"You are clear as to what methodology you will use that's why you are here in Seoul, right? You want to engage into the culture, to understand local media. I think 6 months is not long enough, but I guess your orientation into Korean media and culture had been taken cared of 3 years ago," he chuckled but probably remembered about boundaries, so he stopped and looked apologetically. I just smiled and signaled him to go on.
"I have listed some of the events that I wanted to take part of, and I also wanted to take part to some activities to properly immerse me to the culture."
"I saw your proposal about spending time in a media company?"
"Production company and media company will be best suited to know what's happening behind the scenes; probably more events that I needed to take part to." He handed me a folder.
"I guess Namdo is the best company for your project, they are both production and media, so you don't need another one…"
"Namdo…" that rings a bell. I read the folder about Namdo's profile. Yes, it's that Namdo. The one Jae-woo owned with his best friend.
"I have reached out to them for a meeting and you're going on Friday…" He sure prepared everything already.
What are the chances that they knew me? What are the chances that we'll meet up? Commuting through public transport from SNU to the loft is really frantic and I don't think I can continue doing it for the next 6 months. So, I have to figure out how to have my own car. It's good I have an international driving license.
Friday came, it only takes 10 minutes by taxi from the Loft to Namdo. I can get my car by Sunday; I have managed to use RT's dealership with Tesla to lease one car for 6 months. Although, I am ready for this meeting, I still felt a hint of anxiety of having to meet the "best friend". What's more exciting is to find out that the office of Namdo is in the same building where Namesis is.
Seeing the building in person is more intimidating than when I saw it in pictures. The building complex where NamDo and NamEsis offices are separated by open atrium enclosed by glass ceiling, which served as a lobby with cafe's and restaurant, seemingly resembling markhtal of Rotterdam, the only difference probably is the rooftop garden. So, the two opposite ends are the two companies' offices, the courtyard serves as their lobby or meeting point as you might say, this building was bought by both Nan-do and Jae-woo from an old publishing house during their Namdo days almost 12 years ago, and it was developed into this design 7 years ago when their earning began soaring. As a part of the Yongsan Business District, the building sure is a forefront in this area.
I'm a bit anxious to see the infamous "best friend" for the first time. I pass by the restroom to check on myself, I decided to wear a beige sailor pants and a black turtleneck, long sleeve ruffled top. I practice my breathing before I entered.
As expected, he is as stunning as his pictures, in comparison to Jae-woo, he is the natural and muscular looking type, same height, a little darker; he is the epitome of tall, dark and handsome in an Asian setting while Jae-woo is the more stylish, model like type. The best comparison probably is while Jae-woo is a pretty boy, Nan-do is the macho man.
"Thank you for meeting me. I'm Ara Rivera," I reach out my hand and smiled. I totally forgot the greeting again. But he was respectful enough to do a handshake.
"Pleasure to finally meet you", do I hear a familiarity on his voice?
"My PR team have been talking about this proposal since Professor Kim Nam-gil approached us, and we are honored. It is really nice opportunity, but we have some reservations about being publish." He is honest and respectful, and he talk English well, not as good as Jae-woo but you'll know he is educated abroad as well.
"The purpose of the research is purely educational, and the journals will be use for the academia as well, if you are worried about any privacy being violated, I can give a draft of NDA from our lawyer? Everything that I wanted to achieve for this research is all on the proposal, that's as transparent as I can be with my purpose," I wanted to sound as professional as possible. I might have taken a back seat from our company business but I'm still part of the board of directors who can close deals when necessary.
"We understand and of course you are welcome here at Namdo. We will have to discuss further about the guidelines of you being an in-house researcher. We have English-speaking team to accommodate you but we don't want their work be interfered, so we wanted to have a compromise about delegating people for your project, " he explained and he smiled, and he is charming as ever, I can't blame Seo-hyun for falling for this man. They are the polar opposite with his best friend. This guy is more charismatic while Jae-woo has an air of arrogance.
"You've been staring at me from the start, do I remind you of someone?" I am an adult woman who is almost middle-aged but the rush of warm blood on my cheeks are still involuntary. I just needed to be honest right? To test, if he knew me.
"I apologize. I guess you does remind me of someone, but it should not be an excuse to make you feel uncomfortable." I almost stutter. Keep your cool, I said to myself. It's just another business deal.
"No problem. I get that a lot. I guess I have a common face after all." He chuckles. I don't want to explain further because I might start blabbering.
"My research won't require much of individual supervision, I am mostly here to observe and if there will be a need for translator for an in-depth analysis, I am sure the university will provide for it…" I needed to persuade this person.
"It's refreshing to have a conversation with someone who knows exactly what she wants. When you're in this business, you'll meet a lot of people who tend to beat around the bush and sugarcoat things. We'll review the best possible way, and we will send you an email. I'll see you around Miss Ara Rivera", he said, extending his hand for a handshake. Ok, a handshake then. And no matter how I try to dismiss it, he really sounded weird. Could he possibly know?
"Thank you for seeing me, and I am looking forward to be working with you", and I held his hand and said my goodbye.