Top Management - Chapter 154
Chapter 154
Chapter 154: Competent or Incompetent (7)πreeπ€π¦ππ§π°veπ. coπ
TL: emptycube / ED: Isleidir
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.
βAre you sure itβs okay to push him? Itβs not like itβs some minor company but W&U. Also, you know Chief Jung Sunwoo.β
βWhy 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 theyβre the best since we treat their top stars well.β
βWhat if they take the reality TV show elsewhere because they are offended? This proposal is good.β
βThere 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.β
βWill that work?β
βItβll have to. Iβm doing this for you, arenβt I? Iβll be the one to pressure him, so you just play up to him from the side. Thereβs a ton we can gain from him. We need to take every last bit.β
At first, Producer Choi felt skeptical, but he slowly began to think General Manager Hwangβs 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 couldnβt 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,
βGeneral manager.β
His voice was calm despite having been looked down upon.
βSponsored 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. Itβll get ads, and you might be able to sell the rights as Chinese demand increases with Lee Songhaβs appearance on the show.β
βIsnβt it still a three or four-part series? There needs to be a bit more of a benefit for us.β
General Manager Hwang frowned.
βI 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&Uβs wholehearted support. Iβm simply suggesting we help each other out.β
βItβs good to help each other out. But we canβt order our top stars around.β
Jung Sunwoo made a difficult expression.
General Manager Hwang, who acted like he was upset, changed his tone,
βThen what about those at a lower level? Whoβs that actor, the one whoβs in the news a lot? Nam Joyoon? What if him and you come on the show and share your story? Wouldnβt it benefit him as well if we promote him like this?β
βThatβs true. Itβll be beneficial, but we are carefully deliberating his entertainment show appearances. Itβs a very important time for him right now, and heβs not a skilled talker.β
βNow really. Then letβs have Neptuneβs 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.β
Before Jung Sunwoo could reply, General Manager Hwang cut him off and said,
βThink about it carefully. Chief Jung, if you keep saying that you canβt do this and that, then weβll 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.β
βOh, general manager. Why would you bring that up here?β
Producer Choi quickly joined in.
βSeoyoung and LJ are part of our family. Itβs our fault that they arenβt trendy enough. Why do you keep bringing up hard-working cast members?β
βItβs because it feels like weβre the only ones who think of them like family!β
General Manager Hwang clicked his tongue then left the room saying he had to make a call.
Producer Choi placed his hand on Jung Sunwooβs shoulder.
βIβm sorry. I canβt say anything because heβs our chief producer. Iβm sorry.β
Jung Sunwoo turned to look at him. Producer Choi swallowed dryly as he examined Jung Sunwooβs expression. He had thought he would either be at a loss at what to do or mad at the general managerβs intimidation. He thought it would be one of the two…
But it was neither.
βIβm a bit taken aback. Can we consider this as IBCβs official stance?β
βNot mine, but itβs the general managerβs stance. You know how the higher-ups think. Iβll try talking with the general manager again so please help me out. Please think of it as helping Seoyoung and LJ out. Of course, weβll push the reality…β
Producer Choi examined his expression again as he tried to persuade him.
Jung Sunwoo had a thick smile on his face.
βYou are Lee Kwanwoo, correct? Neptuneβs road manager?β
βAh, yes. Thatβs me.β
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.
βI heard Chief Jung Sunwoo came to the entertainment department. Is that true?β
βThey are in a meeting right now.β
βOh wow. I came right over when I heard the news. Itβs been difficult to meet with him to discuss any projects. Does our Chief Jung like coffee or juice?β
The director asked while holding a can of coffee and juice in either hand.
βFrom what I know, he drinks coffee more often.β
βBut what is the meeting about? He needs to be in a good mood so that I can strike a conversation with him.β
βJust…β
Lee Kwanwoo was sidestepping the conversation when Jung Sunwoo walked out of the meeting room.
The director beamed.
βUh, I donβt know what they talked about, but I guess things went well? Heβs smiling.β
βI guess.β
Lee Kwanwoo mumbled.
The director quickly headed over and handed him the can of coffee and a script.
βChief Jung! This, I talked to you about it on the phone before. This will be a huge success.β
βHello.β
βWe havenβt received a timeslot because we havenβt confirmed the leads, but if Ms. Lee Songha says sheβll do it, weβll get a timeslot immediately. Itβs also time for Ms. Songha to be a sole lead! Donβt go anywhere and work with us.β
βHmm, weβll have to see the schedule for any new projects.β
βWe match your schedule! Call me once youβve read the script, okay?β
βOf course, Iβll let you know first.β
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,
βI guess the meeting didnβt go well?β
βWhy do you think that? Iβm smiling, arenβt I?β
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,
βItβs been a long time since Iβve been looked down upon like this. Itβs refreshing. I feel two years younger.β
βWhy? Did they say they wonβt do the show?β
βNo, they said they want to, but they want too much.β
βWant too much?β
βItβs like trying to live together, but if we want to live with them, we need to buy the house, appliances, furniture, and a car.β
βWhat the…β
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 wasnβt surprising.
βThen what are you going to do?β
βWhat do you think?β
All traces of a smile disappeared from Jung Sunwooβs face.
βI canβt live like that.β
***
I left Lee Kwanwoo to go back to the company before heading to Neptuneβs residence.
I opened the door and went in. Lee Taehee was standing by the entrance.
It was usually Lee Songha.
βSheβs sleeping.β
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 Iβve only seen her eat or sleep when she wasnβt working.
βWhat about the other girls?β
βI think they are sleeping? They havenβt left their rooms, saying that it was going to rain since the morning.β
βWhat were you doing?β
βRice wine is best for rainy days.β
Lee Taehee licked her lips before continuing,
βI was working on songs while having a drink.β
βDid you tell the others about your songs?β
βNo, I plan on telling them once itβs decided.β
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 Taeheeβs 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 wasnβt 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 groupβs 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 werenβt telling me.
βOppa! When did you arrive?β
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 Seoyoungβs cheery voice shook their residence. Lee Songhaβs eyes immediately opened, and LJ yawned as she came out of her room.
βDoes Lee Songha have another schedule today? Euahh, but she looks like a complete couch-potato right now.β
βIβm fine.β
βYou have ssamjang
{1}
on your chin.β
Lee Songha hastily rubbed her chin.
βIt was a lie.β
Im Seoyoung giggled. Then she asked me,
βReally, why did you come today?β
βTo see you.β
βEhh, donβt lie!β
βItβs true.β
Im Seoyoung, who shook her blanket in a playful manner, stopped.
βReally?β
βI came to see you and LJ.β
Taking a moment to process this, Im Seoyoung and LJ blinked.
We went into LJβs room. Im Seoyoungβs 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 couldnβt 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.
βOppa, do you want coffee?β
Lee Songha leaned her head out.
βNo, itβs fine.β
βWe also have citron tea, ginseng extract, and tomato juice.β
βWe have stuff like that in our fridge? Why didnβt I see them?β
Im Seoyoungβs eyes widened. LJ flatly said,
βYou should tell her to bring you something. It looks sheβs worried youβll faint from a parched throat while talking.β
βThen citron tea.β
βPlease wait a moment. Iβll make it right now.β
Im Seoyoung glared at her.
βAre you not going to ask us? Iβm going to drink all of oppaβs share.β
βWe have water and barley tea.β
βHey!β:
βItβs a joke.β
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,
βHowβs the mood on Good Friends?β
Her large eyes shook like they were struck by an earthquake.
βIt… Itβs good?β
βIs it really? It seems like they are a bit restless with the upcoming restructuring.β
βNo…β
βA bit.β
LJ said.
Surprised, Im Seoyoung couldnβt even shout before slapping LJβs back.
βHey, whatβs wrong? It doesnβt matter if we talk about it now. Heβs already decided to appear on the show.β
βStill…!β
βWe need to discuss this once anyways.β
She looked at me. LJ downed her bottle of water in an instant.
βThe 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 couldnβt ask our manager to do this and commented about how we didnβt have any affection for the program.β
βProducer Choi Byungsoo?β
LJ nodded before adding,
βAbout that producer.β
βHey, stop it! Itβs so embarrassing! What are you going to say now?!β
Im Seoyoung was nervous as she bounced up and down.
βShould I stop?β
I handed her my citron tea and said,
βNo, tell me everything.β
*
Rain sprinkled on my windshield. The white streetlightsβ light diffused through the rain. Sitting in the driverβs seat, I quietly observed at the scene. The incident at the broadcasting company and LJβs words rang in my mind.
βChief Jung!β
A voice broke the silence. Chief Lee Taeshin got in the passengerβs 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.
βIβm sorry. I havenβt found Jae yet. She hasnβt contacted her home. She came to the city during high school with the dream of becoming a singer, so she probably doesnβt 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.β
Saying this, he examined my expression.
It seemed he was worried I would tell him to stop looking for Jung Jae.
βIβm constantly looking around…β
βI guess she might contact you once the article is published.β
βThe article?β
Chief Lee Taeshin quickly looked up.
βYes, please let the goldfish, I mean, members know that they can tell their family.β
βThen…!β
The corners of my lips rose as I said,
βItβs time to start.β
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Korean sauce usually used for Korean BBQ