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When he got back home, Kang Chan went on the internet and memorized information related to drama production again.
He made sure to learn the drama industry’s jargons, and he especially read the article, ‘The Realities of Korean Dramas’ about ten times.
Strangely enough, on Saturday evenings, Kang Chan’s family always ended up ordering chicken and watching TV together. They had fun snickering while watching entertainment programs and enjoying watching films that were aired late at night.
Not being able to have even a sip of beer used to disappoint him, but cola didn’t seem so bad now.
On Sunday morning, Kang Dae-Kyung and Kang Chan had to prepare breakfast since Yoo Hye-Sook was too busy making a fuss, which was as expected.
Kang Dae-Kyung even put on an apron while saying that he was going to display his secret talent. He scooped up doenjangguk from the middle with a utensil and placed it in Kang Chan’s mouth.
“How does it taste?” asked Kang Dae-Kyung.
Kang Chan gave him a thumbs up with surprised eyes not because Kang Dae-Kyung looked so full of anticipation but because the doenjangguk was truly delicious. Kang Dae-Kyung nodded, seemingly satisfied.
They quickly ate breakfast, then Kang Chan did the dishes.
Kang went back to his room and loafed around. When he left his room again, Yoo Hye-Sook was still busy.
“Won’t you be late at this rate?” Kang Chan asked.
“You think so, Chan? How do I look?” asked Yoo Hye-Sook.
Kang Chan raised his thumb while smiling brightly.
“You’re really pretty. You’re going to be the star of the show today.”
“Thanks, Chan! Honey! What are you doing? We should go now.”
Kang Dae-Kyung urgently came out of the room wearing an eye-catching light blue shirt. It seemed to be the one Yoo Hye-Sook bought for him yesterday.
After they approved of Kang Dae-Kyung’s shirt, the two of them stood at the entrance.
“I also have something to do at Namsan Hotel. I could be at its lobby around 12:30 pm, or I could just drop by the meeting place out of curiosity,” said Kang Chan.
“It would be great if you could come. How about we buy pastries together after it ends? The pastries at that hotel are delicious.”
After an hour had passed since Kang Dae-Kyung and Yoo Hye-Sook left, Kang Chan also changed clothes.
***
The hotel’s lobby was quite crowded because it was a Sunday.
Even though Kang Chan had arrived around 10 minutes early, Michelle was already sitting in the lobby. She waved at him.
“Channy!”
Kang Chan momentarily thought Michelle was quite calm. However, she soon clung onto Kang Chan like a bitch whose disease that made her horny relapsed. She noisily kissed his cheeks.
The manager ran over and acknowledged him, and Kang Chan ordered coffee.
“Alion is going to attack us because Lee Ha-Yeon went there. The broadcasting company is going to demand that it becomes a joint production under the notion that we don’t have experience in producing dramas yet. There’s also a high chance that Alion is going to insist that we distribute the profit seventy-thirty and that they get to cast one of the main roles, regardless of whether it’s for the female or male role,” Michelle explained.
Wearing a black suit and a white blouse—and talking about work—made Michelle look quite charming.
“We have to keep the fifty-fifty profit distribution no matter what, but we can let them cast the male lead. It would be great if we can split the profit for the international copyrights in half as well,” Michelle continued.
“There are multiple broadcasting companies, right? Do we need to make a decision today?” asked Kang Chan.
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Michelle shook her head while wrinkling up her nose.
“The problem is companies like Alion have influence over public television. It’ll become difficult for us if even one of them turns against us since the program managers are too close to each other.”
“I see.”
Kang Chan processed Michelle’s explanations one by one, considering this to also be a part of learning the job.
“Right, Michelle. About the company staff retreat, would it be okay if we go with the kids from our school?”
Michelle replied after appearing to think about it for a moment.
“I don’t think it’ll matter, but wouldn’t that put you in an awkward position in front of the employees? I’m not sure how it would look if a high schooler were to ask you to do something in front of the trainees.”
“Ah, that’s true.”
Honestly, that was something he hadn’t thought of.
Kang Chan accepted Michelle’s opinion.
In all respects, it seemed like he was going to have to go to two different outings and a family summer vacation during the remainder of the break.
***
Alion and the Director of Programming went into the hotel together.
Kang Chan turned around and looked behind him upon noticing Michelle’s expression had turned weird, finding Lee Ha-Yeon coming toward the table with two people.
Kang Chan and Michelle got up from their spot and greeted them.
“Hello, President Chan. Director Michelle already knows everyone, but this is David Choi, the president of Alion. I recently joined their company. And this is the Director of Programming, Moon Bon-Geun.”
After Lee Ha-Yeon introduced everyone and they greeted each other, they sat down and ordered tea.
“I bet you’ve already heard about the situation, so let’s keep this conversation quick.”
Even before the tea was served, the man called David, who looked to be around forty years old, arrogantly spoke. He had quite a big build, thick lips, and sharp eyes.
“If you make Lee Ha-Yeon here the leading lady, then we’ll split up the profit in half. If we’re going to cast the main male character, the split will be seventy-thirty. How’s that?”
“Why does it have to be like that?” Kang Chan asked when Michelle was looking at him.
“Well, we’ll be facing just quite the difficulty persuading someone to be the male lead if Eun So-Yeon is cast as the female lead. The party that goes through more hardship should get more money. The decision is up to you.”
No matter how much Kang Chan looked at him, it didn’t seem like David studied or lived abroad at all. It was clear that he just put an English name on a Korean man.
“Even from the broadcasting station’s position, having Eun So-Yeon as the main actress is a burden in all respects. But they’re acknowledging you guys anyway because Alion has a lot of experience.”
Director Moon Bon-Geun was a completely easygoing person, but he looked very stubborn. Seemed their words wouldn’t go through him.
Kang Chan raised his gaze when their tea was served, finding Lee Ha-Yeon smiling slyly. She didn’t hide her smile despite their eyes meeting.
When Kang Chan showed her his peculiar smile, Lee Ha-Yeon looked at him with eyes that seemed to ask, ‘could it be?’
Business? Wasn’t that something people did to ultimately gain profits?
Regardless, he didn’t want to put up with subservient conditions. If he were to lower his head, then the trainees beneath him would have to kneel for something that they would have to pay the full amount for.
Kang Chan first looked at Michelle, then asked her a question.
“I understand that this condition was given because of the investment that we got from Yungs. Is that correct?”
“That’s right.”
Michelle’s tactfulness was certainly amazing. To think she could speak formally yet in such a friendly way.
“We acknowledge Alion’s conditions. In return, each party involved should pay half of the cost for the drama production.”
Kang Chan’s words made David harshly place down the coffee cup, seemingly offended.
“You misunderstand, young president. If we have to pay half of the costs, then exceptionally better conditions that are better than D.I are lined up. Speak only when you actually know what you’re talking about.”
Kang Chan nodded.
“Mr. Director, you’re saying that it’ll be difficult to program a drama if we don’t work with Alion, right?”
“You can see it that way.”
Kang Chan nodded again.
“If that’s the case, then let’s just pretend that this didn’t happen.”
The atmosphere instantly became cold at that moment. However, the tactful Michelle held her ground, appearing to be not shaken even in the slightest.
“If you act that way, then it’s going to be difficult for you to survive in South Korea,” David replied.
Kang Chan undauntedly met David’s sharp eyes.
“Wouldn’t I be able to survive in this industry even with just Eun So-Yeon alone if I can receive one billion won in investment?” asked Kang Chan.
“What are you going to do after, though? You won’t be able to sell your drama anywhere.”
Kang Chan showed him his peculiar smile while looking straight into David’s eyes.
“We can just collaborate with China instead. Yungs said they’ll give us one billion won more if needed. With it, we shouldn’t have to worry about losses for as long as Eun So-Yeon becomes popular in China. If even just one more actor playing a supporting or minor role becomes popular as well, then we’d be making more than we invested,” said Kang Chan.
That was a passage from the Reality of Korean Dramas, which he saw on the internet.
“We can stop China from selling your product if we wish.” David came out strong, perhaps because his pride was hurt.
Neither of them avoided the other’s gaze for even a moment. In this battle, the first to divert their eyes away would lose.
“If that’s how you want to do this, then so be it. From now on, if even one Alion actor tries to star in a drama, or if there’s a drama that Alion has invested even ten cents in, then I’ll block its export to China and Japan. This should be quite fun.”
David suddenly got very angry.
I’m going to hit that fucker’s nose!
“Now, now. Let’s not act like this. We met up to cooperate.”
Moon Bon-Geun couldn’t watch any longer, so he held out his hand and tried to calm each side down. However, the fight had already started.
“This industry isn’t a pushover for a rookie like you to agitate at will just because you know a few gangsters and you have the talent to bring in money,” David said.
“That’s why I’m saying I’m going to do it my way. If you don’t like it, then you don’t have to accept it. Why are you still complaining?” Kang Chan replied.
“Hey! Everyone, stop! President Choi! Are you really going to ignore my words?”
When Moon Bon-Geun directly criticized him, David gritted his teeth, then turned his head to Moon Bon-Geun.
“Let’s go.”
When David stood up, Moon Bon-Geun quickly followed him.
“Let’s see who wins.”
“Do what you want.”
The three of them left the table.
Sons of bitches.
If they were going to walk out on them, they should’ve at least left after paying for their coffee.
“Phoo!”
After they went out of the door of the hotel, Michelle exhaled loudly. She looked completely different from when she sat with a calm expression throughout the conversation.
“What’s wrong?” Kang Chan asked Michelle.
“I was surprised. I was trying really hard not to get caught that my heart had become a hot mess because of how you acted.”
It was correct that this bitch definitely had a disease–a disease that made her horny no matter where and when.
He needed to introduce director Yoo Hun-Woo to her.