Chapter 10

Ming Do-hyuk, the advertising genius, Chapter 10

"Hello? It's the company?"

"He said he wants to see the CEO?"

We looked at each other and started running towards the lobby.

But our effort to run down was in vain as an immediate call came from the CEO's secretary.

- Please come to the CEO's office right away.

* * *

Kim Chul-joon, the CEO of Taekang Ad.

He is a representative figure of the first generation of Korean advertising, a salesperson armed with the mindset of an AE to the core.

He was also a man with a tenacious spirit, never letting go once he got a foot in the door.

He boasted an impressive win rate in competitive PTs against other companies, leading Taekang Ad to become the top advertising agency in the country.

To be honest, even when he was the chief copywriter, he was someone I didn't want to meet.

He wasn't openly critical, but he was a boss I didn't want to talk to.

'He only calls Tae Gi-jun, why is he even calling the intern?'

Do-hyuk had no choice but to follow the CEO's call, so he reluctantly entered the CEO's office.

"Hello, Mr. CEO. I'm Tae Gi-jun from Planning Team 1. This is... "

"I know. Intern Ming Do-hyuk. I've heard a lot of good things about you from the CEO of Illera Furniture, Kim Young-seok. Sit down, both of you."

"Hello, I'm Ming Do-hyuk."

Kim Chul-joon glared at him with sharp eyes.

Eyes. Do-hyuk found the man's piercing gaze, which seemed to see through him, uncomfortable.

The burdensome gaze that seemed to look into his soul swept over Do-hyuk from head to toe.

'This has been the same from the beginning, a man whose mind is unreadable, young or old. Wow, but Kim Chul-joon is still a complete youth.'

While inwardly marveling at the young Kim Chul-joon, Do-hyuk received a greeting from Kim Young-seok.

"I had a meeting in this area and thought of Taekang Ad on my way, so I dropped by. I'm not sure if it's impolite to visit without an appointment."

"Not at all, it's good to see you."

He learned that when a client comes, you should go out to meet them in a hurry. From none other than Kim Chul-joon.

He wasn't the type to turn away a client who had come to his doorstep without an appointment.

"In fact, I came because I was curious about Taekang Ad. I wondered how you manage to have such capable interns."

"Thank you for the compliment."

Kim Chul-joon, who didn't know the details of the contact with Illera Furniture, deftly brushed it off.

While continuing the conversation like a slippery eel, an unexpected remark came from Kim Young-seok.

"At first, I only thought about radio, but it didn't suit my personality. I'm considering a major campaign."

"You're planning a full-scale consumer advertising campaign."

"Yes. To be honest, I was planning to gradually expand the market. Currently, we focus on office furniture, but we are targeting the student furniture market."

Indeed, Kim Young-seok had a good sense.

The composition of bookshelves, desks, and chairs is not much different from office furniture. Add a bed, and it becomes a student package. Ultimately, Illera Furniture achieved great success with this strategy.

But already?

It was a few years ahead of the previous life.

Do-hyuk found it difficult to accurately gauge Kim Young-seok's intentions and looked at him carefully.

His brows were furrowed, his eyes sparkled, and a subtle smile spread across his lips.

Is this really the expression Kim Young-seok makes when he approves something?

Kim Young-seok, noticing Do-hyuk's puzzled look, continued.

"Originally, I planned to proceed as a medium to long-term business, but thanks to our intern Ming Do-hyuk, my vision has broadened. I might just go all out."

"Ah, our intern did a great job."

Indeed, it couldn't be anyone but Kim Young-seok.

Listening to a young intern, a college student, and even a newcomer like Do-hyuk, was a sign of an open-minded person. It was a move befitting a CEO known for "innovation and rationality."

Anyway, this is getting bigger and bigger.

"By the way, how much do you plan to budget in total? Including media execution costs."

"Since it's our first ad, how about starting with 10 billion won?"

10 billion won. It was a large budget at the time, and for a first ad.

It would be the highest promotional budget for Illera Furniture since its founding.

Kim Chul-joon rubbed his chin and confirmed the final matter. The most important part.

Whether this commission was exclusive or not.

"By any chance, do you plan to involve other companies in a competitive PT?"

"I value relationships. I don't do competitive bidding."

"You're straightforward. We will do our best to live up to your trust."

"I'll entrust it to you, so please give a good presentation. I hear you can even bring back the retired voice actor Han Jin-sung."

"Of course, we'll do our best."

Indeed, Kim Young-seok is not an ordinary person.

He nailed it in front of the CEO even before the casting of Han Jin-sung was confirmed.

"Then you two, go out. You need to prepare for the PT. Get it done."

"Yes, I understand."

Sighing inwardly, the two left the CEO's office.

Leaving behind Kim Chul-joon and Kim Young-seok, who were still laughing heartily.

As soon as Tae Gi-jun stepped into the hallway, he pulled at his hair.

"Really, I'm going to die. Did you hear that? He's talking as if the casting of voice actor Han Jin-sung is already confirmed."

"If this falls through, the 10 billion won campaign will be ruined, and I'll become a washout, right?"

"Hey, Ming Do-hyuk! Don't talk like that!"

That's how a 100,000 won product ad turned into a 10 billion won campaign, and Do-hyuk faced a bitter weekend.

It was his first holiday since joining the company.

* * *

'Whether it's an intern or a CEO, working without a break, when will this get better?'

Do-hyuk grumbled and turned off the alarm that rang at exactly 7:00 AM.

"Come out to the company tomorrow at 8:00 AM. We need to go to the field. I'll treat you to a big meal if I see you do well."

Tae Gi-jun's voice, which he had hammered in on the way home on Friday, echoed in his ears.

Well, in this regression to the past, it's impossible to expect welfare.

It was an era when companies had Saturday work.

But even a decade later, there wasn't much improvement in corporate culture, so he gave up on it.

Ming Do-hyuk had been working overtime until the day before he was laid off.

As he was about to leave with his belongings, he met Myung Hyun-jin, who was coming out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee.

"Intern! Are you going to the company today? What's with that outfit? Get lost."

"I'm not getting lost, so I'm going to the company even on weekends. You sound like a boss, even though you're a new employee, you old fogey."

"You'd be happy if you became the CEO of CBC Broadcasting."

Myung Hyun-jin had just started working as a PD at CBC Broadcasting.

She was a stickler from the start.

Putting on his sneakers, he heard her sharp voice behind him.

"Hey, Ming Do-hyuk! Don't look at me like that. If you were my junior, you'd be dead!"

Well, he would have been.

A friend of Do-hyuk's who worked under Myung Hyun-jin couldn't last a year and quit.

It was said that he suffered from neurasthenia while working as an assistant director on a program where she was a PD.

'And that's not all. That guy's temper, oh.'

Do-hyuk's father, who bought ten thank-you cards for his brother-in-law when Myung Hyun-jin got married, and Do-hyuk himself, had to clean up the mess at home.

How grateful and sorry he felt.

Thinking of this, he smiled to himself.

When he arrived at the company, he laughed even harder.

Tae Gi-jun, dressed from head to toe in golf attire, looked ridiculous.

"Isn't this outfit a bit much?"

"A bit, right? I can't play golf, so I have to show some effort."

"People will think you're a coach. Have you ever played before?"

"Never. I should learn, but I don't have the time. Is it that strange?"

It would be good to learn. Tae Gi-jun is now a manager but will become the head of the planning department in the future.

'How can I get entangled in such a bad relationship even after being reborn?' he muttered to himself, then paused.

'Is it really a bad relationship?'

When he squeezed copywriters and designers mercilessly, Tae Gi-jun looked like a demon. But upon closer observation, he wasn't that bad.

He just pressured the production department because he was passionate about planning and advertising. He was a perceptive and diligent AE.

Honestly, in this life, he was considering trusting Tae Gi-jun and working as an AE.

While sorting out his complicated feelings about the connections from his past and present life, the car entered a golf course in Gyeonggi Province.

"Hey! Ming Pro, over here!"

Hearing Han Jin-sung's voice filled with expectation, Do-hyuk spent the entire weekend following him around the field and practice range.

And finally, he got a definite answer from him.

"It's not like my voice will wear out from one more recording. I'll only do Illera Furniture. I have a face to save with CEO Kim Chul-joon."

"Thank you very much. We will do our best to ensure that this is not a blemish on our last work. By the way, can I add a little more?"

"Go ahead. Is there another option?"

"It's not about the ad, but if you decide to focus on golf, don't start a business."

"What? I haven't even considered starting a business."

"I can read faces a bit, and I think you'll be tempted. It's best not to start a business."

"Oh, you young man has many talents. I'll remember that."

He tried to dissuade him from starting a business, even making up a white lie about reading faces.

As a token of gratitude for accepting the casting despite being retired.

He thought this was enough, but it seemed only he thought so.

"I'll add one more thing. Please come to the field with me for a while. I'm asking you earnestly."

Thus, intern Ming Do-hyuk's weekend was completely obliterated.

* * *

After the casting of voice actor Han Jin-sung, a short break was given.

A sweet weekday holiday for all the internships.

It was only one day, but Do-hyuk had no time to rest.

He had to take care of school matters.

According to his research, transferring to the Advertising and Public Relations department was not difficult.

His grades were good before enlisting, and he was confident about the interview.

After submitting the transfer application to the department office, he was given an interview schedule.

Having quickly finished his business, Do-hyuk's footsteps headed towards the student union building.

"Wow, it's still the same."

A brick building in a slightly secluded area.

Crowds of students, posters for student council and club promotions, and a clock tower standing alone.

This was the student union building where clubs gathered.

-AdPoint

Seeing the familiar sign, he felt a new sense of nostalgia.

AdPoint, the advertising club located on this floor.

The place where Do-hyuk first encountered advertising and nurtured his dream of becoming a copywriter.

And the place where he met 'him.'

Do-hyuk ran his fingertips over the AdPoint sign and indulged in his emotions.

"What are you doing? Oh! Do-hyuk!"

"Oh! Senior!!!"

"Man, you should have reported to your senior as soon as you were discharged. The discipline of AdPoint is all gone. Come in!"

Turning his head at the familiar voice, it had been so long. Senior Cha Hyun-woo.

Do-hyuk couldn't hide his excited look.

In front of him stood the future advertising genius of Korea, Cha Hyun-woo.