Toast (3)
* * *
Around 2 AM, in front of Roman Entertainment.
In a franchise cafe usually bustling with celebrities and managers, two men sat facing each other.
Chief Jin Gyu-il took out a luxurious wine box and handed it over.
“You’ve probably heard it a lot already, but congratulations. We’ll have a toast in a fancy place soon.”
“I’ve already had enough to drink today,” Park Geon replied, accepting the box. He had been drinking all this time, but there wasn’t even a hint of intoxication or the smell of alcohol.
“It just so happens that my work is done too… I heard you were still partying, so I contacted you to congratulate you. Aren’t you tired?”
“I’m fine.”
“I heard the drama filming was tough.”
“I can stay up all night for about a week. Even more if it’s not for filming.”
Jin Gyu-il nodded.
“Indeed, looking at your schedule, you’re like an iron man. I was surprised to hear it from the production team.”
During the filming of ‘Baekjeong General,’ Park Geon handled almost all the night shoots until dawn.
When he contacted Director Jeon In-woo directly, two weeks before the final episode, he briefed him with a vibrant voice.
‘The set? No, it’s great. The script is a bit late, but… the main actors are working well together [Korean idiom, meaning they have good chemistry], so we can afford to be ambitious. Especially actor Park Geon is very active both on and off the set. If I were the production company’s CEO, I would have given him a generous bonus… Hahaha, just kidding.’
Usually, the filming schedule is adjusted to the lead actor’s condition, but this drama is different. He even flew to Paris in the middle of the tight schedule and returned without any jet lag.
Since Roman’s two leads were passionately acting regardless of the tough hours, the supporting actors and extras couldn’t help but put in their best efforts.
The person in question didn’t seem very impressed. Park Geon took a sip of the coffee in front of him and asked,
“What about the global OTT [Over-The-Top media service]?”
“I was just about to talk about that. I’m telling you this before the internal meeting.”
From the beginning, it was a relationship where he had to win favor before becoming a business partner. It’s not the time to bring up complicated introductions.
“It worked out well. It’s hard to believe it’s our own platform. Not only Asian viewers but also viewers in English-speaking countries flocked to it, and we had to expand the server twice. From the next project, simultaneous release in 160 countries will be possible.”
“What about the licenses? If the copyrights are sold, the number of viewers flowing in here will also increase.”
“Direct sales of overseas copyrights are also quite good. It’s not like we sold it to huge platforms like UN Plus or Helit, but we’re in the stage of growing our pie. If we had signed a contract with a global OTT, we would have been number one for a few weeks.”
“I see.”
Park Geon nodded.
Even after hearing that CVN’s own platform, ‘CE-VING,’ would have made a mark on the world if it had been an existing platform, he doesn’t seem disappointed.
Strangely enough, even though he is an actor who wants viewership and fame… public recognition.
‘I can’t imagine him looking disappointed even if the drama failed.’
Jin Gyu-il erased the short thought.
“Anyway, I owe you a lot. The channel that was dying until then is now booming. The number of actors who want to have meetings and PDs [Production Directors] who want to come over and work on projects has exceeded double digits for the first time since the company was founded.”
“Because they’ll have eyes, watching how DG and Joinus turned out.”
“Right. And at the beginning of this year, if it weren’t for Park Geon, our broadcasting station would have suffered even more than them. Changjin would have gradually reduced support for the entertainment side.”
The head of the Changjin Group’s successor and a key figure in C&J Entertainment bowed his head.
It was a thank-you greeting to a classmate who had helped him out, before being an entertainment industry official and an actor.
“Thank you again. For taking my hand.”
“What, I had something to repay them for too,” Park Geon said casually and drank the rest of his coffee. His phone had been vibrating for a while now, probably still receiving congratulations.
“So, I think we need to readjust the settlement amount.”
“Readjust?”
“Yes. You led a sinking ship to a golden island.”
If his purpose was just a wine worth less than ten million won or congratulatory remarks, he wouldn’t have come.
Jin Gyu-il slid an iPad filled with numbers toward his classmate.
“You have to get paid as much as you worked.”
*
Appearance fee.
Just as salary and annual income are important to office workers, appearance fees are the alpha and omega for celebrities.
[Park Geon, Appearance Fee for ‘Baekjeong General’ Shrouded in Mystery… Is 300 Million Won Per Episode a Rumor? The Truth?]
[2nd Year Actor VS Zermani Exclusive Ambassador Premium, What is the ‘Appropriate’ Price?]
The appearance fee set for a leading rookie is around 5 million won per episode.
For supporting actors or extras, it’s less than 1 million won, and sometimes the agency even pays the production company or director to get a role.
[Yeong Eun-ho X Heo Si-dong X Nam Woo-hyeop in Last Year’s TOP 3 Highest Paid… Insiders Hint, ‘They Don’t Appear for Less Than 500 Million Won Per Episode’]
Just as there is no limit below, there is no limit above either.
Depending on the actor, PPL [Product Placement], investment, and overseas sales are determined, and the broadcasting station and agency share the profits.
The highest price, which was once 500 million won per episode, unofficially broke through 800 million won.
In an era where someone receives 20,000 won per day, someone else receives 10 billion won with a 10-episode contract.
From non-standard unknowns to C-class… passing B-class and A-class to the so-called ‘top tier’ S-class, the intuitive criterion that penetrates the class system is the appearance fee.
“Okay, follow me. Hiss, ha, hiss, ha.”
“…Isn’t that a pregnant woman’s breathing?”
Park Seon caught her chest and took a breath. She held the phone with the balance far away.
“Whatever it is! You have to take deep breaths slowly first, should I give you some calming pills? I ate some earlier, and there are a few left.”
“It’s okay, give it to me.”
“Uh… you really shouldn’t be surprised.”
With those words, the smartphone screen that her brother handed over showed the compensation for the work she had done so far.
Tens, hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands… the dates they came in are random, but the number of 0s attached to them are all numerous.
‘This is a premium from the company, because you went overseas during the appearance to promote the platform. Traffic has exploded since after Fashion Week.’
‘I didn’t try to get more, I just went to see their work.’
‘We saw the trickle-down effect properly. Considering the production costs we recovered this time and the resources that will come in the future, this is nothing.’
Last night, Jin Gyu-il bestowed an unofficial bonus on him.
As soon as the gathering broke up after seeing his parents, he returned to his parents’ house, and the amount was unusual as the third child of the owner’s family showed off.
“It seems like more than the reward from when I was a hero.”
“Huh? Hero?”
“No, I just had another thought.”
In that dimension, he could freely take and use all the wealth of the Iron Kingdom’s Bigo, the treasure vault. Gold and silver treasures were useless in defeating the Great Demon.
Although the currency unit is different… this is enough money compared to when he was a hero.
Two years after returning to Earth, he is now free to do phone banking transfers. As soon as he sent money to his favorite account, his sister’s eyes widened as if they would pop out.
“Brother, the money came in wrong? The one you just deposited is my account.”
“I sent it to you. Use it as pocket money.”
“No, I get a separate salary. I don’t have anywhere to spend this much money!”
“You can buy calming pills. I heard medicine is expensive these days.”
“That’s right, even this…”
While Park Seon, who was shaking her hands, was rummaging through calming pills, Geon was running the calculator in his head.
‘I know why so much has accumulated. Running guarantees from the Black Priests, appearance fees from the Gray City team… and the Armani ambassador appointment was also a big deal.’
If there is a ‘running guarantee’ that receives a portion of the appearance fee each time the number of viewers increases in movies, the advantage of dramas is the additional money that accumulates each time they are replayed.
Half of the appearance fee for the first rerun, and half of that again for the third rerun… it drops every time it’s replayed, but the lower limit of 1/8 is maintained.
Putting aside ‘Dog of Seoul,’ which was when he was a rookie, his appearance fee jumped quite a bit during ‘Gray City Team Leader’ after going through ‘Black Priests’ and major corporate advertisements.
Even with the initial guarantee of ‘Baekjeong General,’ which has not yet accumulated, he can buy one or two apartments in the center of Seoul.
Park Seon, who chewed the calming pills thoroughly and even chugged mineral water, attempted a second persuasion.
“Brother, but there’s really too much. Even if I receive this, I’m likely to get scammed and lose it, and I might get caught in a voice phishing scam…”
“Seon-ah, let’s go see a house.”
The expression of his sister, who was dying from being crushed by money, brightened up.
“Oh… right, that place last time?”
“Yeah. The one you said was the best. The apartment in Ichon overlooking the Han River.”
“That’s right, it’ll still be there! I’ll contact them right away to confirm!”
When there is no desire for one’s own safety, spending usually increases to the people around them. And in that respect, the two siblings were on the same page.
A cool breeze enters through the open window. Looking at the sky with clouds floating by, Geon thought.
‘First of all… family first.’
*
“Oh my, who is it… you’re that person, Baekjeong General! Baekjeong Mask!”
He must have been in his late thirties. The real estate agent was a neat suit man, but his taciturn first impression shattered as soon as he saw the customers.
Park Seon, who proudly puffed out her chest, replied.
“Yes, he’s my brother.”
“I really enjoyed the show. My wife, at this age, even joined Park Geon’s fan club. Everyone around me, whether they have kids or not, was talking about Baekjeong General. They were devastated by the official announcement that there would be no Season 2.”
“Thank you for enjoying it. If you need an autograph or a photo…”
“Please! I would really appreciate it!”
Thanks to that, the contract proceeded smoothly. The real estate agent, who called the seller, raised his voice and spoke passionately.
“Yes, you’ll know when you come. Come quickly, you really have to treat this person well. The president mentioned it before… no, come and see!”
After going to the apartment and meeting the seller, a similar situation was repeated.
The homeowner, who introduced himself as an enthusiastic fan of ‘Icheonin’ [resident of Ichon], drastically reduced the conditions with a little fan service.
“Feel free to look around, I’ll accommodate everything to my Icheonin. I’m selling my house to my favorite celebrity while living.”
“Of course, Mr. President. I sent you today’s fortune through KakaoTalk last time. I said a great fortune would come soon. It seems that was our actor Park Geon.”
While the homeowner and the real estate agent were talking, Geon examined the apartment with his sister.
Considering the tastes of his parents, who didn’t want to leave their familiar neighborhood, the houses that the two siblings looked into were all apartments in Dongjak-gu.
“Not bad. My mother will like it.”
“Right? When I came last time, the actual building was better than the pictures.”
A total of 20 buildings with 30 floors, and an average size of 38 pyeong [approx. 1350 sq ft]. It was an apartment that is commonly referred to as the ‘leader’ of the neighborhood, with the advantage of an open Han River view and a few years of age.
Since the buyers’ minds matched, the transaction ended quickly. Geon bowed to the seller who followed him to the entrance of the apartment.
“Thank you.”
“No, I thank you. Can I brag about this photo to my friends?”
“Of course, Mr. President. But please don’t specify only my brother’s house…”
“Of course, of course! Who do you think I am? I’m the most tight-lipped guy in Heukseok, if anyone asks, I’ll have to give them a hard time.”
Next to the homeowner’s luxury sedan, the real estate agent’s eyes changed strangely as he opened the door of the parked Avante. It was an excessively frugal vehicle for a celebrity.
He was about to change it anyway. Geon, who was in the passenger seat, lowered the window all the way down.
“Let’s go, to my mother’s store.”
*
The B company store near Samsung Station.
It is a workplace that serves as both an exhibition hall and an agency, where Han Young-joo goes to work every day.
“It’s quiet today, it was busy yesterday.”
Black shoes and high heels are reflected on the floor, which is well-cleaned without any dust.
The youngest member of Sales Team 5, with his arms crossed, grumbled.
“No, how can you cancel right after it’s released? They know that when a car comes out, it’s obvious that the salesmen are being screwed over, but those nouveau riche guys have nasty minds…”
“They must have had circumstances. Why are you making a fuss when you’re not taking it on?”
“It’s because the team leader is having a hard time!”
“Min-seok, I’m having a hard time because of your performance. Try running one more sale instead of whining.”
Han Young-joo, who blocked the whining maknae’s [youngest member’s] mouth, looked out the window of the store.
How many times have owners canceled their cars right before or after they are released? A contract that has not been paid is the same as a release without a release certificate.
‘The team’s performance is disappointing in the first half of the year.’
Although her sons are thriving, she had no intention of neglecting her main job. Wasn’t it a job that fed her family after her husband’s accident?
It was a job she gave up on her dreams and entered, but she has become attached to it and has a team that follows her.
She took the top 5 last year, so if the stores in Gangnam break out this year…
“Uh… uh, uh?”
It was when Han Young-joo was lost in thought. The maknae made a gasping sound and hit his knee. Naturally, the eyes of the employees in the store were also focused.
“Why, what is it again?”
“Isn’t that a celebrity?”
Is it the first time they’ve seen a celebrity in the store? The manager usually comes, but actors and idols often visit themselves.
Han Young-joo sighed and stopped the fuss.
“Lower your voice a little. You’ll make the customers who were coming go out again.”
Her eyes widened as she spoke. It was because the two young men who were opening the store door were faces that were more familiar than anyone else.
“…Geon, Seon?”
“Ah, Mom!”
The maknae waved his hands and ran over, and the eldest, who was looking around the inside with sharp eyes as if inspecting the workplace, also approached her.
“Jackpot… is that really Park Geon?”
“Goosebumps, did he just call her mom?”
“Didn’t you know? Everyone who has worked for a long time knows that actor Park Geon is Team Leader Han’s son.”
“Wow, what kind of virtue did our team leader accumulate in her previous life to have those two as sons…”
They are professionals who respond to top celebrities according to internal regulations, but this is a different quality of issue.
Amid the murmurs of admiration spreading out, Park Geon, who took Han Young-joo’s hand, said.
“I went with Seon to sign a contract for the apartment where the two of you will be staying. It’s very old because it’s where we’ve lived since we were young.”
Suddenly he appeared at the store, and this time he bought real estate. Han Young-joo forgot to respond as a dealer and blinked her eyes.
“Why suddenly a house… wait a minute, then why are you here…”
“I told you before. I’ll change the family’s cars at my mother’s company.”
“That’s right, my brother is tired of the company van now.”
I thought it was a joke, but it seemed to be a 100% pure truth. The mother is in a state of confusion from her sons’ offensive.
Oooo… a murmuring of expectation spreads among the employees.
The actor, who was looking around the showroom lights, the shiny cars, sedans, G-Wagons, AMGs, and GLEs, opened his mouth.
“Let’s do it your way, there are four of us in the family.”
* * *