Chapter 156:
"How extraordinary must the production team be for him to speak so highly of them?"
Jang Sunho, always careful with his words, found his newfound confidence in speech somewhat unfamiliar.
He glanced at himself in the rearview mirror, just as he was about to inquire who those production team members were.
"But, actor."
Jang Sunho spoke first.
"You seem to have bought a lot; what did you get?"
"Oh, this?"
I pointed to the various shopping bags piled next to me.
"I bought some gifts while I was in Japan. I bought some for the manager too"
After a quick explanation, he rummaged through the bags.
"Ah, here it is."
"Did you buy mine as well?"
"Of course."
Jang Sunho alternately looked at the traffic lights and the shopping bags as if anticipating gifts. As soon as the signal changed, he stopped the car.
"I was unsure of what you might need, so I asked Manager Go Seoyoung. She suggested that a watch might be a good choice."
As he handed over the gift, he alternated his gaze between the shopping bag and my face with a complex expression. When his normally stern face became even more rigid, I couldn't help but feel uneasy.
"Oh, but I personally chose the model. I thought this would suit you better. Haha, I don't really know about watches, so I got help from Manager Ha Jun, who knows more about them."
Jang Sunho opened the elegantly packaged watch case.
What if he doesn't like it?
Even though I had been extremely careful in selecting the gift, I couldn't shake off the worry.
"Thank you. It feels like I received a gift that's too much, but I'll use it well."
Gently looking at the watch, Jang Sunho put it back into the shopping bag as if handling a delicate heirloom.
After a while, he discovered another box inside and asked, "Did you buy two?"
"Oh, that's a gift for Manager Go Seoyoung. Other team members bought things they thought of, but since I didn't know what to get for Manager Go Seoyoung, I bought a watch. It has a similar design to the one the manager has."
"A design similar to mine?"
"Yes, it's the trendiest one in the store these days."
"Ah I see. Got it."
There seemed to be a lot on his mind, but before he could say anything, the traffic light changed, and Jang Sunho focused on driving again.
"Oh, by the way, Manager-nim. Can you tell me who the production team for this project is that you mentioned earlier?"
"We've gathered the best in each field."
***
At OS Entertainment, in the conference room.
Director Katahiro, sitting at the head of the table, looked at the other people assembled in the room and swallowed dry saliva.
"These staff members are too much. Am I really fit to represent them?"
Katahiro scanned the staff one by one.
Director Yeo Jaeyoon, Producer Ha Sarang, Cinematographer Eom Hyeryeong, and the leader of the Translation Team,' Takafumi. Not to mention other experts who were equally impressive.
At first, he didn't know who the Korean production staff were, but after hearing about the work they had created, Katahiro couldn't hide his surprise.
Each of them had the experience to take on the role of a director or an equivalent position in any production. In a way, they could be considered more remarkable than himself.
"I was curious about the people Jang Sunho Team Leader gathered as the best members, and they're really something."
Although he thought so, Katahiro didn't show this externally. That's because he was the director of this project, and a director like Katahiro wouldn't let the staff outshine him.
"The only concern is whether this ship with many sailors will sail smoothly Well, with sailors like these, I'm sure it'll be fine."
Meanwhile, Katahiro wasn't the only one astonished by the team members.
Eom Hyeryeong, sipping her favorite drink, observed the people in the conference room with a sidelong glance.
"They were recruiting staff for Kang Jinseok's film, and I asked the director for a favor to get in. I never thought it would be a place like this."
Eom Hyeryeong, being affiliated with BDD Broadcasting, wasn't originally supposed to be here. However, due to the past debts BDD Drama Division owed to OS Entertainment, and Eom Hyeryeong's strong stance "If you don't let me go, I'll just resign. There are plenty of places willing to take me." Director Na Jinho had no choice but to assign Eom Hyeryeong to the "The Most Painful Predestined Relationship in the World" team. It wasn't a big deal for the broadcasting station to run without Eom Hyeryeong.
Instead, BDD Broadcasting had received something from OS Entertainment, but Eom Hyeryeong wasn't aware of it.
Eom Hyeryeong clenched her fist in thought.
"I came here in a hurry because I wanted to work with Kang Jinseok again, but anyway, it was a good decision. With people like this, the outcome will surely be the best."
However, due to her colleagues being exceptionally talented, there were concerns. She worried that she might be overshadowed, or worse, not able to handle the camera.
While acknowledging their skills, Eom Hyeryeong, with her pride and confidence in her abilities, had her reservations.
At that moment,
"Is it good?"
In this place where everyone was sizing up each other's skills and momentum, the only man who seemed indifferent to everything, Takafumi, spoke to Eom Hyeryeong.
"Yes, I like it. It's a drink that can be divisive in terms of taste, though."
"I see. I've been in Korea for a long time, but it's the first time I've seen this drink. Is it available at the nearby convenience store?"
"It's in the conference room fridge. Team Leader Jang Sunho researched the drinks the staff likes and stocked them there."
"Hehe. That person doesn't seem like an ordinary person. To go to the trouble of preparing like this. Come to think of it, when we met, he asked about my favorite drink. I think I said beer at the time."
After leaving a meaningless comment, Takafumi walked toward the fridge with a light step. Meanwhile, he exchanged a few words with others.
"Hey, there's a drink over there, but no one's having it?" or "Oh, hello. Nice to meet you. It's my first time seeing you."
Even Yeo Jaeyoon, who emitted an atmosphere of being the oldest and had a difficult-to-approach aura, Takafumi showed no hesitation.
To this, Yeo Jaeyoon initially had a perplexed and awkward expression, but not long after, he naturally engaged in conversation with him.
"He's quite the talkative person."
However, that didn't seem to be a bad thing. Though they had only known each other for a short time, it felt strangely friendly. Perhaps because of this, the subtle tension in the meeting room gradually eased.
At that moment, a knock echoed in the room.
Amidst the relaxed atmosphere, the sound of a knock spread through the room, and everyone waited for the door to open with a mixture of anticipation and concern, wondering, "Who could it be this time?"
"You've arrived first."
"Hello! I'm Kang Jinseok!"
Jang Sunho entered first, followed by Jinseok. As Jinseok entered the meeting room, he widened his eyes like a surprised rabbit.
"Wow it's really a dream team."
Jinseok, who wasn't informed about the production team until just before entering the meeting room, was quite surprised. After gathering his thoughts, he awkwardly greeted each staff member.
Once Jinseok finished his greetings, Jang Sunho stood at the podium and spoke, "Since everyone is busy, I'll skip my introduction. Now, let me introduce the director of this project."
Jang Sunho pointed to Katahiro Takeshi, who was sitting at the head of the table.
"The director of the OS Entertainment original production, The Most Painful Predestined Relationship in the World,' Katahiro Takeshi."
"Nice to meet you. I'm Katahiro."
Katahiro greeted with a slight bow, looking at people's eyes. Contrary to his concerns, no one doubted Katahiro's skills.
"It seems like I worried for nothing."
Thinking about it, it was natural. Professionals among professionals had no reason to doubt the director. Such doubts were more likely to arise from those with ambiguous skills and only soaring self-esteem.
After confirming the staff's sentiments, Katahiro spoke with strength in his voice, "Originally, this project was supposed to be a Japanese production. However, due to various issues, it was rejected. Fortunately, I met Team Leader Jang Sunho and was able to work on this project with such talented individuals."
"I want to raise awareness in the Japanese film industry through this work. I also want to prove my skills. So, for the next few months, it might be a tough schedule, but I hope you all give your best."
***
In the KL Entertainment representative office, where an oppressive atmosphere always prevailed, representative Lee Youngkyung said, "Until when do I have to endure seeing this?"
The managers standing in front of Lee Youngkyung swallowed their saliva quietly at his words.
"He even held a fan meeting at a ramen shop in Japan and still had the leisure to enjoy a trip there."
As Kang Jinseok gained attention, the name of KL Entertainment, which he and KL Entertainment had built, was falling to the ground.
Lee Youngkyung didn't want a single minnow to muddy the water.
"I must have gathered you guys several times and said it. That son of bitch, Kang Jinseok, get rid of him without me noticing. Is it so difficult? No, even if it is, you have to manage it. It's not OS Entertainment; it's just handling one actor. Isn't it?"
The managers nodded heavily. Lee Youngkyung's gaze, which had been staring at each of them as if to kill, stopped in front of the second manager.
"Second Manager. Do you know a Japanese actress named Inoue'?"
The second manager answered seriously without his usual cheerful expression and exaggerated gestures.
"Yes, I know."
"As far as I know, she auditioned in the second division. Is that correct?"
"Yes."
"But how did she end up taken by OS Entertainment?"
The second manager trembled her hands discreetly enough not to be noticed by others. Inside, she only had questions like, How does Lee Youngkyung even know such an unknown actress?'
But now wasn't the time to resolve her questions. She had to somehow divert the uncomfortable gaze of the CEO away from her.
"It wasn't taken. We let her go."
"Let her go? Hm, Second Manager. Did you lose your mind? You made an uncharacteristic mistake. You, another incompetent parasite"
Before Lee Youngkyung's words could become sharper again, she interjected as if rebelling against his criticism.
"CEO! So, I have something I'm preparing for this."
"Preparing?"
"Yes."
Hiding her trembling hands, the second manager spoke as confidently as possible.
"The higher you climb, the more painful the fall, right?"
""
"When that guy is flying highest, at that moment, I will break his wings."