章 153: Competent or Incompetent (7)
The main producer of Good Friends, Choi Byungsoo, quickly read the mood.
General Manager Hwang was leisurely sitting on his left, and Chief Jung Sunwoo was lost in his thoughts with his hands clasped on his right. Producer Choi recalled the conversation he had ten minutes Chief Jung Sunwoo arrived.
'Are you sure it's okay to push him? It's not like it's some minor company but W&U. Also, you know Chief Jung Sunwoo.'
'Why are you so cautious around some budding seedling as a network producer? Large management companies are taking on bad habits because of guys like you. They think they're the best since we treat their top stars well.'
'What if they take the reality TV show elsewhere because they are offended? This proposal is good.'
'There are two Neptune members on your show. We can just put a little pressure on him saying that they could be taken off the show.'
'Will that work?'
'It'll have to. I'm doing this for you, aren't I? I'll be the one to pressure him, so you just play up to him from the side. There's a ton we can gain from him. We need to take every last bit.'
At first, Producer Choi felt skeptical, but he slowly began to think General Manager Hwang's words had some truth to them.
If things work out and W&U actors will appear on his show and if he could properly utilize Jung Sunwoo, who the general public had an eye on… This was something he couldn't pass when he was worried he might be changed out from the program as he awaited the spring restructuring.
Just as his small hope grew, Jung Sunwoo spoke,
"General manager."
His voice was calm despite having been looked down upon.
"Sponsored idol reality shows are trying to do business with their fans, but our situation is a bit different, is it not? This will be a hot topic. It'll get ads, and you might be able to sell the rights as Chinese demand increases with Lee Songha's appearance on the show."
"Isn't it still a three or four-part series? There needs to be a bit more of a benefit for us."
General Manager Hwang frowned.
"I mean, are we asking for a lot? In exchange for giving you a good timeslot and setting you up with a good director and writers, all we want is W&U's wholehearted support. I'm simply suggesting we help each other out."
"It's good to help each other out. But we can't order our top stars around."
Jung Sunwoo made a difficult expression.
General Manager Hwang, who acted like he was upset, changed his tone,
"Then what about those at a lower level? Who's that actor, the one who's in the news a lot? Nam Joyoon? What if him and you come on the show and share your story? Wouldn't it benefit him as well if we promote him like this?"
"That's true. It'll be beneficial, but we are carefully deliberating his entertainment show appearances. It's a very important time for him right now, and he's not a skilled talker."
"Now really. Then let's have Neptune's comeback performance on our network? They are preparing an album, right? Since you did it on PBS last time, you should do it on our network."
Before Jung Sunwoo could reply, General Manager Hwang cut him off and said,
"Think about it carefully. Chief Jung, if you keep saying that you can't do this and that, then we'll get upset. Internally, people have brought up switching out Im Seoyoung and LJ, and if our relationship with W&U sours, that might actually happen."
"Oh, general manager. Why would you bring that up here?"
Producer Choi quickly joined in.
"Seoyoung and LJ are part of our family. It's our fault that they aren't trendy enough. Why do you keep bringing up hard-working cast members?"
"It's because it feels like we're the only ones who think of them like family!"
General Manager Hwang clicked his tongue then left the room saying he had to make a call.
Producer Choi placed his hand on Jung Sunwoo's shoulder.
"I'm sorry. I can't say anything because he's our chief producer. I'm sorry."
Jung Sunwoo turned to look at him. Producer Choi swallowed dryly as he examined Jung Sunwoo's expression. He had thought he would either be at a loss at what to do or mad at the general manager's intimidation. He thought it would be one of the two…
But it was neither.
"I'm a bit taken aback. Can we consider this as IBC's official stance?"
"Not mine, but it's the general manager's stance. You know how the higher-ups think. I'll try talking with the general manager again so please help me out. Please think of it as helping Seoyoung and LJ out. Of course, we'll push the reality…"
Producer Choi examined his expression again as he tried to persuade him.
Jung Sunwoo had a thick smile on his face.
"You are Lee Kwanwoo, correct? Neptune's road manager?"
"Ah, yes. That's me."
Lee Kwanwoo, who was glancing at the meeting room, stood up. The man who approached him had an IBC employee card around his neck. He introduced himself as a drama director before handing him a warm cup of coffee.
"I heard Chief Jung Sunwoo came to the entertainment department. Is that true?"
"They are in a meeting right now."
"Oh wow. I came right over when I heard the news. It's been difficult to meet with him to discuss any projects. Does our Chief Jung like coffee or juice?"
The director asked while holding a can of coffee and juice in either hand.
"From what I know, he drinks coffee more often."
"But what is the meeting about? He needs to be in a good mood so that I can strike a conversation with him."
"Just…"
Lee Kwanwoo was sidestepping the conversation when Jung Sunwoo walked out of the meeting room.
The director beamed.
"Uh, I don't know what they talked about, but I guess things went well? He's smiling."
"I guess."
Lee Kwanwoo mumbled.
The director quickly headed over and handed him the can of coffee and a script.
"Chief Jung! This, I talked to you about it on the phone before. This will be a huge success."
"Hello."
"We haven't received a timeslot because we haven't confirmed the leads, but if Ms. Lee Songha says she'll do it, we'll get a timeslot immediately. It's also time for Ms. Songha to be a sole lead! Don't go anywhere and work with us."
"Hmm, we'll have to see the schedule for any new projects."
"We match your schedule! Call me once you've read the script, okay?"
"Of course, I'll let you know first."
Jung Sunwoo said with a smile.
Leaving behind the wistful drama director, he left the building with steadfast steps.
Lee Kwanwoo followed behind and asked,
"I guess the meeting didn't go well?"
"Why do you think that? I'm smiling, aren't I?"
Jung Sunwoo laughed.
Taking a step back, Lee Kwanwoo scratched his neck, which had broken out in goosebumps.
Greeting people as he passed by, Jung Sunwoo said,
"It's been a long time since I've been looked down upon like this. It's refreshing. I feel two years younger."
"Why? Did they say they won't do the show?"
"No, they said they want to, but they want too much."
"Want too much?"
"It's like trying to live together, but if we want to live with them, we need to buy the house, appliances, furniture, and a car."
"What the…"
Understanding what went on in the meeting, Lee Kwanwoo frowned. The battle of wits between broadcasting and management companies. And the tyranny of network producers who held the timeslots. This wasn't surprising.
"Then what are you going to do?"
"What do you think?"
All traces of a smile disappeared from Jung Sunwoo's face.
"I can't live like that."
***
I left Lee Kwanwoo to go back to the company before heading to Neptune's residence.
I opened the door and went in. Lee Taehee was standing by the entrance.
It was usually Lee Songha.
"She's sleeping."
Lee Taehee gestured with her chin as though she read my mind. Lee Songha was sleeping, flopped on the sofa. She had an interview early yesterday morning as well. She has been so busy that it felt like I've only seen her eat or sleep when she wasn't working.
"What about the other girls?"
"I think they are sleeping? They haven't left their rooms, saying that it was going to rain since the morning."
"What were you doing?"
"Rice wine is best for rainy days."
Lee Taehee licked her lips before continuing,
"I was working on songs while having a drink."
"Did you tell the others about your songs?"
"No, I plan on telling them once it's decided."
Then she smiled faintly. It suited her.
She was always like this while she was waiting for my reply. She was always calm and quiet.
However, when I told her that Kim Hyunjo and the Team 3 Leader danced when they heard her songs… When I said sorry for the late reply and laughed as I told her she might be a genius…
Lee Taehee's relieved expression was completely different from normal.
Although she acted like nothing was wrong, she must have a lot on her mind. Also, this probably wasn't limited to Lee Taehee. It was the same for Lee Songha, who was becoming more famous by the day but was also gaining a lot of personal fans that negatively affected their group's fanbase. This also went for Im Seoyoung and LJ, who were appearing on entertainment shows.
I wondered how much they had on their minds that they weren't telling me.
"Oppa! When did you arrive?"
Im Seoyoung burst out her room. Her hair was a mess like she had just woken up, and she had a yellow blanket wrapped around her like a cloak. Im Seoyoung's cheery voice shook their residence. Lee Songha's eyes immediately opened, and LJ yawned as she came out of her room.
"Does Lee Songha have another schedule today? Euahh, but she looks like a complete couch-potato right now."
"I'm fine."
"You have ssamjang{1} on your chin."
Lee Songha hastily rubbed her chin.
"It was a lie."
Im Seoyoung giggled. Then she asked me,
"Really, why did you come today?"
"To see you."
"Ehh, don't lie!"
"It's true."
Im Seoyoung, who shook her blanket in a playful manner, stopped.
"Really?"
"I came to see you and LJ."
Taking a moment to process this, Im Seoyoung and LJ blinked.
We went into LJ's room. Im Seoyoung's room had no space due to all her stuffed animals.
This room was filled with exercising equipment and gaming gear. Thick books in their original language were neatly organized on her desk. I couldn't tell what they were about as their covers had pictures of shackles or handcuffs on them.
We took our places on the chair, bed, and floor when the door creaked open.
"Oppa, do you want coffee?"
Lee Songha leaned her head out.
"No, it's fine."
"We also have citron tea, ginseng extract, and tomato juice."
"We have stuff like that in our fridge? Why didn't I see them?"
Im Seoyoung's eyes widened. LJ flatly said,
"You should tell her to bring you something. It looks she's worried you'll faint from a parched throat while talking."
"Then citron tea."
"Please wait a moment. I'll make it right now."
Im Seoyoung glared at her.
"Are you not going to ask us? I'm going to drink all of oppa's share."
"We have water and barley tea."
"Hey!":
"It's a joke."
Having gotten her revenge, Lee Songha soon brought over three cups.
Taking a sip of citron tea, I looked at Im Seoyoung. She acted stiffly when I told her I wanted to talk, but she now returned to normal thanks to Lee Songha. Looking at her sipping tomato juice while holding her cup with both hands, I asked,
"How's the mood on Good Friends?"
Her large eyes shook like they were struck by an earthquake.
"It… It's good?"
"Is it really? It seems like they are a bit restless with the upcoming restructuring."
"No…"
"A bit."
LJ said.
Surprised, Im Seoyoung couldn't even shout before slapping LJ's back.
"Hey, what's wrong? It doesn't matter if we talk about it now. He's already decided to appear on the show."
"Still…!"
"We need to discuss this once anyways."
She looked at me. LJ downed her bottle of water in an instant.
"The staff kept going around asking us to get you to appear on the show. They only asked me, but it seems they pestered her because she seemed like a pushover. Especially the producer. He asked why we couldn't ask our manager to do this and commented about how we didn't have any affection for the program."
"Producer Choi Byungsoo?"
LJ nodded before adding,
"About that producer."
"Hey, stop it! It's so embarrassing! What are you going to say now?!"
Im Seoyoung was nervous as she bounced up and down.
"Should I stop?"
I handed her my citron tea and said,
"No, tell me everything."
*
Rain sprinkled on my windshield. The white streetlights' light diffused through the rain. Sitting in the driver's seat, I quietly observed at the scene. The incident at the broadcasting company and LJ's words rang in my mind.
"Chief Jung!"
A voice broke the silence. Chief Lee Taeshin got in the passenger's seat. He seemed to have rushed over without an umbrella as his hair was wet.
He clenched his fist once before lowering his head. His expression became gloomy like a cloudy night sky.
"I'm sorry. I haven't found Jae yet. She hasn't contacted her home. She came to the city during high school with the dream of becoming a singer, so she probably doesn't have any friends to spend the night at. The other girls signed with another company, but I have no idea where she disappeared off to."
Saying this, he examined my expression.
It seemed he was worried I would tell him to stop looking for Jung Jae.
"I'm constantly looking around…"
"I guess she might contact you once the article is published."
"The article?"
Chief Lee Taeshin quickly looked up.
"Yes, please let the goldfish, I mean, members know that they can tell their family."
"Then…!"
The corners of my lips rose as I said,
"It's time to start."
{1} Korean sauce usually used for Korean BBQ
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