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Chapter 394: Han Hyun-Ho (1)

The previous gifts had mainly been fine delicacies like dried yellow corvina, matsutake mushrooms, and premium Hanwoo, but Yoo Kang-Seok\'s generosity was on a different level.

I had also used this strategy myself occasionally in my past life, and it turned out that such extravagant gifts had surprisingly strong effects.

When people received such an expensive gift, they typically reacted in one of two ways.

The first was to accept it with some reluctance, in which case they 100% helped me with my request. The second was to flat-out refuse. They sometimes got angry as they refused, but that didn\'t actually matter.

As long as my intent—that I regard them seriously enough to offer this kind of gift—was conveyed, things tended to smooth out later on. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

However, with her limited experience, Han Woo-Ju didn\'t fall into either category.

The moment Yoo Kang-Seok saw Han Woo-Ju completely at a loss of words, he took the opportunity to bow deeply. "Please take good care of Gyu-Ri for us. She made a big mistake today, but she\'s genuinely talented. I\'m giving you this purely as a gesture of apology. There\'s absolutely no other reason."

Han Woo-Ju looked at me with her eyes pleading for help.

I immediately addressed Yoo Kang-Seok. "Mr. Yoo, it seems like Miss Han feels quite uncomfortable, so I believe it\'s best to take it back.\'

"Hahaha. I-is that so?"

Yoo Kang-Seok seemed a bit surprised by my unwavering stance.

"And since Miss Han has accepted your apology, I think you should be on your way now."

"What? Right away...?"

He probably planned to promote Min Gyu-Ri a bit more after apologizing, but there was no chance of that.

\'As if his influence could extend here,\' I remarked inwardly.

Because I had used the same tactic myself, I was familiar with how to handle it. I promptly stood up and pointed to the entrance as I knew situations like this didn\'t benefit from leniency.

"We\'ve got sashimi delivery coming soon."

A pricey leather bag that we couldn\'t even eat was pointless. All I wanted was a slice of sashimi to feed the hungry Miso clutching to her stomach beside me.

This was the moment the Hermos bag was outdone by a VIP sashimi set that included a spicy stew as part of the set.

The flustered Yoo Kang-Seok said, "Well, then at least let me cover the meal expenses."

"I\'ve already paid for it."

"Oh... I see. Well, then. Next time, I\'ll treat you properly."

Yoo Kang-Seok returned the Hermos box to the shopping bag and stood up. Having achieved nothing besides apologizing for Min Gyu-Ri\'s mistake, he looked visibly disappointed.

After apologizing to Yoo-Jin as well, Yoo Kang-Seok and Min Gyu-Ri headed toward the entrance as I saw them off.

As they reached the doorway, Yoo Kang-Seok suddenly grabbed my arm. "Mr. Jung, could I possibly speak with you outside for a moment?"

Seeing his earnest expression, I couldn\'t refuse.

"Only until the sashimi arrives," I replied.

***

Now that there was no one around to keep her in check in front of the elevator, Min Gyu-Ri was already pouting her lips.

I wondered what she planned to do if I reported her complete lack of remorse.

Clearly disappointed by her behavior, Yoo Kang-Seok let out a deep sigh.

Ding.

When the elevator arrived, Yoo Kang-Seok handed Min Gyu-Ri the gift bag and car keys. "Gyu-Ri, could you go down to the basement parking lot and wait in the car?"

"You want me to go alone?"

Yoo Kang-Seok\'s voice rose with his patience thinning. "You\'re not a three-year-old. Can\'t you take the elevator by yourself?"

"Okay. I\'ll go down."

Min Gyu-Ri gave a half-hearted farewell and headed down alone.

Yoo Kang-Seok let out a sigh. "I\'m really sorry, Mr. Jung."

"There\'s no need to apologize. It\'s hardly my first time seeing celebrities behave like that."

Yoo Kang-Seok looked sheepish and spoke again. "But you really seem close to the writers."

"Well, we\'ve built a relationship of mutual support over time."

"I envy you. Coming from a non-talent agent background, I still find it challenging to approach field PDs and writers."

"They\'re tough to deal with even for those who know them. I completely understand how you feel."

"Hahaha. Is that so?"

After a hearty laugh, Yoo Kang-Seok\'s expression grew more comfortable as he got to the main point.

"The truth is, our company grew too quickly and I asked to meet because we lack someone to bridge the gap."

"By \'the gap,\' do you mean an executive position?"

"Yes. When we acquired the company, we put the former owners in executive roles. But they\'re all focused on protecting their own interests."

Yoo Kang-Seok was originally from an entertainment company\'s business planning department, and he understood the industry well. However, he had no talent agent experience and admitted that the company was struggling to manage the actors effectively.

"So Mr. Jung...would you perhaps be interested in a vice president role at TNT Entertainment?"

I had expected a recruitment pitch but was surprised it was for a second-in-command position. I was struck by the boldness and directness of the offer.

Looking me straight in the eye, Yoo Kang-Seok continued. "I believe I understand this industry better than anyone. But without a partner who knows the field from a talent agent\'s perspective, I\'m limited. I\'ve been searching for that partner and you\'re perfect for the role. With you onboard, I\'m confident we could reach the top of the industry in no time."

"But I\'ve only been a team lead for two years."

"That\'s exactly the point—a two-year team lead! Age doesn\'t matter. I believe in people working in positions that match their abilities. I mean, even I am seen as a young and inexperienced guy by the industry veterans, right?\'

Though Yoo Kang-Seok\'s boldness was impressive, I had no interest. What I wanted was to work alongside actors I personally wanted to nurture.

"I appreciate the offer, but I\'m happy with my position at Hoop Entertainment."

Almost as if anticipating my response, Yoo Kang-Seok immediately presented an alternative. "T-then how about being a vice president for just two years? If we reach the top in those two years, we\'ll share the presidency. What do you say?"

I had wondered how TNT had managed to reach the top in my past life, and now I saw why: Yoo Kang-Seok had unrelenting drive and daring offers.

Of course, the same characteristics that led to their success ultimately caused their downfall when the company\'s expenses spiraled out of control.

Just then, the elevator dinged and the delivery person walked out.

I shifted aside and asked, "Is the delivery for suite 1501?"

"Ah, yes."

"You can head that way."

"Thank... you."

While the delivery person walked in the direction I indicated, I pressed the elevator\'s down button.

"I\'m sorry, but I\'ll have to decline that offer as well."

"Sigh. Is that so...?"

"Yes. I really enjoy working at Hoop Entertainment. But since you seem to think well of me, I\'ll offer one piece of advice. Don\'t coddle Min Gyu-Ri too much. The more lenient you are, the more she\'ll walk all over you.\'

Rather than urging him to focus on the company\'s internal stability which he would probably ignore anyway, it was a hundred times better to suggest he manage Min Gyu-Ri carefully.

"Thank you... for the advice."

Lost in thought, Yoo Kang-Seok entered the elevator.

Ding.

As soon as the elevator doors closed, I rushed to suite 1501.

My mind was already filled with images of thinly sliced parrotfish sashimi and a bubbling spicy fish bone stew.

***

After dropping Yoo-Jin and Miso off at home, I returned to the company as I needed to handle follow-up work for a proposal to produce the original soundtrack album for Hwaranjeon.

As soon as I arrived at the office, I headed straight to Singer Division 2 where Lee Dong-Min was stationed.

Lee Dong-Min was planning a global idol project for Ling Ling and greeted me warmly. "I heard the news. You secured the Hwaranjeon original soundtrack album contract, huh?"

I nodded. "Yes, that\'s right."

I had reported the original soundtrack project directly to Kang Ji-Yung because of the contract, so word had spread quickly around the company.

"You managed to wring out a 20% increase from those stingy network folks. That\'s very impressive, Yoon-Ho."

Even the sunbaes in Singer Division 2 standing behind Lee Dong-Min offered their congratulations.

"Well done, Team Lead Jung!"

"Great work, Yoon-Ho. I can\'t think of anyone else who could pull it off like you."

"Thank you so much!"

After acknowledging their praise, Lee Dong-Min stood up. "Knowing Seon-Woo, he\'s probably already started composing."

"Probably not yet. I told him to wait until he read the script first, so I don\'t think he\'s started yet."

"You think so? Then let\'s head down quickly."

Lee Dong-Min and I headed directly to the basement recording studio.

On the way down in the elevator, Lee Dong-Min asked, "If you\'ve secured the whole album, that\'s at least twelve songs. Who\'s going to sing them all?"

"For now, I\'m excluding \'Soulfire\' and planning to assign one song to Kang Ha-Na, two to Cherry Blossom, and two to Sae-Ri."

"And what about the rest?"

"I\'m considering Treviang\'s leader Oh Ji-Ah and Ms. Kang Ji-Yoon from Singer Division 1. I\'ll have to think over the other spots."

Treviang was a hip-hop idol group nurtured by Chief Han So-Yoo, while Kang Ji-Yoon was a female singer with twelve years of experience in Singer Division 1.

Lee Dong-Min tilted his head with a puzzled expression. "What about Han Hyun-Ho? Are you seriously planning to leave out the \'Prince of original soundtracks\'?"

Forty-two-year-old Han Hyun-Ho who was in his twentieth year as a singer had once been a wildly popular ballad singer. He was even nicknamed the Prince of Ballads. He had sold over a million albums, still had a loyal fan base, and retained his clear and appealing voice.

Recently, he had gotten the nickname \'Prince of original soundtracks,\' thanks to his frequent contributions to movie and drama soundtracks.

Just two months ago, he topped the original soundtrack chart and placed second on the overall music chart with the soundtrack from the movie Dongcheon River.

However, I had no intention of using him. In just a month, he would be arrested for assaulting his girlfriend.

As I debated how to explain this, we reached the second basement level.

Ding.

The elevator doors opened and we stepped into the basement recording studio.

At that moment, I heard a commotion.

-Hey, Bang Seon-Woo! You know it\'s a guaranteed hit if I sing the original soundtrack, right? Just give me three solid tracks. It\'s not like I\'m asking for much, is it?

I had come down with excited anticipation to work on an album with Bang Seon-Woo, but what greeted me was an entirely unexpected situation.

"What...what is going on?" Lee Dong-Min wondered.

"Mr. Lee, isn\'t that Hyun-Ho hyung-nim\'s voice?" I asked.

"It sounds like it, doesn\'t it?"

Having heard that an album was being produced, Han Hyun-Ho had come down to the basement studio and was intimidating Bang Seon-Woo to demand songs.

\'This guy...\'

Lee Dong-Min and I immediately dashed toward Studio 4.

***

When I opened the door to Studio 4, I saw the forty-two-year-old Prince of Ballads, Han Hyun-Ho, sitting on the sofa and threatening Bang Seon-Woo.

Standing at 186 cm with a handsome face, Han Hyun-Ho had a deceptively gentle appearance that hid a rather violent nature.

As Han Hyun-Ho kept pressuring him, Bang Seon-Woo sat with his head down and nervously glanced around like a student being scolded by a teacher.

A singer berating a composer was completely absurd.

As soon as I entered the studio, I called out, "Seon-Woo! What\'s going on?"

Bang Seon-Woo lifted his head and looked at me. For a moment, his eyes showed a hint of relief. "Hyung..."

I nodded and walked over to stand in front of Bang Seon-Woo. "Hyun-Ho hyung-nim, please talk to me about this matter from now on."

Han Hyun-Ho motioned dismissively. "Hey, Team Lead Jung. A talent agent should stay out of this. Can\'t you see the singer and composer are talking here?"

"I\'m that composer\'s talent agent, so you\'ll talk with me instead."

Han Hyun-Ho scoffed at me as if the idea were laughable. "Even composers have talent agents now?"

"I personally took responsibility for Seon-Woo when I brought him here."

Han Hyun-Ho leaned forward. "It seems like success has gone to your head. Hey, do you even know who I am?"

"I do. Is there anyone in this company who doesn\'t know the Prince of original soundtracks?"

"Then why are you blocking me? You\'ve got some nerve."

"Please watch your words, hyung-nim."

Han Hyun-Ho glared at me and asked, "Let me ask you something. Honestly, is it too much to ask for three of the twelve original soundtrack tracks?"

"How can we hand over songs when we haven\'t even decided on the album\'s tracks? Wouldn\'t it make sense to discuss it after we know what we\'re working with?"

"Is there any song I couldn\'t handle? Besides, me singing the songs would benefit you all too, wouldn\'t it?"

Han Hyun-Ho tried to justify himself as if he were doing us a favor, but it was ridiculous.

\'He\'s just here to stake a claim now that he sees this drama\'s likely to be a hit. This is unbelievable...\' I thought.

On the way to the company, MBS had uploaded a MeTube video clipping only the parts where Min Gyu-Ri stumbled during the script reading with the actors.

As a result, Hwaranjeon was now second in real-time search rankings.

With all this attention even before airing, Han Hyun-Ho must have decided Hwaranjeon would be a success, hoping to ride the wave. After all, hitting number one on the charts would be a breeze if he sang for such a talked-about drama.

As the tension between Han Hyun-Ho and me escalated, Lee Dong-Min stepped in and raised his voice. "Hyun-Ho, that\'s enough. Coming here and pressuring the composer isn\'t the way to handle things."

Lee Dong-Min was three years older than Han Hyun-Ho. Having come from a music background himself, Lee Dong-Min had once been Han Hyun-Ho\'s producer.

Nevertheless, since Han Hyun-Ho was a major name and had been with Hoop Entertainment from the beginning, Lee Dong-Min still had to tread carefully with him.

"Hyung, isn\'t that a bit harsh? Pressuring the composer? Who else in this company could sing the theme for such a major project?" Han Hyun-Ho retorted.

"Even so, this isn\'t how you should treat a composer."

Han Hyun-Ho shot Lee Dong-Min a glare. "Hyung, don\'t tell me you\'re planning to give the songs to some other company\'s singer. Is that why you\'re making excuses now?"

Lee Dong-Min hesitated. "Well..."

"What? Seriously, hyung? That\'s suspicious."

"I mean...nothing has been decided yet. Why rush when we haven\'t even set the album concept?"

"Are you kidding? You\'re just making a simple issue complicated! Let\'s make this easy for both of us. Are you giving me the songs or not?"

In the face of Han Hyun-Ho\'s raised voice, I responded firmly. "Who we choose for the album is our business."

"What?"

"And I\'m sorry, but there\'s no place for you in this album."

\'A place in the album? Your place is in prison, Han Hyun-Ho,\' I growled.