the large entertainment, SoNaMoo. Besides them were executives, like CEOs and directors, from large and small management companies.

They seemed to have recognized CEO Baek Hansung as their pace quickened as they approached us.

"I thought I was mistaken, but have you come to nourish your health during these dog days?"

"It seems you've already eaten and are on your way out."

"It would have great if we ate together. The timing wasn't good."

Even though the scales were different, they were all people who represented their respective companies. I didn't know what they were thinking inside, but they acted in a very friendly manner to CEO Baek Hansung. There were even a few who seemed to have a hard time approaching him.

This was enough to show CEO Baek Hansung's influence in our industry.

After greeting them, CEO Baek Hansung placed his hand on my shoulder.

"Ah, this is Team Leader Jung Sunwoo."

As soon as I greeted them, intrigued gazes landed on me.

"Of course, we know you. You are famous in our management industry."

"I hear it's because of you that W&U's image has been great these days."

"Th-that Neptune! People are talking about how great their songs are. Congratulations."

It seemed they had a few drinks while nouris.h.i.+ng their bodies as their reactions were a bit exaggerated.

I matched their ill-mannered remarks while thanking them. They say that you improve the more you do it. I seemed to have learned the ways of the world while working as it was easier to talk to people.

"It would be great if I had someone like you working for me. If you have any thoughts of moving, contact me at any time. Don't worry about CEO Baek Hansung. Our company is growing so if you join now, you'll be one of our early employees. Our employee benefits are decent too."

Although I didn't know how great their benefits were, reading the mood, I didn't think they were.

Everyone's expressions became awkward when they heard the new management company CEO's words. They glanced at CEO Baek Hansung, who was talking to the World B Pictures Korea CEO.CEO Baek Hansung's gaze met eyes as he glossed over it with a laugh. Like he had heard a light joke.

Soon, people treated the remark as a joke.

"You need to make dibs based on the person!"

"Can you even make dibs on CEO Baek's person? Especially a junior he personally brought here to nourish his health?"

While it was said in a joking manner, there seemed to be a meaning behind those jokes.

We separated after saying our farewells. Behind us, the new management company CEO's voice was carried by the wind.

"Can't I make a joke?"

"You need to watch the mood before you do. Team Leader Lee Jangyeob…"

The Team 2 Leader?

I tried to listen in on them, but their voices quickly grew distant.

"You worked hard making Neptune's official alb.u.m a success."

CEO Baek Hansung commented after we had finished half the samgyetang{1}.

"The girls, the Team 3 Leader, and Chief Kim Hyunjo worked harder than me. As well as other employees."

It was all Lee Taehee's work that the t.i.tle track ended up so good. It was the Team 3 Leader and Kim Hyunjo, who took the lead by saying that Lee Taehee's songs were great when I was uncertain of their success. The alb.u.m was only complete with the collective hard work of the employees, including the A&R producer and PR Teams.

"That's a good comment"

CEO Baek Hansung nodded as he said,

"I was thinking about talking to the PR Team and setting up a personal interview for you. What do you think?"

"A personal interview?"

"You talk about Neptune's alb.u.m on behalf of the company. And about your next projects. Voices wondering how you've written a success story with no failures have even reached my ears. There are a lot of reporters who bluntly ask about you."

He said as though he was enjoying himself.

I saw a few as well. Reporters who were more interested in my first project as a team leader and which actors would join it over Neptune's new songs. It seemed like the entertaining rumors of Midas's Hand were growing exaggerated.

"It'll get messy once reporters publish a.s.sumptions on what project you'll pick. Wouldn't it be better for you to do an interview before then? But you'll have to first decide on what your next project will be."

His leisurely voice pushed my back forward.

"There is a project I am considering serious. It'll…"

"City Jungle?"

My chopsticks slipped from the plate.

"I told you there are no secrets in this industry."

 CEO Baek Hansung lightly shrugged his shoulders.

"You should forget about the project and look for a new one."

"Pardon?"

"You've read a lot of scenarios. There will probably be some projects you've singled out. Discuss with the other chiefs and pick out around five projects. If you bring them to the next meeting, we should be able to pick one out, don't you think?"

Wait.

"When you say forget about City Jungle…"

"Exactly as I said. I don't think it is suitable for your next project."

He said firmly. Only then did what CEO Baek Hansung said organize in my head. Yeah, I knew that there were many who would oppose City Jungle if I brought it up. It looked shabby compared to the other promising works.

I would have to persuade them eventually.

I put down my chopsticks and wet my throat with cold water.

"Although it isn't an eye-catching project, the scenario is good."

"Yeah, I read it."

He read it?

"I was curious because it was something you were interested in."

"Then… Did you not like the scenario? Although it doesn't meet the trends, it definitely is an entertaining project within its genre. Its production may seem uncertain, but once the cast is decided, there will be investors lining up, so there will be no concern it will be killed off due to a lack of investments."

It would proceed even smoother if I used my fame.

"I think that it has the highest potential for success amongst all the scenarios I have considered as my next project. I had thought that I couldn't lose Cat Guardian Ghost when I read it, and I get the same feeling from this."

While I was trying to persuade him, CEO Baek Hansung calmly looked at me with a smiling face. He occasionally tapped the table with his fingertips as though he was reacting to my words. After a good while, he nodded his head.

"The scenario wasn't bad. Like you said, it isn't what's trending these days, but noir works are rare in the country and it'll be good to widen our actors' spectrum with its charming characters. It is worth taking the risk if the actor is willing."

CEO Baek Hansung continued to speak positively about it. He seemed like he was going to allow it, so his next words were more dumbfounding.

"Still, look for another project."

His voice and expression were still gentle, but his voice was firm.

What was going on?

Did his trust in my judgment hit rock bottom because of rumors that I had a panic disorder? Or was he unhappy that I rejected Telepath, which he had personally mentioned?

While I thinking with a confused mind, CEO Baek Hansung tried to comfort me,

"If you really don't want to lose out on City Jungle, then hand it over to another team's chief."

"… Another team? Why do I have to do that?"

I couldn't understand it at all.

Why was it not okay if I wanted to do it, but okay for some other chief?

"You're in a situation where you should be stopping at nothing to find a project that will be a success. I'm just saying there's no need to pick a project with high risk."

"What…"

He smiled.

"Because, Team Leader Jung, you cannot fail."

{1} Chicken soup with ginseng and other medicinal ingredients. Considered a very nouris.h.i.+ng dish.

/ /