Chapter 117:
"Role model?"
"Yes."
Actor Kwon Seokhoon, like me, is from an orphanage and worked hard to become a top star. Of course, there's no successful actor without hard work, but the commonality of not having parents gave me a sense of camaraderie with him. The moments when such an actor received the spotlight provided me with hope and the possibility of success.
Although he doesn't seem to be actively working on projects these days, in the past, I studied his performances while watching the works he appeared in.
As I pondered these thoughts, Jang Sunho just silently looked at me, wearing a somewhat serious expression.
"Did I say something unnecessary?"
I wondered if refusing to shoot an advertisement with Pizza King as the model's role model might come off as a bit presumptuous as if I were a brash kid with too much ambition.
"I'm sorry. I spoke thoughtlessly It doesn't make sense for me to refuse the advertisement Manager-nim worked hard to secure just for personal reasons."
"No, it's not about that. Whether it's a project, an advertisement, or a broadcast appearance, your opinion as an actor is the most important. But more than that"
Jang Sunho continued with a more serious expression and tone than before.
"What concerns me is Kwon Seokhoon, who is Kang Jinseok's role model."
"Kwon Seokhoon?"
"Yes. Actually, President Oh Haneul instructed us to investigate KL Entertainment's actors one by one. It wasn't a thorough investigation, just a process of searching for actors who might be brought to our company later."
Jang Sunho said it casually, but recruiting actors from KL Entertainment was not an easy task. It was the largest entertainment planning agency in the country, and actors who were already receiving top-notch treatment might not find it necessary to move to OS Entertainment, even if they were unhappy.
"But Seokhoon's lifestyle is a bit peculiar. Despite shooting many advertisements and succeeding in several projects, he still lives in the KL Entertainment dormitory where he lived as a rookie. Moreover, this is just a rumor, but it seems he has a contract with KL Entertainment that is quite disadvantageous."
"A disadvantageous contract?"
"Yes. To put it simply, it's a slave contract.' There's no reason for a top star like Kwon Seokhoon to have such a contract, but well, there's a saying that smoke doesn't come out of a chimney without fire, so we're investigating."
But if, as Jang Sunho mentioned, it's indeed a slave contract,' and if actors are being unfairly exploited
Jang Sunho picked up a bottle of water that was in front of him as if he were very thirsty. After pouring water into a cup and taking a sip, he asked me,
"Then I'll say it's difficult to do the Pizza King' advertisement for now. No matter how good the advertisement is, it's not right to do it if you feel uncomfortable about it."
There was a slight disappointment in Jang Sunho's voice. It was evident how disappointed he was, considering that he never showed such emotions.
At that moment, Jang Sunho's phone rang.
"I'm sorry, actor-nim."
"Oh, it's okay. Feel free to answer it."
"Yes."
Jang Sunho took out his cell phone from his pocket. After checking the caller ID, he said with a lingering expression,
"It's the advertising agency for the Pizza King. I'll take a call outside for a moment."
***
"Wow, really. So, Kang Jinseok can't do the Pizza King' ad because he doesn't want to snatch it from Kwon Seokhoon?"
The representative of the Dolphin Tour, Go Seokwoo, expressed disbelief with a disheartened tone.
"Yes, Representative. Even though I've been in the advertising industry for a long time, it's the first time I've seen an actor refuse a job just because they don't want to snatch an ad from another actor. Other celebrities are relentless about snatching ads from others."
"That's true. With such a good reputation, I thought he managed his image well, but does he really have to go this far?"
"At this level, it's not image management; it's more like he's genuinely a kind fool. Even when told to do an ad, he refuses because he doesn't want to."
At that moment, the team leader, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, opened his eyes slightly and said slyly,
"Could it be that he's trying to raise his appearance fee?"
"No, I didn't get that feeling. It seems like Kang Jinseok doesn't want to snatch the ad from Kwon Seokhoon, just as Manager Kang Jinseok said."
Go Seokwoo rubbed his forehead, looking troubled.
"If I had known it would be like this, I should have contacted KL Entertainment later. Now, they come and say Kang Jinseok won't do it, but Kwon Seokhoon will. It's quite amusing."
"Seems like it. Kwon Seokhoon is such a nice person, he'll probably just smile and go along with it. But 3rd Manager won't let it slide easily. You know, 3rd Manager has a bit of a tough vibe."
Despite discussing for a long time, Go Seokwoo and the team couldn't come up with a clear solution.
As time passed, it was already midnight, and the meeting room was filled with silence.
"Since it's come to this, let's modify it to use both Kwon Seokhoon and Kang Jinseok."
Go Seokwoo scratched his head in confusion.
"Yes? What do you mean? Use both of them?"
"Just what I said. Literally. If Kang Jinseok doesn't want to do Pizza King because of Kwon Seokhoon, why not have both of them do it together?"
It was a straightforward solution, and surprisingly, it might work. However, there was a problem.
"Well it's a clear solution fitting of the CEO, but would Pizza King or KL Entertainment agree? Pizza King didn't plan for this additional expense, and KL might insist on Kang Jinseok alone due to pride."
"Then it's even better. We have something to say to Kang Jinseok, right? We planned to make an ad with Kwon Seokhoon, but KL Entertainment rejected it. So, if Kang Jinseok took Kwon Seokhoon's ad, it's not our fault."
"Ah!"
"After securing the PT, we can modify the plan. Even if Kang Jinseok is the main focus, Pizza King won't say much. And as for KL? They'll definitely do it. Those guys can't resist money."
With Go Seokwoo's confident words, the atmosphere in the meeting room, which had sunk into despair, revived.
When everyone started to predict optimistic outcomes, Team Leader Seo, still cautious, cautiously presented his concerns.
"Well But, sir. Although I hope everything goes according to your plan, can we really convince Pizza King? They might have already set their budget."
The manager's point was a very realistic concern.
No matter how good the ad plan is, if you can't come up with the money' in the end, you can't proceed.
"Don't worry, Manager Seo."
"Yes?"
However, Go Seokwoo responded to Manager Seo's concerns with a faint chuckle.
"I'll personally handle this upcoming Pizza King presentation. And remember this: office workers can never beat field workers in practical matters."
***
On the day of the Pizza King ad presentation.
"Kwon Seokhoon has been the image maker for Pizza King, providing consumers with the perception that Pizza King is reliable through his bright, friendly, and trustworthy image."
Go Seokwoo was proving that his words to Manager Seo were not just boasting.
"If that's the case, how about the new model you proposed, Kang Jinseok? Although he played a villain in his representative work, Spring Without Flowers,' he changed to a positive role and received love from the entire nation. In the recently concluded The Way They Chose'"
The executives at Pizza King were in a negative position with the idea of using two models, especially expensive ones.
"Of course, proceeding with Kang Jinseok alone is also acceptable. However, what we are concerned about is the abrupt departure of Kwon Seokhoon,' who has been with Pizza King for five years. The termination of the contract of the model who has provided trust' so far. Will people simply think it's the end of the contract? Seeing Kang Jinseok, who came in as his replacement, what will people think?"
But the more they listened to Go Seokwoo's words, the more convinced the executives became.
"Indeed. Then, should we reconsider using Kang Jinseok?"
"Although Jinseok is considered a rising star, to the public, he's just a talented rookie actor.'
By featuring Jinseok as the model, we can capture a young and energetic vibe, but it's inevitable that the existing image of premium' we've been pursuing will be somewhat diluted.
"Jinseok has a well-established image for a rookie actor. When he's an opponent, he's fearsome, but when he's an ally, he's reliable! Entrusting the trust' that Seokhoon has built for Pizza King to Jinseok!"
Feeling the atmosphere shift, Go Seokwoo began to explain the advertising concept.
Using Jinseok as the main model while maintaining the brand image of Pizza King without compromising it. A premium pizza you can trust.'
By the time Go Seokwoo finished speaking, everyone was nodding in agreement.
"Moreover, according to the information I've acquired, Pizza Hut' is also considering Jinseok as an exclusive model."
When the talk shifted to the competitor' Pizza Hut, Pizza King executives focused even more on Go Seokwoo.
Deliberately pausing for a few seconds, Go Seokwoo spoke with significance, "Have you seen Pizza Hut's new menu? They released a concept similar to our Pizza King's new menu, and now they are trying to snatch our image as well."
With that statement, Go Seokwoo concluded the PT.
"Suggesting to add Seokhoon to the previously proposed Jinseok was meant to solidify our unique Pizza King image. Thank you."
As the PT ended, Pizza King executives began their meeting with serious expressions.
"Pizza Hut, those sons of they copied our menu, and now they are trying to steal our image?"
"The menu concept is similar, so marketing is crucial, but if we mishandle this, the impact could be significant."
"Still, with Seokhoon and Jinseok, the cost is exceeding our budget."
At that moment, a heavy sigh pierced through the meeting room, expressing someone's displeasure. It was a sigh that didn't attempt to hide the frustration.
"Pizza Hut, those shameless guys. This time, we need to rearrange the pecking order."
When the Pizza King CEO declared as if making a decision, the executives echoed his sentiment, rallying with a few words each.
"All right, CEO. Let's put some real spirit into it this time!"
"Incompetent fools trying to snatch our products just because they lack the ability daring to challenge our position?"
The Pizza King CEO, calming the heated atmosphere, spoke to Go Seokwoo.
"Mr. Go Seokwoo, I've heard you well. We might have some internal discussions, and our representative will contact you soon. You're free to leave now."
"Yes, I understand."
With a composed voice until the end, Go Seokwoo bowed and bid farewell.
Honestly, Go Seokwoo didn't know if Pizza Hut was considering Jinseok as a model.
But whatever.
It's a done deal as long as we secure the contract.
"As planned."
Go Seokwoo smirked subtly as he picked up his belongings. Watching him, the manager thought to himself.
There's no con artist quite like him.