Chapter 81

# Chapter 081

"That's not entirely accurate, but roughly..."

"Didn't you say earlier that you had the investment funds ready?"

"It's about creating 10 billion in cash. It can't be done quickly. Saying it's ready means the funds are guaranteed to come in..."

"Can you give me an exact date?"

At that point, Hong Jihun also sensed something was off.

Han Gug-in was trying to find something out, and Hong Jihun narrowed his eyes when he realized this.

"Gug-in, your tone seems a bit aggressive, doesn't it?"

"Me?"

"Yeah."

Pointing out someone's tone is a method often used by those in higher positions.

Then, those in lower positions have no choice but to bow their heads.

Because it carries the hidden message, 'Stop talking.'

This example shows how hollow the conversation can be in a hierarchical relationship, and Han Gug-in's courage slightly wavered.

'So, he won't give a direct answer.'

Then, he had to ask in a different way...

"And is that important? What matters is that the money will eventually reach Gug-hun..."

"It's important."

Seong Pil took the baton.

"We are in the early stages of the album plan. This is the time when we need to spend the most money, accurately and quickly. We need to know exactly when the money will come in and when we can use it."

Han Gug-in sighed with relief at Seong Pil's participation.

And he asked Seong Pil as if he had been waiting for it.

"Didn't you say you needed additional funds?"

"Yes. We spent a lot of money this time on selecting songs, lyrics, and choreography, more than we expected."

"That's right. I should have informed Mr. Hong Jihun, the investor of Garo Entertainment, earlier. After the 'Supress' disbandment, Garo Entertainment adopted PBS (Performance Budgeting System) instead of PPBS (Planning Programming Budgeting System). Since the quarter hasn't ended yet, the exact calculations haven't been completed. Therefore, it's difficult to make an accurate estimate, but we have exceeded the budget allocated for various initial plans."

Han Gug-in bowed his head to Hong Jihun.

"Although I am responsible for the company's finances, I apologize sincerely to Mr. Hong Jihun, the investor, for the current situation."

Hong Jihun laughed hollowly, as if he found it absurd.

From his perspective, Garo Entertainment was no different from a hole-in-the-wall shop, so Han Gug-in's apology seemed ridiculous.

"I can't say anything about inefficient management. It's my fault for not properly planning the budget."

"That's the situation. And we also need to produce a music video."

Hong Jihun was left speechless by the two men's soulful back-and-forth.

The meeting room was no longer a place for a conversation between Hong Gug-hun and Hong Jihun, or their family.

"First, the budget allocated for the music video production... Manager Han, it's over 100 million won, right?"

"Yes. The detailed classification of the project hasn't been completed yet..."

"Over 100 million won?!"

Hong Jihun was shocked.

"Over 100 million won for a music video? What kind of money is that?"

"It's not just 100 million won. It could be close to 200 million won. The investment amount and the available funds need to be determined for Garo Entertainment to proceed with the business. So, you need to tell us the investment execution date..."

"No, no, no, that's strange! Gug-hun, isn't that strange?! How can 100 to 200 million won be spent on a music video...!"

"That's the baseline."

Seong Pil answered firmly.

"Everything you see in a music video, from the room and background to the set, is made from scratch. Even if CG is used, it's all manual labor by individuals. It can't be done cheaply. Costumes, makeup, extras, everything you see in a music video costs money."

"But, even so, where does the hundred million won go..."

"There are dozens of staff members involved in producing a music video. They are all skilled professionals. The labor costs are significant. Moreover, it doesn't finish in a day. Yes, that's how it is..."

Seong Pil nodded at Han Gug-in.

Han Gug-in said,

"We must know exactly when the money will come in. That's where the success or failure lies."

"..."

Hong Jihun was waiting.

For what?

'He's waiting for BG Investment to invest in Garo Entertainment. The moment BG Investment takes a 40% stake, my brother will invest in Garo Entertainment to gain a stake.'

If Garo Entertainment only accepts Hong Jihun's investment and rejects BG Investment, Hong Jihun won't be able to take over Garo Entertainment.

'If he doesn't tell us, my brother's intentions will be revealed.'

Indeed, Hong Jihun didn't easily reveal it.

"So, what you're saying is that you want the money to come in as soon as possible?"

"Yes."

"The album plan can be delayed a bit, can't it? I am a company president, but I can't just use the money as I please. I'm very frugal, so I receive a very low salary. Most of the profits are reinvested in the company. So, even if you have assets, there's not much cash, and you need to consider that."

The album production can be delayed.

Hong Jihun's counterattack came.

Han Gug-in had no response. So, he nodded at Seong Pil.

Seong Pil answered.

"That's impossible. You know about music shows, right? There are about seven music shows combined from terrestrial and cable TV. The music show schedules are packed for several months. We need to start promoting now. And the songs and music videos must be released before our trainees appear on the music shows."

The album production cannot be delayed.

Seong Pil straightforwardly countered Hong Jihun's counterattack.

"Then what?"

Hong Jihun's voice dropped as if he was taking off a mask.

"You don't want my investment, right? Why are you so picky? If I give you the money, shouldn't you just say, 'Thank you,' and accept it?"

"All we want is the date when the money will come in. Can you tell us?"

"I don't know."

"Is that so."

That was the end of it.

Han Gug-in had achieved his goal. He only needed to reveal that Hong Jihun's investment plan was 'unclear.'

If he refused to answer so persistently, there must be a corresponding reason.

"Well, if that's the case. What can we do, brother?"

"..."

Hong Jihun tapped his desk with his index finger, as if it was a habit. Then he sighed and stood up with a dignified gesture.

"Let's talk later. I need to check too. When exactly the funds will be ready."

"Ah, I understand."

Hong Gug-hun answered brightly, but Hong Jihun probably wouldn't invest.

Han Gug-in would stubbornly reject BG Investment's additional investment.

And he would also reveal whether they had received some kind of instruction from Hong Jihun.

Garo Entertainment was saved.

But...

'I lost a few billion.'

Han Gug-in looked at Hong Gug-hun with a mix of accomplishment and guilt.

She had been smiling all along as she saw her brother off.

That smile wouldn't last long.

"Thank goodness. Thanks to your help, brother."

After seeing his brother off, Hong Gug-hun brightly smiled and patted Han Gug-in's shoulder.

"Manager Han must have been relieved. You've worked hard up until now."

Han Gug-in had received a few small investments, but they weren't enough to satisfy Hong Gug-hun.

He hadn't been idle.

Receiving investments for a failed company like Garo Entertainment was almost a miracle.

"Manager Han, take a few days off. You don't need to look for more investments now."

"..."

Han Gug-in smiled faintly.

The corners of his mouth were slightly twisted.

* * *

"Manager Park!"

Han Gug-in caught up with Seong Pil as they left the meeting room.

"Can we talk for a moment?"

"Yes."

They entered the reception room.

"How did you know?"

Han Gug-in was still puzzled.

Why did Seong Pil help him? Why did he try to block Hong Jihun's investment?

He couldn't figure it out.

"I don't like equity investments."

"..."

"Just, that?"

"For the past few years, Chinese capital has been flowing into entertainment agencies on a massive scale. Even large agencies are no exception."

20% to 30% equity is common.

There are examples of large agencies being infiltrated by Chinese capital, with over 40% equity.

"Chinese executives come in, and suddenly Chinese members are appointed to groups, and the original members are pushed out. They interfere with the artist's image and so on. I've seen a lot of bad things. They just want to give the money and let it grow on its own."

For agencies, it might have been an unavoidable choice.

They probably believed they could manage the interference from Chinese investment firms well, but reality was different.

They wielded agencies with capital as a weapon.

"I looked at the investment firms Manager Han visited, and none of them were Chinese. If you had gone that route, you would have received a more favorable response. You were wary of that situation, weren't you?"

That was correct.

"Yes, but Mr. Hong Jihun isn't Chinese, is he?"

"I know that too! I just didn't like the idea of a non-professional investor who isn't interested in idols having equity. So, I asked Manager Han for help. It turns out our thoughts were aligned."

Heart-to-heart (以心傳心).

Han Gug-in knew this four-character idiom. But he had never felt it so directly before.

It felt as if a thread connected their hearts, and it resonated.

Was it because they were both managers of the same company?

"Is that so?"

"Yes, that's right."

In fact, Seong Pil had seen the future.

A very terrible future.

'The member lineup was completely changed. Hyang was pushed out, and new members came in. Eventually, Ara couldn't take it and left...'

It was a mess.

Seeing the future where Garo Entertainment lost its human touch, Seong Pil felt like vomiting.

So, he asked Han Gug-in for help.

Coincidentally, Han Gug-in responded to the request.

Or rather, it seemed like he responded.

In reality, they had the same thoughts, but neither knew it.

"Why are you doing this?"

Despite achieving his goal, Han Gug-in's expression wasn't good.

As he bowed his head lower, Seong Pil asked worriedly.

Han Gug-in explained why he tried to stop Hong Jihun's investment.

Since Seong Pil already knew to some extent, he didn't get angry again.

"I don't think my actions were wrong. I will also tell the CEO about Mr. Hong Jihun's plan. But... losing the investment funds..."

Han Gug-in had been under a lot of stress recently.

More pressure than when he was looking for trainees.

Raising investment funds was his main responsibility, and he hadn't achieved any noticeable results in that area.

It was practically impossible.

No one would want to invest in a failed company.

Yet, Han Gug-in couldn't feel relieved about it.

"I feel so useless..."

Seong Pil couldn't respond to Han Gug-in's confession. His despair was deep and wide.

His desire to contribute to the company was so strong that it was eating away at himself.

Seong Pil thought about it.

Thought and thought.

And after much thought, he revealed a long-held idea.

"Manager Han, look at this."

Han Gug-in looked at Seong Pil's phone. As soon as he saw it, his eyes widened.

"This, this is..."

"This is a stock I bought a year ago, and it has risen this much."

1.5 billion won.

He bought it with a bank loan as soon as he returned.

"I was thinking of investing this in Garo Entertainment. Is it possible to do it under someone else's name?"

"Why, why..."

"I like the current relationship. If I invest in Garo Entertainment under my name, I won't be Manager Park anymore; I'll be an investor. The CEO, Manager Han, and everyone will have to watch my every move."

Even Hong Gug-hun, who tried to manage his subordinates.

Even Han Gug-in, who spoke his mind.

Even Son Hye-bin, who had strong opinions.

Even the members with their own voices.

They might suppress themselves in front of the weight of the 1.5 billion won I invested.

I don't want that.

"So, can't we invest as a mysterious investor, or maybe have someone you know pretend to invest?"

"Manager Park..."

"Yes."

Han Gug-in spoke sincerely.

"Don't invest in Garo Entertainment."

"..."

"This is a gamble. A very low-probability gamble. The average global economic growth rate is 1% to 2%. The average return on capital is 5%. Labor income can't catch up with capital income. No matter how