Compared to that, an apparel ad—along with liquor, beverages, mobile phones, and cars ads—was a prized opportunity that only the top celebrities could dream of. Being considered for this ad was no mean feat. This was perfect evidence that Yoo-Jin was being recognized as one of the top celebrities in the industry.
"Ha ha ha. What a pleasant surprise to start the day!"
The room was filled with lively laughter. However, I couldn't join in. If my memory served me well, a man named Hong Sung-Beom would have been appointed as the executive director of HK Apparel around this time.
The rich playboy Hong Sung-Beom, the fourth son of HK Group's founder, was known for having a habit of hunting rookie actresses.
I was the only one frowning, prompting Seong Min-Suk to ask. "Why that look? Is something wrong?"
"Mr. Sung, did the ad offer come from HK Apparel's PR department or the secretary's office?"
"What difference does it make?"
The other sunbaes of Actor Division 2 stopped laughing and started paying attention to my question.
"HK Apparel doesn't accept any sort of inappropriate entertainment, right?"
"Right. CEO Gu Wang-Soo is known for his strict policies. He never allows anything that could cause any controversy."
Oh Deok-Gu and Ju Yung-Hoon exchanged words.
While listening, Seong Min-Suk responded with a confused look. "The contact came directly from the secretary's office. They said their executive director specifically picked Yoo-Jin, thinking her image fits their new brand perfectly."
HK Apparel had been nurtured to the top of the industry over twenty years by Gu Wang-Soo, a close associate of HK Group's founder, Hong Moon-Gyu. But in a year, the current executive director, Hong Sung-Beom, would become the new CEO when Gu Wang-Su resigned for some reason, changing the company's culture entirely.
Removed from the group's succession rights, Hong Sung-Beom was more interested in mingling with celebrities and squandering his family's wealth than in business management.
I figured that the company employees must be supporting Hong Sung-Beom, who would soon become the next CEO. In other words, the offer was made by Hong Sung-Beom, and not Gu Wang-Soo.
Gu Seong-Cheol looked puzzled and asked, "Yoon-Ho, what's the problem? Don't keep us in suspense."
"The executive director there is Hong Sung-Beom. Have you heard of him?"
"Not really. Was he recently appointed?"
"Yes. Hong Sung-Beom is the fourth son of Chairman Hong Moon-Gyu. If the contact had come through the PR department, we would have considered it an official offer. But a contact from the secretary's office doesn't seem like good news, does it?"
Upon hearing this, everyone seemed to understand the situation and shook their heads.
Gu Seong-Cheol frowned. "Hmm. You all know what it means when a third-generation chaebol with real power reaches out directly, right?"
A chill settled over the room. Apart from scandals, the next most dangerous thing for a celebrity was a sponsorship offer. In the past, it was tough to land an ad without a sponsor. But now, things were different given that celebrities held much more power than before. Of course, many actors and idols still opted for sponsors for an easy route.
"Mr. Seong, let's be more careful about ad offers in the future. We know how this industry works. One misstep could end everything."
Seong Min-Suk looked flustered and apologized. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean this to... My apologies."
"No, it's not that I'm upset with you. It's just that…ah, never mind. Let's not drag this on. People make mistakes. Let's move on."
But Seong Min-Suk apologized once again, specifically to me since I was in charge of managing Yoo-Jin.
"But, Mr. Jung. How do you know so much about the internal affairs of HK Apparel?"
I smiled awkwardly. "A friend of mine works there. He says a terrible executive director arrived and is ruining the company culture."
"Ah, I see... Anyway, it's good that we caught that issue in time. We'll reject the offer right away."
When I made an excuse, Seong Min-Suk returned to the publicity division. But as we wrapped the meeting up, Seong Min-Suk sent a link to an article.
[Publicity Division Team Lead Seong Min-Suk: Check this out. Yoo-Jin's opponent seems challenging. (Article Link)]
[(Breaking News) The blockbuster web novel Moonlight Starpour from Cameo Page with Million views, Dramatized!]
-MBS's Moonlight Starpour vs SBC's Blue Sky. Who will win the April drama battle?
'But this is too soon.'
The drama Moonlight Starpour, originally set for a July launch, was now pitted against Blue Sky.
'This won't be easy.'
Moonlight Starpour was a huge hit with viewership rating peaking at 20.5%.
***
Kim Dong-Soo was reading articles covering Lee Sa-Rang's praises of Jung Yoo-Jin.
"Why are they only mentioning Jung Yoo-Jin and not the main lead Yung-In?"
When Kim Dong-Soo burst into anger, Kang Myung-Gil, who was in charge of managing Ju Yung-In, hurriedly bowed and explained, "I-it seems like the Actor Division 2 played some dirty tricks. Jung Yoon-Ho has been seen with Mrs. Lee Sa-Rang quite a bit on set."
"Damn it! Why didn't you tell me that sooner?!"
"I-I'm sorry."
"All of you are utterly useless! If only you were half as good as Jung Yoon-Ho!"
The reason Kim Dong-Soo was so frustrated was simple—there were fewer than six months left until the contract with Ju Yung-In ended.
Kim Dong-Soo breathed heavily and made a quick call.
-Yes, this is Lee Chun-Sik from the PR department.
Lee Chun-Sik from Seoul National University of the Arts line answered the call.
"It's me."
-Oh, Mr. Kim.
"Fill the entertainment page with Yung-In's articles right now. I'll send you the fee right away.
-Yes, sir. Oh, and Mr. Kim.
"What is it?"
Lee Chun-Sik informed Kim Dong-Soo about Actor Division 2's rejection of HK Apparel's 200 million won ad offer for Jung Yoo-Jin.
"What? They turned down a 200 million won deal?"
-Yes, sir. But Mr. Seong wouldn't tell me why they refused the offer.
At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo's eyes sparkled with a cunning light.
'Are they trying to negotiate a higher price?'
"Okay. If HK contacts us again, let me know immediately."
As Kim Dong-Soo was about to hang up, Lee Chun-Sik added,
-And about that ad—it was the secretary's office of HK Apparel that contacted them directly, not their PR department. I don't know the reason though.
"Secretary's office? Okay, got it."
After hanging up, Kim Dong-Soo quickly contacted the operating director's office. The secretary of HK Apparel was a high school alumnus of Operation Director Lee Gi-Cheol[2]. Kim Dong-Soo's mind was now filled with plans to use Lee Gi-Cheol's connections to have Ju Yung-In become the new model for HK Apparel.
"Jung Yoon-Ho, it seems like you've had enough and aren't hungry anymore. I'll seize this opportunity for myself, then."
Believing Jung Yoon-Ho's refusal of the advertisement was a ploy to raise the advertising fee, a sly smile began to form on Kim Dong-Soo's face.