Chapter 44

The next day, at Tempest Entertainment.

I passed through the main gate and headed towards the studio.

“I’m nervous.”

A meeting with the Asia branch manager of Disney Play.

It’s been a while since I’ve met someone so high up.

“Oh, I saw the CEO not long ago.”

Creak—

I opened the door to my studio, room 506 of the Tempest building.

Soon, Hyoju, who had arrived early as usual, greeted me.

“Brother, you’re here?”

“Yeah.”

“Do you know that the script reading for the next work is coming up soon?”

“Of course I do.”

I even sent messages to the lead actors about it.

Recalling the performances of the main characters in the dramas I’ve seen.

“The final episode of Pure Macho had a 17% viewership rating….”

“Yeah.”

“Ah! But do you know this?”

Hyoju seemed to have a lot to say this morning.

She’s friendly with the employees in the company and is well-informed.

“Our company… might merge with Lotem soon!”

“…No way.”

What kind of fresh nonsense is this?

“It’s true! That’s what I’ve been hearing lately!”

“…No, it’s not.”

They just had a dinner meeting, that’s all. Who started this rumor?

“Did you start this rumor?”

“Me? No way!”

“…Hyoju.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t you have too much free time these days?”

“…”

The usual job of an assistant writer is to do research.

With the system in place, it’s not a significant support for me.

“Enjoy it while you can. If I tell you to go to Somalia later, you have to come.”

“Huh? What kind of joke is that….”

At first glance, Hyoju’s outfit looked quite fancy.

I wondered where she heard about the CEO having dinner with another company’s president.

“Was it Team Leader Byun who told you?”

“Yes.”

“Is everything going well?”

“It was the third date.”

“…”

Did she come here to work or to date?

‘It’s a good time.’

Just by cultivating her romantic cells, it’s a luxury she couldn’t have imagined when working under Minju.

* * *

A modern room restaurant with soft music playing.

Various LP records were displayed and available for purchase.

Creak—

CEO Jung Kitae opened the door and greeted the person entering.

The head of Lotem Entertainment, CEO Lee Jiwook.

“I didn’t expect you to contact me first.”

“I’m getting old too. Sometimes I miss the old days.”

“Hmm, this restaurant….”

“Yeah. We used to come here a lot.”

Soon, an employee brought two cups of tea.

Lee Jiwook of Lotem Entertainment listened to CEO Jung Kitae’s words and thought deeply.

“So… you called me for a reason?”

“Sure, but I also wanted to see you. Kim Jinwoo is quite popular these days.”

“Well, that’s true, but… I need to hear Seo Ae’s opinion first.”

“Don’t feel too pressured.”

“What pressure?”

Of course, I can’t refuse here, but it’s a proposal that will inevitably fail.

Honestly, no matter how popular a writer is, they’re in a completely different league from Yoo Seoae.

Even if it were a 37% viewership rating, not 17%, it would be the same.

“Oh! That’s right.”

At that moment, CEO Lee Jiwook remembered something he needed to say.

“I forgot to mention it earlier.”

“Huh? What…?”

He originally intended to say it right away but forgot after receiving an unexpected proposal.

He needed to mention that an unexpected guest might come today.

“Sorry, I couldn’t tell you earlier because I wasn’t sure about the schedule….”

“Huh?”

At that moment,

“Squeal!!”

“Yoo Seoae!!!”

“Sister─!”

A commotion broke out in the quiet room restaurant.

Some people were shouting from the next room.

“…I’m a step too late.”

Knock, knock—

Then, the door opened, and someone entered.

Creak—

Behind her, many people were watching curiously.

Most of them couldn’t take their eyes off her until the door closed.

“Hello, CEO Jung Kitae.”

“Hehe. I’m meeting some distinguished guests today.”

He didn’t expect to meet Yoo Seoae after an old acquaintance.

‘Maybe it’s for the best.’

At that moment, CEO Lee Jiwook of Lotem Entertainment asked her a question.

“Seoae, why was there such a noise from the next room…?”

“I went into the wrong room.”

“…Where’s your manager?”

“He’s waiting outside. I can’t stay long either.”

“Do you have a schedule with JTBS today?”

“No, it’s been postponed to tomorrow.”

“Oh, I see.”

“Yes.”

Actually, Yoo Seoae came to greet him briefly.

She planned to stop by for a short time on her way to a schedule.

“I was just talking about you, Seoae.”

“Me?”

“Kim Jinwoo wants to meet you.”

“Kim Jinwoo?!”

“Yes. Since your schedule is full, I’ll politely decline this time and….”

“I’m interested.”

“What?”

“I found the script interesting.”

“…That’s not the issue.”

“Well, if the CEO doesn’t like it, I won’t do it.”

“Ah… um.”

CEO Lee Jiwook of Lotem Entertainment glanced at CEO Jung Kitae.

Deciding to act in a drama requires a lot of consideration.

‘If it’s just a meeting…’

He didn’t want to ruin the relationship he had built with CEO Jung Kitae over a trivial matter.

“Let’s set up a meeting, then. Brother.”

“Good.”

CEO Jung Kitae smiled slightly and looked at CEO Lee Jiwook.

* * *

I took the elevator to the upper floor.

Knock, knock—

I went to the Strategic Planning Department and knocked on the director’s office door.

A voice from inside, Director Jung Saerom’s, responded.

“Come in.”

The Asia branch manager of Disney Play, a significant figure, was visiting Tempest Entertainment.

“Mr. Kim, you’re here?”

“Yes.”

Originally, they planned to meet outside, but the other party said the location didn’t matter.

“They’re almost here.”

“Ah, really?”

Soon, Saerom asked a curious question.

“I heard from the CEO.”

“Yes?”

“He asked me to set up a meeting with Yoo Seoae.”

“Yes. Well, I’ve written up to 14 episodes, so I need to prepare.”

“…You don’t plan to rest, do you?”

I want to rest too!

But what if I refuse the system’s assignment?

I can’t predict what will happen.

“Honestly, I can’t guarantee Yoo Seoae.”

“Probably not.”

“Yes. It’s different from casting a new actor with just one meeting.”

“I understand.”

At that moment,

Knock, knock—

Team Leader Byun brought the guests.

“Director, the Disney Play team has arrived.”

“Yes. Come in.”

Creak—

The door opened, and two foreigners, a man and a woman, appeared behind Team Leader Byun.

‘Wow. At such a young age?’

The man looked to be in his late 30s.

To be in charge of a major platform’s Asia branch at that age.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Angela.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Director Jung Saerom. This is Mr. Kim Jinwoo.”

“Ah, yes. Hello, I’m Kim Jinwoo.”

The blue-eyed foreign woman greeted in fluent Korean.

Her eyes widened as she listened to her.

“I oversee the Disney Play Asia branch.”

“…Not the other person?”

“Yes. I requested this meeting, Mr. Kim Jinwoo.”

“Hmm….”

I knew it was a prejudice, but I naturally assumed the older person would be the superior.

“Shall we get down to business?”

“We’re good. Hehe.”

She answered casually, smiling.

It was quite different from what I expected.

Director Jung Saerom received the contract from Angela.

The main point was the purchase of the rights to two works.

“Pure Macho and The Regressor, both works?”

“Yes.”

As Director Jung Saerom read the contract, her expression changed.

She thought deeply about the conditions and then spoke to Angela.

“The conditions are quite good?”

“Yes. I wanted to show our sincerity.”

“…Actually, we planned to have a light meeting today.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Indeed, Director Jung Saerom had no intention of finalizing the contract today.

Even if they brought better conditions, it probably wouldn’t have changed.

Part of the purpose was to gauge Netflix’s reaction.

However, Angela revealed her true intentions with a meaningful statement.

“There’s a common trait among major platforms.”

“Yes?”

“They don’t easily change their conditions once decided.”

“…”

Though she didn’t say it explicitly, it was aimed at Netflix.

Moreover, Angela didn’t stop there and asked for my opinion.

“Mr. Kim Jinwoo.”

“Yes?”

“I want to hear your opinion too.”

“Me?”

Does my opinion matter?

Once the script fee is paid, the production company has the rights.

However, Angela made an unexpected proposal.

“I want to secure the rights to your next work exclusively for Disney Play.”

“Next work? But my next work is with KBC….”

“No, the one after that.”

What’s the rush?

I want to know what my next work is too.

“Do you know what the work will be?”

“Of course, we need to discuss it after seeing the work. Please take your time to consider it. Hehe.”

What kind of laugh is that?

“Well, if not, we’re interested in the work after that. We have plenty of time.”

“Hmm… I’ll think about it.”

“You won’t regret it.”

In the end, the meeting with Angela concluded at this point.

It would depend on the conditions Netflix offers.

“We’ll contact you soon about the Pure Macho contract.”

“Yes, Director Jung Saerom.”

The two women shook hands with smiling faces.

Soon, the foreigners left, and Saerom asked me.

“Are you considering the Disney Play exclusive deal?”

“I’m not sure.”

An exclusive deal with a video platform is a huge opportunity personally.

“If you want, we’ll support you as much as possible as a production company. However….”

“Yes?”

“It’s not a choice I’d recommend.”

“…”

“Unlike a broadcasting station, if it fails, it will fail completely.”

Whether it’s Netflix or Disney Play, it’s a market with no ceiling and no floor.

“I’ll think about it carefully.”

“Good.”

* * *

A few days later, on the script reading day for “The Regressor.”

I spent the past few days rolling around the living room, pondering deeply.

“Brother, are you okay?”

“Why, what’s wrong?”

“Hmm, you look like you’ve been drinking without actually drinking?”

“Really?”

I tried singing and shouting to relieve stress, but no one gave me the answer.

“Sigh….”

If I knew the genre of my next work, it would be easier.

If a work that fits Disney Play comes up