After Story 163

After Story 163

“You want to do this?” Junmin put down the scenario that Maru brought.

“Yes.”

“You do know that there are five other scenarios that came your way, right?”

“I do.”

“Among them, you should know that there’s a distributor who booked 700 theaters after just seeing the names of the staff and actors involved, right?”

“I do not have the best memory, but I remember that much.”

“And you’re telling me that you are going to reject that movie to do this drama that we don’t even know will work out on a private-owned channel of all places?”

“I guess that’s how it is.”

“Am I supposed to tell you to go ahead?”

“I believe you will.”

His eyes were fixed in the middle and didn’t budge even a little bit. He looked like he had finished thinking about it a long time ago.

Junmin leaned back against the sofa.

“I said this before too. The people I work with all love to be placed in baskets of soju. Rather than being a high-class business card, they want to consolidate their positions as actors while doing the roles they want to do. It’s a good thing in theory.”

Junmin scanned the scenario placed on his desk. It was a work that stimulated an actor’s challenging mindset.

Whether it was the characters or the story, it was a kind of work that was never seen in public TV dramas until now.

The problem was that it was too new. Yes, maybe the masses will get used to this one day, but what about now?

“There will be a fantasy romance in 2011. There are many talks about whether it will work out or not, but since it’s romance, the investment was achieved. But this drama you’re saying you are going to do should be classified as a fantasy mystery, if it can be classified at all.”

“Doesn’t it look interesting?”

“It does. I like fantasy too. Not only that, even domestically, we’re expanding from simply having everything be ghosts and demons in a traditional setting. Even the ones that push on with weird plot twists have all fallen in mannerisms, so we do need something new. But this one, this one’s too heavy and too fresh. They say people want new, fresh things, but they actually look for ones that they’re familiar with.”

Other than gourmets, not many people tried new food. This was the same with movies and music. When they were young, they would readily accept new things, but once they consolidated their preferences and those preferences matured, they would not change. They would want only slight changes.

That was just the nature of animals. Changes mean danger after all.

Even in the realm of hobbies, that kind of nature was bound to be reflected.

There was no special reason why people in the drama industry kept shooting the same content over and over again, despite hearing that they were old-fashioned. They invest in those because the masses want that kind of content.

“If you really wish to do it, then I don’t plan to hold you back. When I signed a contract with you as the CEO of the company known as JA, we decided that I will accept whatever work you strongly want to do.”

“What do you think of this as a businessperson?”

Junmin placed his hand on the armrest of the sofa. He scratched the leather with his fingertip slightly and spoke,

“If I have to invest in this drama, I will only invest a small amount. In terms of stocks, this is the chump change of stock exchanges. It also serves as a thematic stock. With a single issue, it can rise ever so higher every day.”

“And conversely, it might fall every day due to an issue and….”

“Eventually be delisted.”

“Hearing that from your mouth directly made me flinch.”

Junmin looked at Maru.

Right now, Maru was in a position where he could consolidate his level as a supporting character. The scenarios coming his way were all good as well. But Maru chose to go with a not-so-safe lead character rather than a surefire supporting character.

“Is the reason you’re pushing this drama just because you’re the lead character?”

“I don’t really mind my weight in the story. I’m not saying that it doesn’t matter at all, but it’s not a priority. I chose this drama because I liked the story and the character.”

“You know what it means to play a lead character in a failed drama, right? If you don’t have any foundation, you might fall for good just from that.”

“I still want to do it.”

Despite telling him the risks, Maru seemed to have not changed his decision.

Junmin nodded with a smile.

“Fine. Go ahead then, this might be an opportunity for you.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. It’s your life. If it turns out good, then it’s thanks to you, and if it does bad, then it’s your fault. I’ll tell Yeonjin to adjust your schedule, so focus on the drama. Also, since you’re here, let’s shoot a profile for you as well.”

“A profile?”

“It’s about time you appear on our website. Until now, you only had your name and a couple of lines of career listed. In the industry, there are people who look for you quite frequently, but the public does not know you yet. If you start a drama in this situation, you won’t get a boost, and we have some time until the end of the year when the drama airs for the first time, so I have to make you known as much as possible before then.”

Junmin opened the door and left. He stopped secretary Kim from standing up.

“Miss Jungyeon, I’ll be on the second floor for a bit.”

“Yes, president.”

“If there are any calls coming my way, please redirect them to me.”

“Yes, sir. Oh, sir, president Park Jeonho from Hanjun Group says he wishes to delay the dinner appointment by an hour. What would you like to do?”

“If he can’t make it, then tell him to delay it until next time. He’ll probably call again saying that he’ll come in time.”

“I’ll tell him that.”

On their way to the elevator, Maru spoke,

“If things don’t work out for me as an actor, do you think I can get a job here?”

“As an employee, not an actor? Where did you go to college?”

“I have a high school diploma.”

“You’ll fail before the interview stage. Don’t even dream of it.”

“How meticulous of you.”

Junmin smiled and got on the elevator with Maru.

* * *

Kim Jungyeon stayed standing until president Lee Junmin and the actor disappeared before sitting down. It had been more than a year since she started working as a secretary, but she still felt nervous whenever she talked to the president.

“Miss Jungyeon, where’s the president?”

“He went to the 2nd floor with Mr. Han Maru.”

“Is it for the profile shoot then? Did you tell him about the dinner with Hanjun group?”

“Yes, senior.”

“Well done. Now I should be able to leave everything to you and leave the company.”

Jungyeon waved her hand in denial.

“Please don’t say that. I’ll be in big trouble without you, senior. I found myself frozen stiff when I talked face-to-face with him just now.”

“Isn’t it about time you adapt? The president isn’t some kind of grim reaper.”

“Right. He really looks out for me, but whenever we make eye contact, it happens anyway. This isn’t coming from the difference in position as the CEO and an employee; it is a matter of innate nature.”

“Innate nature?”

“You know, it’s like how frogs freeze up in front of a snake.”

“Miss Jungyeon, since when were you a frog?”

The senior smiled and looked at his watch.

“Did you get the president’s suit?”

“No, I was just about to leave.”

“I’ll go get it then. I have some business to do at a bank. Should I buy you some coffee on the way back?”

“That’d be great.”

“Wait a little then. I’ll buy some macarons too.”

“Please be on your way.”

Jungyeon organized the schedule and had a look at the email. She had to be on full alert as there were dozens of business-related emails coming in every single day.

Though, the most important emails were directly sent to the CEO’s address, so that was good.

“Is the president inside?”

It was head manager Choi. He was holding a puppy.

“No, he just went down to the 2nd floor.”

“This guy… he called me up here too.”

Head manager Choi was one of the very few people who could call the president ‘this guy’ in the company. After twitching his eyes, head manager Choi exclaimed before frowning.

“Hey, you should’ve said something if you wanted to pee.”

Head manager Choi placed the puppy down on the floor. Jungyeon pulled out some boxed tissues and gave them to head manager Choi.

“Miss Jungyeon, I’m sorry, but please take care of this one for a moment.”

“I will, please go to the bathroom.”

Head manager Choi grumbled and undid the buttons of his shirt, which had dog pee on it.

Jungyeon crouched down and looked at the puppy with its chin on the floor. From the appearance, it seemed to be a Welsh Corgi.

When she patted its head carefully, it became happy.

“Do you have a name?”

The puppy barked in a small voice as though it understood her. She found that cute.

“How old are you? Are you male or female?”

Just as she was touching the puppy all over the place and talking to herself…

“It’s a male.”

She heard a voice above her. When she raised her head, she found a man looking down at her. She was so absorbed with the puppy that she didn’t notice someone approaching.

Jungyeon stood up with the puppy in her arms.

“The company has good welfare, bringing pets to work.”

“No, it’s not like that….”

Jungyeon scanned the man from top to bottom as she responded.

He had an old-fashioned hair perm that even old ladies these days wouldn’t do and was wearing a pair of sunglasses with tiger stripes for the frame. His beard was messy as though he hadn’t shaved for months.

He was also wearing a beach shirt and tight shorts, finishing up with black socks and sandals.

While she didn’t think of herself as fashionable enough to advise other people, she really wanted to say a word or two to the man in front of her.

“Fashionable, aren’t I?”

“Eh?”

“Aren’t I stylish?”

Stylish…. Jungyeon looked at the magazine placed next to her office computer. There was a photo shoot of actors who could be called the definition of ‘stylish.’

On its cover was Yang Ganghwan, one of the main stars of JA.

He had a handsome face, a bright smile, and even the clothes he was wearing were neat. His boasting expression was the epitome of dandyism.

That was stylish. Not socks and sandals.

“Yes, well, it’s unique.”

She came to herself and returned to her original occupation.

“This is the president’s office. Do you have a prior appointment?”

“I don’t. Do I have to?”

“Obviously, right?”

“I see. I didn’t know. Then should I get an appointment now?”

“Er, I’m sorry, but we aren’t accepting on-day appointments unless it’s a special occasion.”

“That puts me in a fix.”

Just then, the dog in her arms suddenly wiggled before jumping out. She reached out her arms in surprise, but the man was quicker.

Being in the man’s arm, the puppy wagged its tail a lot, as though it knew the man from before.

“Oh, it’s you. I thought I saw you somewhere,” said the man as he pushed up his sunglasses.

Jungyeon was surprised when she saw the eyes and nose hidden behind the thick glasses frames.

He looked quite decent, contrary to his weird appearance. No, his face looked handsome.

She felt like she had seen him somewhere before too. Just as she was feeling a strange sense of déjà vu, the man grinned before opening the door to the president’s office.

“Hey! You can’t just go in like that.”

She quickly followed in. There she saw the man grabbing some papers on the desk. She immediately went up to him.

“Hey.”

“Wait a bit,” said the man, giving her the puppy.

Jungyeon inadvertently received the dog. The man pushed up his sunglasses and looked at the paper.

“What’s this now?”

“Do you want me to call security?”

“Don’t bother. Even if people from security come over, I won’t be thrown out.”

This was the first time she had seen someone so audacious. The fact that he came up all the way here meant that he had a visitor ID or an employee ID, but what made him act so bold?

“What are you doing over there?”

It was her senior’s voice. The moment she saw her senior holding some coffee, Jungyeon rushed out.

“Senior! I told that person he can’t come, but he went inside and….”

Contrary to her expectations that her senior would shout at the man, he spoke warmly,

“When did you come? What the heck is that outfit you’re in?”

“My casual clothes. It’s been a while, secretary Kang.”

“Yes, it has been. But didn’t you say you were coming tomorrow?”

“I had some free time so I came. Where’s the president?”

“You should go to the 2nd floor. He’s there.”

“Thanks.”

The man left while holding the paper. Jungeyon stood dumbfounded before asking her senior,

“Senior, do you know that person?”

Her senior frowned, looking at her like he couldn’t understand.

“You really didn’t recognize him?”

“I don’t know him.”

“But you said you were a fan of his.”

“What?”

“You told me you were a huge fan of his, yet you don’t recognize him? Well, I guess I didn’t recognize him at first either. That person’s appearance totally changes during break season.”

The senior left the room. Jungyeon followed and asked,

“So who is he?”

“You’ll regret it, you know?”

“Who the heck is he that I will end up regretting?”

“I’m sure you’ll regret it.”

The senior pointed at the magazine on the desk. She was unable to understand.

“What?”

“This person is that person.”

She looked at the photo of Yang Ganghwan, which lay at the end of what he pointed at. She chuckled and shook her head.

“Don’t lie to me. There’s just no way.”

“You’re saying that, but you can put the puzzle together in your head, right?”

Jungyeon thought back to the man from before.

Changing his weirdo fashion to something neater, carving some flesh out of his facial line, shaving his beard, and….

“Holy shit.”

“See, I told you you’ll regret it,” the senior smiled.