Chapter 17

This meal was supposed to be for building relationships, but in reality, it was just a chance to meet each other. Song Shizai's Korean wasn't very good, and Bai Jieqian could only manage a few phrases. How could they communicate? At the table, it was mainly Li Jingming and Kim C discussing the MV.

Kim C had a dictatorial style, controlling everything from the outline to the details, disliking others' interference. He often prepared everything meticulously and then asked others to follow his ideas. Li Jingming, on the other hand, was the type who cared only about the results, not the process. He would make big decisions, but once a goal was set, it had to be achieved. This didn't mean Li Jingming was indifferent; big decisions were the most important and tested one's ideas. To realize these ideas, knowing how to use people well was also a necessary skill.

For the MV, Kim C already had a preliminary idea: a tragic love story.

The male protagonist was a PD at a TV station, and the female protagonist was a new staff member on the set. The male protagonist discovered the female protagonist's charm unintentionally while editing the footage, and the female protagonist developed feelings for the male protagonist during her work. They began to secretly communicate in the crowd on the set, with a subtle默契 and hidden interactions, pure and beautiful. As their love grew sweeter, the female protagonist fell ill, not with a cold or fever, but with a terminal illness due to excessive consumption of unhealthy pickled foods. As she lay on her deathbed, she decisively let go of the love, hiding the truth. Years later, when the male protagonist's children were old enough to help with chores, he learned the truth and wept bitterly.

The Korean concept that the more tragic a love story, the more beautiful it is, can be seen in Kim Ha-ri's "Chrysanthemum Fragrance," which made Luoyang paper scarce. Kim C's MV wasn't particularly creative, but it was very fitting to the song. If shot well, it would definitely be an excellent work. Li Jingming wasn't an expert in this area, so the best choice was to leave it to professionals. Kim C asked Li Jingming to act in the MV, believing that since it was his work (Li Jingming's face turned red again), Li Jingming had an excellent image and a deep understanding of the song, making him the perfect choice for the male lead. Singers, unless they were too rugged-looking, generally wouldn't let others play the lead in their MVs. However, Li Jingming was worried he wouldn't have enough time, as he had many things to do. The MV might seem simple, but according to Kim C's plan, it wouldn't be a four or five-minute MV; it might exceed ten minutes, with a lot of shooting required, and whether it could be completed in a day was uncertain.

After Li Jingming gritted his teeth and agreed to act, the two had a disagreement over the female lead. Kim C insisted on finding a seasoned actress, while Li Jingming wanted to use a newcomer. Kim C believed only an experienced actress could perfectly convey the story's essence, while newcomers often served as mere decorations, suitable for MVs without a plot but not for those requiring acting. Li Jingming had his own considerations: makeup could enhance appearance, and his acting was professional. If the female lead's acting was too outstanding, he wouldn't be overshadowed, but the MV would become a two-person show. "Confession" was a man's inner monologue, a belated sigh. If the female part in the MV was too prominent, it might not fit the song.

Li Jingming wasn't worried about whether these actresses would come; in Korea, there was no actress he couldn't invite. If a woman's beauty were described using idioms, there would be many choices, such as "sinking fish and falling geese," "unparalleled beauty," "dazzling," and "nao mu yi bo" (a Korean term for extremely beautiful, a playful word). But the most direct idiom was "Luoyang paper scarce." Since this woman debuted, toilet paper prices in Seoul had risen. Kim Tae-hee was such a "Luoyang paper scarce" woman. Her father was a transport tycoon, and her family background was excellent, making it unlikely she would compromise. Her status made it unrealistic for her to act in an MV. However, in Korea, no transport tycoon was bigger than the Hanjin Group. If Li Jingming asked his grandmother to speak, the Zhao family could easily get Kim Tae-hee to act in the MV.

While Kim C was fantasizing about the "Luoyang paper scarce" plot meeting a "Luoyang paper scarce" actress, Li Jingming was watching the entrance. Four young girls had just walked in. They weren't necessarily younger than Li Jingming, but his middle-aged mindset categorized most young women as "young."

"Da-Yuan, how about that one?" Li Jingming gestured to the four girls, one of whom was very pretty, with a quiet and elegant demeanor and a hint of innocence. Li Jingming thought she would be perfect for the MV, and the mole on her nose added a touch of cuteness to her serene aura. He mentioned it casually, but Kim C took it seriously.

Kim C frowned and studied the girl. She wasn't stunning at first glance but grew more appealing the more he looked. She was a perfect fit for the MV he had in mind. Originally, Kim C had wanted to cast Bae Doo-na, a self-assured yet innocent actress with excellent acting skills. However, Bae Doo-na was a senior actress, and Kim C wasn't sure if she would agree to act in the MV. In terms of image, this girl was even more suitable.

The four girls noticed the group at the table staring at them and tried to avoid eye contact. One of them said to the prettiest one, "Ji-hyeon, someone is staring at you."

"Of course, our Ji-hyeon is so beautiful and has a face that's a hit. She's been in many photo shoots," another girl said, with a hint of jealousy. In Korea, "face that's a hit" wasn't just about having a few photos online; it was a title earned through voting, often leading to a guaranteed debut. Outstanding "face that's a hit" girls often appeared in MVs, magazines, and even commercials. Kara's popular member Goo Hara was a "face that's a hit," and Park Shin-hye, who gained fame after "19 Years of Innocence," also started as a "face that's a hit."

"But that uncle's gaze is so creepy," the last girl added.

The girl named Ji-hyeon was shy and didn't say anything.

Kim C, in his thirties, found it frustrating to be called "uncle" by girls in their twenties. However, to anyone looking, the scene at the table seemed like uncles dining with their nephews.

"Would you be interested in auditioning for our MV?" Kim C was very serious about his work. When he learned the girl was a "face that's a hit," he gained confidence in her professionalism. While "face that's a hit" girls weren't specifically trained, they had a good image and some acting experience.

"Ah?" Ji-hyeon looked at Kim C with suspicion. Today, Kim C had dressed up for Li Jingming's company, but the heat of summer made him take off his shirt, leaving him in a tank top, khaki shorts, and loafers. His messy hair and distinctive beard made him look like an unsuccessful con artist.

Seeing her expression, Kim C was about to lose his temper. He was an artist, free-spirited and unconventional. Why did she look at him with such a mix of doubt and pity?

"Da-Yuan, let me handle this," Li Jingming quickly intervened. "Hello, we are preparing to shoot an MV. We're here for a meal. This is the famous musician Kim C. Do you know him?"

Ji-hyeon recognized him by his name and the distinctive eyebrow piercing. He really was Kim C, her senior. She quickly bowed and apologized, "I'm sorry, senior. I didn't mean to be rude. I'm actually your fan..."

Her behavior had been impolite, especially in the entertainment industry, where seniority was strictly observed. If she offended him, it could ruin her career. Kim C, a renowned music producer, could easily make her life difficult, and she aspired to be a singer.

"Senior?" Kim C knew she was in the industry, as only insiders would call him "senior." As for being a fan, he took it as a polite greeting. He quickly put on a serious demeanor, "What's your name?"

This wasn't Kim C being arrogant or seeking revenge; it was the industry's rule. To establish his authority as the MV's director, he needed to assert his position.

"My name is Lee Ji-hyeon, born in 1986. I'm a CCM trainee," Ji-hyeon introduced herself formally.

"Have you had any acting experience?" Kim C asked, considering whether to reconsider if she hadn't.

Ji-hyeon replied, "Not yet."

Kim C's disappointment was evident, but she quickly added, "But I'm studying drama at Myongji University, and I'm confident in my acting skills." Opportunities were for the prepared, and in Korea's competitive environment, one had to seize every chance.

"Is that so? Hmm..." Kim C hesitated, "Come to LAD Company at XX Street, XX, Cheongdam-dong tomorrow morning. I'll give you a chance. Before 9 AM, is that okay?"

Kim C decided to stay at Li Jingming's place for a while. LAD's equipment was much better than their Hot Potato's, so he asked her to come to LAD. Li Jingming had a free day tomorrow, as he had mentioned to Kim C, so there was no need to check his schedule.

"Sure, no problem." For Ji-hyeon, who had only done photo shoots, participating in an MV would be a valuable asset for her future career in the music industry. Kim C was known for his quality work, and this opportunity to gain experience and network was rare, so she immediately agreed.

"Do you need us to contact your agency?" Kim C asked, wanting to be thorough. If they agreed to collaborate, it was best to be considerate. "No, I'll report back, and my agency will contact you."

Trainee contracts were flexible, with no profit-sharing. Agencies were happy when trainees found work on their own. If they started exploiting trainees, no one would join. Agencies often helped soon-to-debut trainees find MV roles to build their popularity. Kim C asked just to be safe, ensuring there were no agency rules or agreements.

Kim C was well-known, and his reputation and image were well-established. There was no way he would set a trap for her.

"That's good. Let me introduce you to this gentleman, Li Jingming." Kim C mainly introduced Li Jingming, passing over the others who didn't speak Korean well. Bai Jieqian and Song Shizai couldn't even introduce themselves and looked at Kim C with resentment.

"Hello, I'm Li Jingming, also born in 1986," Li Jingming smiled and nodded. In Korea, when meeting someone, the first step was to establish age, a process called "organizing the family tree."

"Hello, I'm Lee Ji-hyeon, a CCM trainee." Ji-hyeon was a bit reserved. In the entertainment industry, being open was essential for recognition, but in Ji-hyeon's case, her shyness added a charming, demure quality. Beauty had its privileges.

Eating together would be a bit awkward, as it was their first meeting, and they couldn't sit together directly. Since they had agreed to collaborate, the best option was to leave. So, Li Jingming's group left.

Bai Jieqian hadn't eaten enough. At home, his mother, Situ, was very strict, forbidding many foods, especially barbecues. Today, he finally had his fill and was reluctant to leave. Li Jingming used his trump card, whispering that the girls were watching. Bai Jieqian immediately wiped his mouth, smiled politely, and left, even flicking his hair as he went.

Li Jingming returned to his LK. As soon as he entered, he saw a girl with a camera taking photos of an open book, with a cup of coffee beside it. The woman was still there? She had been there from 10 AM to 8 PM, ten hours.

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