Golden Print [EN]: Chapter 185

Woo-jin smiled as he said goodbye to So-jeong. Their meeting had gone very well, ending with a simple dinner at a new restaurant in his building. The food was good, but it was So-jeong’s easy laughter and bright ideas that made the evening truly enjoyable.

Woo-jin’s new apartment building, Seoul Forest Classia Forest, was modern and grand. Inside, everything felt new and a little bit fancy. Several restaurants had opened recently, their windows glowing warmly in the evening light.

“I really appreciate your ideas, Seo-jeong,” Woo-jin said, smiling warmly. “They’ve opened up some exciting possibilities for us.”

So-jeong laughed lightly. “Well, thank you, Woo-jin! Getting involved in drama sets is completely new for me, but it sounds like a fantastic adventure! I’m really looking forward to it.”

“It will be great to work together,” So-jeong said, her eyes bright. “I’ll send you the contract details by email as soon as we’ve finalized everything with the investors.”

“Perfect,” Woo-jin replied. “I’m excited to see it.”

So-jeong’s steps towards the parking lot after her conversation with Woo-jin seemed remarkably light.

Her statement that she was able to consider new directions for her business thanks to Woo-jin was by no means an empty one.

‘Working with the Seoul Design Foundation…’ So-jeong thought as she walked to her car, a happy surprise bubbling inside her. ‘I never imagined my company would be involved with such a respected organization!’ This could really raise her company’s profile and open doors to bigger projects.

The story Woo-jin had casually mentioned while they were eating was a hint of what CEO Min of Bellostonez had proposed a few days prior.

Woo-jin was thinking of connecting the design of the main set for to a Korean-style space design in collaboration with Bellostonez.

He had said that if they could promote drama as part of ‘Hallyu’ and display it at the exhibition held at COEX, they could significantly boost the drama’s popularity.

So-jeong, upon hearing this, was amazed.

‘This is a chance to make a real impact at a big international event!’ she thought, impressed. ‘How did Woo-jin come up with such a clever way to link everything together?’

And there was one more thing.

She could even think of expanding this opportunity and making it even bigger.

‘According to CEO Seo, a large K-POP event is being held at COEX… This must be related to the Korea Creative Content Agency.’

The Korea Creative Content Agency that So-jeong was referring to is the Seoul Content Promotion Agency.

If the national institution organizing the design fair is the Seoul Design Foundation, So-jeong predicted that the Content Promotion Agency would be in charge of organizing K-POP related events.

Now that she had learned something interesting thanks to Woo-jin, it was her turn to use her connections to create new opportunities.

“Let’s see. I think I saved Director Kim’s contact information…,” she wondered.

So-jeong grabbed the steering wheel and drove out of the parking lot, making a phone call.

Thus, the idea created by Woo-jin was growing even bigger through So-jeong’s efforts.

The next afternoon, Woo-jin called a small but important meeting. Jin-tae, always calm and organized as the project manager, Im Seong-hoon, the careful head of finance who watched over every penny, and Yoon Ji-ye, the new marketing leader full of fresh ideas, all gathered in the conference room.

It could be said that he called the three essential people to secure the manpower and funds needed to carry out this project in advance.

“Okay, everyone had a chance to look at the contract draft?” Woo-jin asked, looking around the table.

“Yes,” Jin-tae nodded.

“Ready,” Yoon Ji-ye added with a smile.

“This project has a few layers to it, so pay close attention,” Woo-jin said, leaning forward slightly.

“Got it,” Jin-tae said, already opening his notebook.

“Ready to focus,” Yoon Ji-ye chimed in, her pen poised above her paper.

The door opened, and an office worker quietly placed a thick file in front of each person. On the cover, in bold letters, was the title: ****. They all turned to the first page at the same moment, ready to dive in.

Woo-jin began to explain the project, speaking clearly and directly. He described how WJ Studio would design and build the main set for the drama . He talked about working with the drama company Meditree and the investors. As he spoke, Jin-tae scribbled notes about timelines and construction, Im Seong-hoon focused on the budget numbers, and Yoon Ji-ye thought about how to market this unique project. Each of them was already thinking about their part in making it a success.

Im Seong-hoon cleared his throat. “So, Woo-jin,” he began, “looking at the contract, it seems like our investment will be about 3.8 billion won. That’s… quite a bit more than we currently have saved.” He said this carefully, his brow furrowed with concern.

“Exactly,” Woo-jin nodded. “We have around 1.5 billion won ready, is that right?”

“Yes,” Im Seong-hoon confirmed. “If we use every last bit, maybe we could reach 2 billion. But then,” he added, his voice tight with worry, “we’d have very little left for building our own company headquarters. It would be cutting it very close.”

“But,” Woo-jin said, a slight smile playing on his lips, “the 3.8 billion won figure isn’t the actual cash we’ll be spending.”

Im Seong-hoon blinked, looking puzzled. “Wait, what do you mean?”

“Think of it this way,” Woo-jin explained. “If another company hired WJ Studio to design and build this set for them, 3.8 billion won is what we would charge. That’s the full price for our design work, the building materials, and everything else.”

“Ah!” Im Seong-hoon exclaimed, his eyes widening in understanding. “I see!”

“But because we are doing all the work ourselves – the design, the planning, the building – and we’re being very careful with our spending,” Woo-jin continued, “the real cost to us will be much lower, probably less than 2 billion won.”

“Right, that makes sense,” Im Seong-hoon said, nodding slowly. Relief washed over his face.

“And remember,” Woo-jin added, “some parts of the set, the pieces that can be easily moved and reused, will be designed with Bellostonez. Those are the same pieces that will be shown at the Living Fair.”

“Ah, right! The Living Fair sets!” Im Seong-hoon exclaimed, remembering. “So, those parts will cost even less?”

“Exactly,” Woo-jin confirmed. “Because of that collaboration, I think we can save at least another 500 million won on construction.”

Im Seong-hoon nodded, pulling out his calculator. “I’ll need to calculate everything precisely,” he said, “but if Bellostonez provides some of the expensive materials, that will definitely bring the costs down significantly.”

Woo-jin’s voice became serious. “Of course, saving money is important,” he said firmly, “but I will not compromise on the quality of the design. Understood?”

“Absolutely,” Im Seong-hoon replied immediately, meeting Woo-jin’s gaze.

As Im Seong-hoon wrote down the numbers, he felt a growing admiration for Woo-jin. Looking back at the contract, he realized just how clever Woo-jin had been. ‘He’s turned our company’s reputation and skills into a fantastic deal,’ Im Seong-hoon thought, impressed. WJ Studio was investing about 4 billion won in value, but only spending around 1.5 billion won in actual cash. In return, they would own the entire drama set and get a share of the drama’s profits. It was a brilliant move. Im Seong-hoon smiled to himself. This project was going to be much bigger than just building a set; it was going to be a game-changer for WJ Studio.

WJ Studio was doing well financially. They could easily borrow some money if needed.

As Im Seong-hoon finished, Yoon Ji-ye, the marketing team leader, spoke up. “Sir, should we work with for marketing first?”

Woo-jin answered right away, “ is practically owned by KSJ Entertainment.”

“Ah……!”

“Once the drama production really gets going, KSJ Entertainment will likely take over the marketing.”

“I see.”

“But working with them will come later, after the set is built.”

Woo-jin paused, pulling out a business card from his pocket. It was from someone at the Seoul Design Foundation.

“Contact them first.”

As Yoon Ji-ye looked at the card, Woo-jin added, “The Design Foundation’s marketing will start in January or February.”

“To promote the Living Fair?”

Woo-jin nodded. “Yes. If you work with them for marketing first, you can get a lot of support.”

“If we are smart about it, they might even make our project the main feature in their Design Fair booklet.”

“Exactly.”

Woo-jin smiled, happy she understood his plan so quickly.

“I already told them about it this morning, so you should be able to talk to them easily.”

“Understood, sir.”

The marketing schedule had plenty of time compared to the budget or design plans.

To start marketing, they needed something to show first.

So, the conversation with Yoon Ji-ye ended quickly.

Finally, they needed to discuss the most important thing: design and planning.

Woo-jin looked at Jin-tae, who met his eyes and said, “We should start with a design concept meeting, sir.”

Jin-tae wasn’t designing or planning himself.

But, as the general manager, he watched over the schedule. So, they talked to him first to decide who would work on planning and design.

“Is Design Team 2 working on a new project right now?”

Jin-tae, with his notebook out, shook his head and said, “They still have about fifteen days left on their current project.”

“Can they finish it sooner?”

“I’d have to ask the team leader, but I don’t think they can finish it more than three days early.”

“Team 1 or Team 3 are out of the question, right?”

“Yes. They’re already too busy.”

“Alright. Then, clear Team 2’s schedule starting from the first week of November.”

“Understood, sir.”

Woo-jin seemed to have a clear idea from the start.

Even with many complex issues, this first meeting ended quickly.

Only the general plan was set; there was still a lot of detailed work to do.

But that wasn’t Woo-jin’s job.

Woo-jin’s job was to create the big picture, not the small details.

‘If things go as planned, this project could really increase the company’s value.’

As the meeting ended, the three talked more among themselves than with Woo-jin.

They needed to organize what Woo-jin had suggested.

But Woo-jin wasn’t just standing there.

He was already planning the project in his mind.

‘Even with a small set, that project had a big impact, helping the Icheon commercial district.’

As the project took shape, he remembered things from his past life.

‘It started small, but it became a theme park when it was named a special tourism zone.’

If more than 100,000 foreign tourists visit, it can be named a under the Tourism Promotion Act.

This requires enough tourist information, public facilities, and places to stay for international tourists.

The national government supports the local community.

Some green belt land is released under special laws, and the set grows from a small area to a large one.

Woo-jin was planning for the future.

‘Once construction is underway and we get more money, I need to buy all the land around it. When the drama becomes popular, the whole area will be worth a lot.’

It was just an idea, but Woo-jin was confident he could make it happen.

It wasn’t just overconfidence.

Woo-jin had one of the most important things needed to complete this plan.

Creak-

After the meeting, Im Seong-hoon and Yoon Ji-ye left. Jin-tae stayed and asked Woo-jin a question.

Since they were alone, they spoke comfortably.

“Woo-jin.”

“Yeah?”

Jin-tae hesitated, then said, “The project is good, but for it to work, the drama has to be a success, right?”

Woo-jin replied, “Well, yeah, of course!”

Jin-tae looked surprised. “Do you think the drama’s success is certain?”

Woo-jin took a sip of tea and smiled at Jin-tae.

With a confident look, he nodded and said, “Of course, it is.”