Mining And Construction Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 135

135. Selling the Image (4)

Lee Gun-hoo, Tae-soo, and Kim Kwang-rok exited the conference room.

Just then, CP [Chief Producer] Go Seok-man and the drama director were rushing towards them, eyebrows furrowed with concern.

Lee Gun-hoo smiled at them.

“I’m going to have a meal with Chairman Kang. Let’s resume the meeting later.”

He then looked at the drama director and made it clear.

“I’ll be watching this matter closely as well.”

Cold sweat began to trickle down the backs of the drama director and CP Go Seok-man.

Lee Gun-hoo, a powerful figure in the broadcasting station, made his words sound like a threat.

As Lee Gun-hoo and Tae-soo left the broadcasting station, the drama director muttered to himself.

“Go CP.”

“Yes?”

“Call all the broadcasting station employees. Let’s get this sorted out before lunch break ends.”

“Yes?”

This time, cold sweat ran down the backs of the broadcasting station employees.

The drama director burst into anger.

“What are you doing? Immediately upload all the actresses’ profiles and gather them here!”

“Yes.”

“Empty a studio and prepare for camera tests!”

“Yes.”

“Quickly review the CF [Commercial Film] proposal requested by the Taeyang Group!”

“Yes.”

The drama director laid down the law in a menacing voice.

“You all heard what Director Lee said, right? All meeting preparations must be completed before lunch break ends!”

“…Yes.”

“Skipping one meal won’t kill you! But showing incompetence in front of an important investor will! Got it?”

“Yes!”

This was the beginning of the broadcasting station employees groaning whenever Tae-soo came.

* * *

Samcheong Hotel Restaurant.

In a corner of the hall, a musician played the piano, violin, and cello live.

Tae-soo and Lee Gun-hoo sat facing each other at a table.

Kim Kwang-rok, Song Chang-joon, and Holjook were seated at another table.

Lee Gun-hoo listened to the classical music for a moment.

“I often use this hotel restaurant.”

Of course.

It was a hotel affiliated with the Samcheong Group.

“The chef here is surprisingly skilled.”

He said he would introduce a good restaurant, but he brought him to the Samcheong Hotel to promote it.

A prodigy is a prodigy.

“Would you like a glass of wine to go with your steak?”

“No, thank you. As I said earlier, I have a meeting scheduled due to broadcasting station matters, so I’ll have to decline the wine.”

The Taeyang Group chairman has a meeting due to broadcasting station matters.

“I briefly heard from my staff earlier. I was surprised by the large-scale and full support and investment.”

“I just invested a little because they said they were planning a decent drama series.”

“A little investment? It’s a 100 million won investment, plus providing a studio and outdoor filming locations, cameras, staff, materials, and props, and even a CF [Commercial Film].”

This was the reason Lee Gun-hoo visited the conference room and met Tae-soo in person.

“I hope we can see each other often in the future. Please put a lot of advertisements on our broadcasting station, and please give us generous support and investment.”

“I should be the one asking for your help. I hope you will provide a lot of support so that this drama series can be successful.”

“That’s what our broadcasting station wants. We will do our best.”

Lee Gun-hoo smiled.

“I heard you’re planning a fascinating project.”

“I found a decent daily drama series plan, so I invested in the drama, and while I was at it, I commissioned a CF [Commercial Film]. It’s not a very fascinating thing.”

“If you look at them separately, there’s nothing fascinating about them.”

Lee Gun-hoo looked straight at Tae-soo and said.

“But when you put them together, it becomes a very fascinating project. I was amazed at how many times the phrase ‘the first in Korea’ was attached to it.”

His eyes were full of goodwill as he looked at Tae-soo.

But within that goodwill, there was a flash of sharpness.

Curiosity, admiration, and even surprise towards Tae-soo.

“I was reminded of the word ‘innovation’ from Chairman Kang.”

Innovation (革新) [Gaksin – a Japanese loanword meaning reform or renovation].

It refers to combining existing production factors in a new way.

“Existing drama, CF [Commercial Film], apartment, studio. You wrapped them all together in new packaging. Taeyang Apartment promotion.”

Tae-soo quietly put down his knife.

Then he wiped his mouth with a napkin.

“Are you displeased that I used Dongin Broadcasting as a means of promoting Taeyang Apartment?”

“No, not at all. I admire the fact that you used it as efficiently as possible. I mean it.”

Lee Gun-hoo stared at Tae-soo.

“Chairman Kang, you seem to be a very fascinating person in many ways.”

“What’s so fascinating about me?”

“Just as I said. The elegance that flows from your body, the way you 추진하시는 [push forward with] innovative things without hesitation, and the fact that you became the head of a chaebol [large family-owned conglomerate] at a young age.”

But even so, it can’t compete with the stronghold of the Samcheong Group yet.

Lee Gun-hoo is the one who will inherit the Samcheong Group in the future.

“I feel a 노련함 [seasoned skill] that I can’t imitate even if I want to. How do you keep pushing forward so relentlessly…….”

Lee Gun-hoo’s eyes were full of affection as he looked at Tae-soo.

“I’m just struggling with the position of director of the broadcasting station.”

What was given to Lee Gun-hoo, the third son of the Samcheong Group, was the media.

Lee Byung-chun, the chairman of the Samcheong Group, established the succession of the eldest son as a basic principle and 몰아줬다 [pushed] major businesses to the eldest son.

Then to the second son.

“I’m being beaten from above, running around below to get advertisements, 전전긍긍 [anxious] to secure viewership ratings, and I’m a 동네북 [punching bag]. There’s no one else.”

The role 맡겨진 [assigned] to Lee Gun-hoo, the third son, was that, 매품팔이 [scapegoat].

It was taking the beating on behalf of the Samcheong Group and his brothers.

“Unlike me, Chairman Kang is very different. When I watch from the side, I can’t help but admire him, thinking, ‘Is this talent? He’s a great person.'”

It was a time when the oppression of the media was extreme.

If they didn’t 선동 [incite] public opinion to suit the regime’s taste, they would be severely beaten.

Dongin Broadcasting was already 거듭 제재 [repeatedly sanctioned] being punished by Park Jung-hwan.

“I’m looking at the regime’s mood, the chaebols’ [large family-owned conglomerate] mood, and the viewers’ mood, and most of the projects I planned are being overturned, and the performance is at the bottom. I’m 쩔쩔매고 [floundering] every day.”

Lee Gun-hoo, 34 years old, seemed to have many worries.

‘Unexpectedly. Even the head of the Samcheong Group, who was recognized in the world, had such a 애송이 시절 [rookie days]…….’

Tae-soo had been acting as the head of a chaebol [large family-owned conglomerate] for nearly 25 years.

Lee Gun-hoo was the man who had been competing with Tae-soo for the top spot in the Korean business world for a long time.

“Unlike me, Chairman Kang had a direct interview with the President, secured oil supply rights during the oil shock, and 인수했다 [acquired] Cheongil Oil and Heavy Industries, and 나아가셨죠 [advanced] into a great chaebol [large family-owned conglomerate].”

Lee Gun-hoo took a sip of water and said.

“I know you’re younger than me, but I thought you were amazing. I guess there’s a secret to success. Hahaha.”

Successful people all have their own secrets.

Even if Tae-soo tells me his secret, would it be meaningful?

But Tae-soo remembered what he used to say in his previous life.

“Change everything except your wife and children.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t be afraid of innovation. If you change everything you can and give it a new look, that’s it.”

“Innovation…….”

Lee Gun-hoo, who was cutting the steak with a knife.

He 움찔대 [flinched] as if he had been struck by lightning and stopped moving.

He put down his knife and fork and 잠시 생각에 빠졌다 [fell into thought].

“If you change your mind, you can see the way. Good advice, thank you.”

Lee Gun-hoo 정중하게 [politely] bowed his head to express his gratitude.

Tae-soo also 가볍게 [lightly] bowed his head to receive the greeting.

“I have received valuable teachings. I will 새기도록 [engrave] it in my bones.”

Lee Gun-hoo’s eyes shone.

It wasn’t the 흔들리던 [wavering] eyes that were full of worries.

Lee Gun-hoo was firmly looking beyond that.

“Let’s make this drama series a success. Our TBS Dongin Broadcasting will 총력을 기울여 [devote all our energy] and invest generously. With new methods and new attempts, we will give viewers a new shock.”

Very reassuring.

Tae-soo 슬쩍 [slyly] put a spoonful on the table.

“I would like to ask you to write many promotional articles in the Jungse Ilbo as well.”

“Of course, we should.”

The promotional article that was supposed to be requested from Dongbang Ilbo was 넘어갔다 [passed over] to Jungse Ilbo.

Jungse Ilbo has a thicker readership than Dongbang Ilbo.

Besides, it’s more reliable because it’s the same Samcheong Group affiliate.

It is 자명한 [obvious] that they will enthusiastically pour out favorable articles for drama promotion.

‘Very good. I finished two things at once.’

Satisfied.

That’s how the meal ended.

* * *

TBS Studio.

Cameras and lighting were prepared in the empty studio.

Broadcasting station employees were busily moving around to make room.

It was a place where Tae-soo and Lee Gun-hoo would 참관 [observe].

After waiting in the waiting room and receiving a call, TBS exclusive female actors 몰려들었다 [flocked] one after another.

“Why is this a sudden 소집 명령 [summoning order]?”

“The broadcasting station director and the investor are 새로 뽑는대 [recruiting] the female lead.”

It was then.

Tae-soo and Lee Gun-hoo enter the studio.

Kim Kwang-rok, Song Chang-joon, and Holjook followed behind.

A broadcasting station employee 안내한다 [guides] the seats.

“Please sit here. We will start the camera test soon.”

The seats where Lee Gun-hoo and Tae-soo sat were next to the camera.

Tae-soo was 새삼 신기할 정도 [quite amazed] to see the huge camera.

‘In the 21st century, broadcasting station cameras are 참 다양해지는데 [very diverse]. The cameras in the 70s were 참 후졌구나 [very outdated].’

CP [Chief Producer] Go Seok-man stood next to the cameraman.

He gives the broadcasting station employee the prepared data.

It was a list of actresses with photos, applications, and profiles.

Tae-soo 넘겨 봤다 [looked through] the page.

‘Certainly, TBS exclusive actors are 화려해 [splendid]. It’s almost as if all the well-known actors were from Dongin Broadcasting.’

At the top of the list of actresses was, of course, Kang Bu-ji.

After that, famous actors such as Sunwoo Woong-yeo, Yeo Woon-kyung, Oh Hyun-ja, and Sa Mi-jung followed in a row.

Tae-soo 멈칫했다 [paused] on the list of new actresses as he 넘기던 [turned] the page.

‘Jung Yoon-ah, Yoo Ji-yeon, and even Jang Mi-hyeon?’

All three actresses, called the Troika of the 70s, were Dongin Broadcasting exclusive actors.

Moreover, they were all listed as new actresses 뽑은 [selected] this year.

“We will start the camera test. Those who are 호명된 [called] should come forward one by one.”

The actresses sitting on the chairs prepared in the corner of the studio were all looking this way.

Tae-soo discovered a familiar face among them.

A short haircut, particularly prominent white skin, and 화려한 [glamorous] features that filled her face.

She was a 독보적으로 [uniquely] eye-catching beauty even among the actresses.

‘Jung Yoon-ah was also there.’

She was 깜짝 놀란 [surprised] and couldn’t take her eyes off Tae-soo.

* * *

Camera testing was actually an audition.

‘Certainly, the three actresses proposed by CP [Chief Producer] Go Seok-man are good at acting.’

It was 빼어났다 [outstanding] to the point where comparison was impossible.

It was only a few lines, but it was a 능력 [skill] that made me 몰입하게 [immerse] in the play.

She 확실하게 증명했다 [clearly proved] why they were TBS 간판 [leading] stars.

‘On the other hand, young talents are 부족함이 많군 [lacking].’

It’s 당연하다면 당연한 일이기도 [It’s only natural].

-The better you are, the more opportunities you have.

In the entertainment industry, 빈익빈 부익부가 [the rich get richer and the poor get poorer] naturally occurs.

Kang Bu-ji alone 소화하는 [handles] 30 programs a month.

On the other hand, new actresses find it difficult to get even a minor role.

So the difference in experience 더욱 벌어진다 [widens further].

‘In a daily drama series 제작하는 [producing] while being 시간에 쫓기며 [pressed for time], opportunities are more 제한되지 [limited]. Moreover, 필름 값이 비쌀 때야 [film costs are expensive] now. How much is the 손해가 [loss] if you NG [No Good – a filming term for a mistake] once.’

For that reason, drama directors want actors who can act.

‘But the Troika of the 70s is 확실히 다르긴 다르더군 [certainly different]. Not only 독보적인 [unique] appearance but also 연기력 [acting skills] was 제법 [considerable].’

Jung Yoon-ah, who is 청순가련하면서도 은근히 섹시한 [innocent and pitiful yet subtly sexy].

Jang Mi-hyeon, a 도도하고 화려한 팜므파탈 [arrogant and glamorous femme fatale].

Even Yoo Ji-yeon, who is 순진하고 발랄한 [naive and cheerful].

‘They are new actors now, but soon all three will 크게 날아올라 [soar high] and become top stars.’

CP [Chief Producer] Go Seok-man said.

“We have narrowed down the new female lead candidates to three.”

It was as expected.

Considering appearance, acting skills, image, and personality, the Troika of the 70s was 결국 뽑힌 [finally selected].

“I’m wondering if I should pick the female lead from these three, what do you think?”

“Good.”

Everyone 반색한다 [welcomed] when Tae-soo 동의하자 [agreed].

Tae-soo said.

“I want all three of them to appear in this drama.”

“Yes?”

I need to put their image and popularity on Taeyang Apartment.

Tae-soo 짚었다 [pointed to] the script.

“The chairman’s daughter, who is the target of revenge and a pure and innocent female lead, the quiet banker’s daughter who is 정략 결혼하는 [in an arranged marriage] with the male lead, and the daughter of an allied company who 과감하게 유혹하는 [boldly seduces] the male lead.”

Tae-soo said.

“Let’s raise the 비중 [proportion] of these three actresses a little more and have a fierce love fight over the male lead.”

After all, dramas are 치정극 [melodramas] the best.

That’s how No Joo-hyuk, Han Jin-hwi, Jung Yoon-ah, Yoo Ji-yeon, and Jang Mi-hyeon.

A 비주얼 몰빵 [visually focused] drama that will never exist again in the world was planned.

* * *

I came out of the broadcasting station building with Lee Gun-hoo’s 배웅 [seeing off].

Secretary Song Chang-joon asked.

“What should we do? It’s a little later than expected, but would you like to go to Taeyang Electronics?”

“No.”

Tae-soo shook his head.

“Let’s go to Myeongdong.”