Chapter 7: Advertising Genius Myung Do-hyuk

The situation has escalated.

Since the section chief found out, Tae Gi-jun's face contorted with discomfort.

If things went wrong, he would be blamed for letting the intern's offered bait slip through the fingers of a manager.

Jo Tae-jin left, and Tae Gi-jun, with a complex expression, sipped cold water.

Now, having tormented Tae Gi-jun a bit, he decided to give a briefing.

After all, since I was the one who met the client, I have to share the basics.

"I'll give a briefing based on my impressions. As an intern, just take it as a reference."

"Sure, say something."

"First, the CEO of Illera Furniture, Kim Young-seok, is negative about immediate large-scale consumer advertising."

"Right. It's office furniture, after all. Keep going."

"Since it's specialized in office furniture, he thinks it only needs to appeal to the bosses."

"That's why I found it a bit odd that you're doing radio ads. Bosses usually prefer newspaper or magazine ads."

"But if you select one item to target consumers, what about that? For example, I mentioned chairs."

"Chairs?"

"That's all the conversation I had with Kim Young-seok."

In the future, Illera Furniture will dominate the furniture market with a simple style that combines the practicality of office furniture with consumer-oriented design.

It will also grow into the furniture company that spends the most on advertising in Korea.

'So, you must get this ad, Tae Gi-jun senior.'

Do-hyuk swallowed his words and gathered his bag.

"Hey! Are you really leaving, intern? You need to have some loyalty."

"I have some family matters today. It's a memorial service."

"Hmm, then come to the meeting tomorrow. The person who made the first contact should show their face."

"Understood."

He stood up, using a non-existent memorial service as an excuse.

Tae Gi-jun, unable to stop the intern who claimed to have family matters, frowned.

He pressed his temples, as if in pain, and tilted his head.

It was exactly the expression he used to make when receiving a briefing from Do-hyuk.

Do-hyuk felt as if a decade-old indigestion had been cleared and added:

"Looks like a good plan, Tae. I think the proposal will come out smoothly."

He turned and left, leaving Tae Gi-jun, who would likely toss and turn in agony all night, behind.

His steps were so light that he doubted they could be this light.

He stepped out of the revolving door and looked up at the Taekang Ad building.

The sign of Taekang Ad was lit up.

Seeing the light, Do-hyuk felt a new sense of emotion.

'Really came back. To Taekang Ad, as Myung Do-hyuk from twenty years ago.'

He briefly indulged in his feelings and then entered the convenience store in front of the company to buy beer.

To celebrate his return.

He decided to enjoy his secret alone.

The second chance in life, often spoken of as a joke.

He moved his steps, reflecting on the blessing that only he could share.

The first sip of beer was so refreshing, it was a warm summer night.

* * *

The next day, not many interns succeeded in the gift card mission.

A quick glance at the submitted contracts showed that out of fifty, only a few dozen succeeded, and the rest failed.

Of course, Han Su-cheol, who lived and died by his perseverance, returned after securing a gift card ad.

"I was out until ten last night. I thought I was going to die."

"But you succeeded."

"Ultimately, I asked my father. He has a friend in the franchise business. Where did you do your sales?"

"I went to Illera Furniture."

"Furniture?"

Han Su-cheol, who was about to ask various questions with wide eyes, suddenly closed his mouth.

The door slammed open, and Tae Gi-jun entered, looking haggard.

His tie was half undone, and his hair was a mess, clearly having stayed up all night.

His face, crumpled like a squeezed rag, was pitiful.

His appearance was exactly like Do-hyuk's before his return, and he barely suppressed a laugh.

He threw his diary on the table and pointed to the intern at the back.

"Bring the contracts that are piled up over there."

"Yes, understood, Manager."

The man at the back stood up and collected the contracts.

Tae Gi-jun checked them and looked around the meeting room, shouting loudly.

"Everyone has worked hard. Among the interns, someone succeeded in two program contract ads. It's my junior, Kim Min-su!"

"Sir!"

Kim Min-su, who was sitting with a sharp posture, stood up.

Applause erupted around him.

His face, having achieved good results in the practical mission, was full of pride.

'Kim Min-su?'

Familiar with the name, Do-hyuk's senses became sensitive.

He had heard the name but couldn't remember it.

If he's Tae Gi-jun's junior, he must be from S University. Who is he?

Even after examining the man's face, he couldn't recall.

Except for his slanted eyes, he had a rather ordinary appearance.

Was he a competitor's employee? An external contractor? He had met so many people during his career, and sometimes he only knew their names from documents.

Wait, could it be?

An old, annoying incident flashed through his mind.

Before he could sort out his thoughts, Tae Gi-jun slapped the table with his palm.

"Quiet, quiet! Everyone, pay attention again. Kim Min-su did well, but the winner of this mission is someone else. Myung Do-hyuk, stand up!"

What, do I have to stand up like a primary school student?

Do-hyuk reluctantly stood up, and Kim Min-su's face contorted mercilessly.

He must have thought he would definitely be the top in the mission.

'How can you survive in the real world with your feelings so clearly written on your face?'

Do-hyuk hadn't done anything wrong, but Kim Min-su glared at him with all his might.

Ignoring it, he stood up and bowed.

Tae Gi-jun continued explaining Do-hyuk's achievements.

"Myung Do-hyuk secured five program gift card ads in this mission. He also proposed a radio CM plan to the same client, proactively."

"Wow~"

The interns' gazes, which had been buzzing, focused on Do-hyuk.

Especially Han Su-cheol, who looked up at Do-hyuk in surprise.

Unlike Kim Min-su, his admiration was not tinged with suspicion.

Seeing his kind eyes, which Do-hyuk had liked, after a long time, he felt very happy.

"Alright. Myung Do-hyuk, sit down. As expected, a few who couldn't secure contracts didn't even show up today. With that mentality, they can't survive in this field. It's better this way. If they're going to quit, they might as well leave quickly."

"..."

The interns, who had confirmed that several had already dropped out, murmured.

"I applied for copywriting, I'm going to be a designer. I heard several went home saying things like that. Sales aren't just for AEs. I'm not saying this because I'm an AE."

"Yes..."

How many of the interns would understand Tae Gi-jun's words?

Advertising is ultimately about selling something. Planning, promoting, and selling products.

Understanding sales is one of the most important values that bridges the planning and production teams.

Do-hyuk nodded and waited for Tae Gi-jun's next words.

But at that moment, the media team's PPL (Product Placement) manager came in to express his gratitude.

"To be honest, I didn't expect the college interns to do so well in selling gift cards. You're amazing."

"No, sir!"

"We'll place them in good programs and proceed well. We'll make sure your efforts don't go to waste. Thank you all."

As soon as the media team manager finished speaking, Tae Gi-jun called Do-hyuk.

"From now on, the media team will provide training. Interns, listen well. Myung Do-hyuk, follow me."

* * *

Tae Gi-jun took Do-hyuk to the passenger seat of his car, saying they were going to the Illera Furniture meeting.

He then threw a document envelope at Do-hyuk as soon as he sat down.

"Read the proposal on the way. What do you think?"

Do-hyuk opened the envelope, feeling like he was the client.

His proposal was clean and neat.

He couldn't help but smile after flipping through a few pages.

'Oh, Tae Gi-jun, I thought you only knew how to be stubborn, but you're still alive.'

He couldn't deny it, even though he found his senior annoying.

Chairs.

Just one word, but he understood the client's intention and came up with a proposal.

The proposal was almost in line with the concept Do-hyuk had initially thought of.

Even the quality of the CM song copy, created in just one day, was impressive.

He didn't know which copywriter had worked all night.

But there were some concerns. We'll see how it goes.

Do-hyuk nodded and closed the proposal.

"Good, senior."

"Really? Do you think it will work with Mr. Kim Young-seok?"

"Yes, I think so."

* * *

As Do-hyuk predicted, Mr. Kim Young-seok was very satisfied.

He was already humming the CM song and adding a melody.

Hmm, he seems to be tone-deaf.

"This feels like a breakthrough in the market already."

"Thank you for your kind words."

"No, really. It's not just flattery; it broadens my perspective. Why didn't I think of large-scale consumer advertising?"

"I think we should run a campaign using various media in the future."

Tae Gi-jun's words were subtly supported by Do-hyuk.

"First, let's raise brand awareness. And when awareness and preference increase, who knows? You might be able to lead the market for home furniture that combines the practicality of office furniture."

One of Mr. Kim Young-seok's eyebrows raised.

With his keen intuition, he couldn't miss the implications of those words.

If things go this way, Illera Furniture might enter the home furniture market years earlier than planned.

Mr. Kim Young-seok is very aggressive. He charges straight ahead.

He could already hear the sound of advertising budgets being allocated.

The meeting continued in a good atmosphere, and the coffee was almost finished.

Finally, the topic Mr. Kim Young-seok had been concerned about came up.

"About the voice actor in the proposal."

"Yes. We will prepare a top-tier voice actor. For example, Kim Jun-su, who is popular these days..."

"No, I want Han Jin-sung as the voice actor."

"Ah, Han Jin-sung is about to retire. We will do our best to find another voice actor who can best represent the brand..."

"No, it has to be someone whose voice is immediately recognizable to the general public."

Tae Gi-jun's explanation, flustered, sped up a bit.

"That's true, but I heard he no longer takes on new projects. Even though his ads are still running, it's been over a year since he recorded anything."

Mr. Kim Young-seok, after a brief silence, leaned back in his chair and looked directly at Tae Gi-jun.

"Tae Gi-jun, in business, there are times when you have to make the impossible possible. In fact, those times are very frequent."

"Yes..."

"Isn't turning the impossible into the possible the real skill?"

"Sir, the CEO..."

"Since it's our first project, why don't we check Taekang Ad's skills?"

At that moment, a bitter memory flashed through Do-hyuk's mind.

'Here it comes. Mr. Kim Young-seok's stubbornness. Tae Gi-jun senior is in trouble.'