Chapter 60

PS: A casual collection, a small recommendation, and my bow!

PARK Jiho walked out of LEE Wan-dong's office without looking back. He felt he had done his best, and although DSP Entertainment had helped his song gain popularity on television, his attitude towards DSP today was a complete repayment of their kindness. It was DSP who lacked sincerity, and he could do nothing about it!

Especially their attitude, which was like charity and pity, was something PARK Jiho did not need!

He strode towards the main door of DSP. Just as he was going down the stairs, he met HONG Kyung-ki. PARK Jiho knew that HONG Kyung-ki was the one who had made "MR" debut on "Popular Songs," and it was largely due to HONG Kyung-ki's insistence that "MR" became so popular that day. PARK Jiho was a person who repaid kindness, so despite his disdain for DSP, he did not treat HONG Kyung-ki rudely. Instead, he immediately bowed deeply to greet HONG Kyung-ki!

PARK Jiho's politeness made HONG Kyung-ki feel very warm-hearted. He appreciated PARK Jiho's manners, because if it were any other young person, they would be at their most elated moment. Seeing PARK Jiho's unhappy face, he knew that he must have already discussed the copyright issue with DSP. He knew that LEE Wan-dong must have firmly repeated the ridiculous so-called benefits of LEE Yeon-ho without missing a word!

If he were PARK Jiho, he would be furious. It was like being treated like a fool, and no one could be happy about it. Despite this, PARK Jiho could still maintain his humility and bow politely to him. Such a young person could not help but make HONG Kyung-ki like him!

"Was it about the copyright issue?" HONG Kyung-ki asked, looking at the bowing PARK Jiho.

PARK Jiho straightened up and nodded, "Yes... Actually, I really hope DSP Entertainment could buy back the usage rights of 'MR.' After all, this song was tailor-made for KARA. So I came today, but I waited for about two and a half hours at DSP before someone finally talked to me about the copyright issue. Unfortunately, I only received contempt and ridicule. I am very sorry, but I may not be able to sell any usage rights of 'MR' to DSP."

"What... You waited for two and a half hours at DSP before someone talked to you about the copyright issue?" HONG Kyung-ki was shocked. This was completely disrespectful. HONG Kyung-ki could not imagine when DSP, one of the four major entertainment companies in Korea, had become like this. DSP was living off its past reputation, with no innovation. Now, they had finally met a talented songwriter, and they treated him like this. It was like digging their own grave. HONG Kyung-ki pulled PARK Jiho's hand and said, "Come with me." He then led PARK Jiho to his office and said, "Jiho, give me half an hour, and I will give you an answer. No matter what the final result is, I, HONG Kyung-ki, owe you a favor. If you need anything in the future, I will help you, okay?"

PARK Jiho was surprised. He did not expect HONG Kyung-ki to be willing to owe him a favor just to help him. Although HONG Kyung-ki's intention was still to help DSP, he had indeed helped PARK Jiho, which made PARK Jiho feel a bit warm inside.

PARK Jiho nodded, and seeing him nod, HONG Kyung-ki immediately started making phone calls.

...

After HONG Kyung-ki finished his call, it did not take more than half an hour for a man in his fifties to walk into HONG Kyung-ki's office. He asked, "Kyung-ki, is this PARK Jiho, the original creator of 'MR' in our company?"

HONG Kyung-ki smiled and nodded, "Yes!" Then he smiled at PARK Jiho and said, "Jiho, this is KIM Yong-sik, the largest shareholder and a board member of DSP."

PARK Jiho, who respected his elders, immediately stood up from the sofa and bowed deeply, "Hello, I am PARK Jiho!"

KIM Yong-sik nodded in response to PARK Jiho's politeness and apologized, "I am very sorry, Mr. PARK, for the way DSP has treated you. I sincerely apologize for this!" He then immediately bowed to PARK Jiho.

This surprised PARK Jiho, and he waved his hands, saying it was not necessary.

KIM Yong-sik then smiled and invited PARK Jiho to sit down, and said to a staff member outside, "Please immediately bring LEE Wan-dong here."

"Yes...!" The staff member outside responded and immediately left.

As KIM Yong-sik comforted him, LEE Wan-dong finally rushed in. Seeing KIM Yong-sik, LEE Wan-dong immediately bowed deeply, "Board Member KIM, hello!" Although LEE Wan-dong was arrogant in DSP, he still feared KIM Yong-sik, the largest shareholder.

Looking at LEE Wan-dong, KIM Yong-sik said sternly, "Assistant LEE, I hope you will immediately apologize to Mr. PARK Jiho for your rudeness this afternoon."

"What...?" LEE Wan-dong was surprised, "You want me to apologize to a nobody rookie?"

This made KIM Yong-sik very angry. Looking at LEE Wan-dong, he almost shouted, "LEE Wan-dong, please watch your words. Mr. PARK Jiho is the best original songwriter in our company. Your attitude is too unreasonable. Now, immediately apologize to Mr. PARK Jiho, and then immediately resign from your position as assistant to the president and start as a staff member in the music production department. Otherwise, I will immediately have the board fire you."

"Board Member KIM, you can't do this, my uncle is LEE Yeon-ho!" LEE Wan-dong immediately panicked and brought up LEE Yeon-ho.

However, KIM Yong-sik was firm, "I am the largest shareholder of DSP. No matter who your uncle is, if you do not apologize, you must leave."

KIM Yong-sik's firmness shocked LEE Wan-dong. He knew that he was not a rich second generation and that he could only wield power in DSP by relying on LEE Yeon-ho. If he left DSP, he would be nothing. Although he was a bit foolish, he knew his place. So he knew he absolutely could not leave DSP, even if it meant a demotion. After a minute of silence, LEE Wan-dong lowered his proud head and said to PARK Jiho, "I am sorry, Mr. PARK Jiho. Please forgive my ignorance. I hope you can be magnanimous. If you are still unsatisfied, I can kneel to you, just give me a chance!" He then prepared to kneel.

However, PARK Jiho would not let him kneel, as it would ruin his reputation. So when he saw LEE Wan-dong about to kneel, he quickly moved aside. Since the other party had knelt, PARK Jiho remained humble, as he had not accepted the other party's kneeling.

PARK Jiho finally waved his hand, indicating that the matter was over. In fact, it was not necessary, as he was still a rookie.

Seeing that PARK Jiho was not angry, KIM Yong-sik and HONG Kyung-ki smiled at each other.

...

(Here, let me explain the difference between usage rights and copyright. PARK Jiho always talked about usage rights, but the people at DSP talked about copyright. This is because PARK Jiho would not sell the copyright of "MR," as only a fool would do that. DSP, on the other hand, wanted to buy all the rights from PARK Jiho. So both sides were speaking their own minds, stating their positions.)

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