"Wow… CP-nim, is this for real? KL Entertainment manipulated everything to bring down Kang Jinseok's reputation just so that KL Entertainment's name could come up?"
BDD Broadcasting Station Editing Room.
A member of the "I Want to Know That" team exclaimed while looking at the monitor. What he was watching was a video edited by CP Jung Woncheol, summarizing the entire story of KL Entertainment creating and spreading rumors about Kang Jinseok.
Jung Woncheol paused the video at intervals and said, "I found out while making this that KL Entertainment doesn't just dislike Kang Jinseok casually. Rumor has it that there's even a Kang Jinseok curse doll in President Lee Youngkyung's office."
"Really?"
"Really. But seeing them go to this extent makes me think it might be true."
"But CP-nim, are you going to release this as it is? If we release this, we'll never be able to work with KL Entertainment or any entertainment industry professionals. Variety show PDs and drama PDs might never make a sound with us."
When the team member spoke, Jung Woncheol glanced at him. His expression toward the team members was full of contempt.
"Hey, it's been a long time since our station worked with KL Entertainment. What nonsense is this now?"
"Is that so?"
"Is that so? What nonsense. Since KL Entertainment messed with our drama department after their stunt with Director Kim's work, we haven't used a single KL Entertainment actor in our dramas."
"Oh, right. I remember that. But what about the variety show side?"
"It's the same there. Oh, the news department will make some noise. They couldn't release the first exclusive report, so they'll make sure to make a fuss."
As the team members spoke under Jung Woncheol's not-so-subtle criticism, they were engrossed in a conversation for a while. During their discussion, Jung Woncheol's mobile phone rang.
"Who… Oops."
As soon as Jung Woncheol checked the caller ID on the screen, he straightened up and politely answered the phone.
"Yes, Prosecutor. it's Jung Woncheol speaking. What? Ah… verification, right? There shouldn't be a problem, but we're still in the middle of the operation. Oh, really? You've arrived? I'll come down right away."
"?"
The team member looked at Jung Woncheol with a puzzled expression. It was the first time he had seen Jung Woncheol answer a call with such formality.
After a while, when Jung Woncheol finished the call, the team member asked, "Hyungnim, why did you answer the phone so cautiously?"
"Prosecutor Lee Minyoung."
"Hyungnim, what crime did you commit?"
"…Committing a crime? No such thing. She's someone helping us."
"What is Prosecutor Lee helping with?"
When the team member asked with a curious expression, Jung Woncheol stood up and vaguely replied, "There's something like that, kid. Don't ask too much. It's dangerous."
***
After the release of "The Most Painful Predestined Relationship in the World," I was leading a busier life than ever.
Mostly due to appearances on variety shows and shooting commercials.
The ad I was shooting today was for ‘Hermes.'
"As expected… Actor Kang Jinseok has a unique… feeling. Even if you just take a shot… it turns out well. Just like that feeling… I'll shoot the next product as well."
Photographer Yang Chihoon spoke with his characteristic slow tone. I had felt this before, but it was hard to tell whether he was genuinely pleased with the calm tone or not.
When Yang Chihoon took the pose he had informed me of, flashes went off incessantly. Unlike before, I had become quite familiar with such flashes now.
"Ten minutes. No, Well take a fifteen-minute break… and then do it again."
After a while of continuous shooting, Yang Chihoon set the camera down on the desk and said. Upon which, the staff members who were quietly assisting in the shoot shouted.
"We'll take a break!"
"How many more products do we have to shoot?"
"Six left!"
It was a break, but Yang Chihoon's gaze did not leave the screen. Next to him was a foreign employee from the ‘Hermes headquarters, and she, too, carefully examined the footage with Yang Chihoon.
"I should sit down for a moment."
Although I had done several ad shoots, this was my first time with luxury goods. Perhaps that's why, strangely, I felt more nervous than shooting other ads. I was worried that I might accidentally damage these bags and clothes, even though I didn't know their prices.
As I took my seat, Jang Sunho handed me a drink and said, "You seem to be in great condition today. You seem to shine even more than usual."
"Haha… Well, that's a relief. Honestly, I've been so nervous, wondering if it shows. What if I mess up?"
"There was no sign of nervousness at all."
"Thank you."
Feeling somewhat relieved after Jang Sunho's words, I took a sip of the drink he gave me. It was a green juice that was both bitter and good for the body, similar to one I had tried before.
"But today, it seems a bit more bitter. It almost tastes like traditional medicine."
Nevertheless, since he made it for me, I couldn't complain, so I managed to finish it somehow.
At that moment, Jang Sunho asked me, "Actor, do you happen to have a favorite among the products you shot today?"
"A favorite?"
After glancing at the stacked bags, wallets, and other products, I replied, "I'm not familiar with luxury items. They all look pretty, though. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, the advertiser was so satisfied after seeing the shoot that they wanted to give gifts. They said they would give everything, but it felt a bit much, so I suggested just picking two or three items you like."
"…Giving away those luxury items just like that?"
In a surprised tone, I asked, then quickly added, "Those things are over a million won, aren't they? I checked online before the shoot, and many products cost 3 to 4 million won."
"A million won?"
Jang Sunho looked at me with a puzzled expression, then lightly laughed and said, "Actor, well… The cheapest among the products we're shooting today is $8,900. With the current exchange rate, that's over ten million won."
"…What?"
I thought I had misheard. I had looked into it a bit when they said we were shooting an ad today, and it didn't seem like they were that expensive back then.
"Oh, wallets are a bit cheaper. Still, they usually cost around 8 to 9 million won."
"And they're just giving that as a gift? Why?"
"As I mentioned earlier, they might be satisfied after seeing the footage, but the advertising effect is much greater when the model uses the product. Just like they gave ‘Masareti' as a gift before."
"Oh… I see."
Listening to Jang Sunho's explanation, I somewhat understood the advertiser's intention. However, I still couldn't get over the shock that a single bag cost over ten million won.
As I nodded my head in bewilderment, Jang Sunho said, "If you don't particularly like any of the products, we could prepare something else."
"Is there no option to just not accept them?"
"Don't you like them that much? When I explained the ad before, you seemed quite enthusiastic, and I thought you liked it."
"Well… It's a well-known brand, so I was excited about that, but it's a bit burdensome to receive such expensive products as gifts. In the case of ‘Maserati,' I heard it was included in the advertising fee, so I accepted it, but…"
Amid my hesitant words…
I suddenly remembered what the leader of the warehouse, Mr. Bang, had said a while ago.
"Come to think of it, the leader mentioned wanting to give a luxury gift to the Madam at some point."
Thinking carefully, I asked Jang Sunho cautiously, "Manager-nim, it wouldn't be right to give away the gifts to someone else, would it?"
"That doesn't seem like a good idea. Why do you ask?"
"Well, the leader of the warehouse mentioned wanting to give a luxury bag to the Madam a while ago. So I thought, what if I don't accept it and give it to him? It doesn't have to be such an expensive product… but maybe it's a bit too much."
At my words, Jang Sunho made a hesitant expression with a soft sound. Then he nodded and said with a careful voice, "I'll talk to the coordinator about it."
"Oh, no, you don't have to do that."
Before I could finish speaking, Jang Sunho was already discussing something with the employee next to Yang Chihoon. It was hard to hear because of the distance. Besides, they were speaking in English or French, some foreign language, so even if I could hear, I wouldn't understand.
I continued to feel uneasy, wondering if I had brought up unnecessary complications.
However, at that moment, unexpectedly, Jang Sunho quickly came up to me.
"Uh, what happened?"
"If you agree not to use other brands for the next four years and use our new products for free, we'll gift as many as you want."
"…?"
His unexpected proposal left me looking somewhat foolish. Seeing my confused expression, Jang Sunho calmly continued to explain.
"It's a suggestion considering that you're likely to become much more famous in the future. Since you might enter Hollywood soon, it could be a good investment for them."
"That's… I mean, Hollywood? Me?"
Surprised, I asked, and Jang Sunho paused for a moment, then casually said, "It was a saying that with your talent, you could enter Hollywood anytime."
Although Jang Sunho spoke casually as usual, there was an awkwardness in his words, as if he was hiding something from me.
Just as I was about to inquire about it, he quickly approached me.
"We're starting the shoot again! Kang Jinseok, please get ready!"
***
KL Entertainment, Actor 2's office.
All the directors' heads, except for director 1, were gathered for a meeting.
"Do you all know that Kang Jinseok shot a ‘Hermes' ad?"
When Director 2 asked, Director 3, as if asking why she was asking the obvious, replied somewhat sarcastically.
"Is there anyone who doesn't know? It's all over social media that the ‘luxury actor wearing luxury' is causing a sensation. But why?"
"I think it's a good opportunity for us."
"A good opportunity?"
"Yeah. It's a hot topic on social media, and we can write articles about it. Before the start of exposing Kang Jinseok, we could tactfully release a few articles, maybe stir up the reporters to move in our favor."
The director 4, sitting next to the director 3, asked, "What kind of tactful articles are you talking about?"
"You know those types. Articles criticizing celebrities who shoot luxury ads or wear expensive clothes, raise the prices of those brands. How about something like, ‘Kang Jinseok, the modest youth, turns out to be addicted to luxury?'"
"Ah, I see."
Director 4 nodded. However, with a somewhat hesitant attitude, he spoke in a skeptical tone.
"But do we really need to do that? Anyway, once ‘Kang Jinseok's exposure' begins, he's likely to fall."
"I told you. It's a kind of ‘practice' for our journalists before the real ‘Kang Jinseok's exposure.' We have nothing to lose, so why not try it once?"
The Directors generally nodded in agreement with the words of the Director 2. Seeing this, she added one more reason.
"Also, we need to see how OS Entertainment responds to negative articles about their actors. We should see in advance. Once the ‘Kang Jinseok's exposure' starts in earnest, we'll be fighting Gene and OS Entertainment like crazy. We need to analyze their strength in advance."
"Why bother with an analysis of strength? We have around 50 reporters on our side. Will they even stand a chance against us?"
"Well, being thorough won't hurt."
"Yeah, that's true."
As Director 3 spoke in agreement, Director 2 shook her phone and said, "Shall we start the preliminary skirmish lightly?"
"Wow… CP-nim, is this for real? KL Entertainment manipulated everything to bring down Kang Jinseok's reputation just so that KL Entertainment's name could come up?"
BDD Broadcasting Station Editing Room.
A member of the "I Want to Know That" team exclaimed while looking at the monitor. What he was watching was a video edited by CP Jung Woncheol, summarizing the entire story of KL Entertainment creating and spreading rumors about Kang Jinseok.
Jung Woncheol paused the video at intervals and said, "I found out while making this that KL Entertainment doesn't just dislike Kang Jinseok casually. Rumor has it that there's even a Kang Jinseok curse doll in President Lee Youngkyung's office."
"Really?"
"Really. But seeing them go to this extent makes me think it might be true."
"But CP-nim, are you going to release this as it is? If we release this, we'll never be able to work with KL Entertainment or any entertainment industry professionals. Variety show PDs and drama PDs might never make a sound with us."
When the team member spoke, Jung Woncheol glanced at him. His expression toward the team members was full of contempt.
"Hey, it's been a long time since our station worked with KL Entertainment. What nonsense is this now?"
"Is that so?"
"Is that so? What nonsense. Since KL Entertainment messed with our drama department after their stunt with Director Kim's work, we haven't used a single KL Entertainment actor in our dramas."
"Oh, right. I remember that. But what about the variety show side?"
"It's the same there. Oh, the news department will make some noise. They couldn't release the first exclusive report, so they'll make sure to make a fuss."
As the team members spoke under Jung Woncheol's not-so-subtle criticism, they were engrossed in a conversation for a while. During their discussion, Jung Woncheol's mobile phone rang.
"Who… Oops."
As soon as Jung Woncheol checked the caller ID on the screen, he straightened up and politely answered the phone.
"Yes, Prosecutor. it's Jung Woncheol speaking. What? Ah… verification, right? There shouldn't be a problem, but we're still in the middle of the operation. Oh, really? You've arrived? I'll come down right away."
"?"
The team member looked at Jung Woncheol with a puzzled expression. It was the first time he had seen Jung Woncheol answer a call with such formality.
After a while, when Jung Woncheol finished the call, the team member asked, "Hyungnim, why did you answer the phone so cautiously?"
"Prosecutor Lee Minyoung."
"Hyungnim, what crime did you commit?"
"…Committing a crime? No such thing. She's someone helping us."
"What is Prosecutor Lee helping with?"
When the team member asked with a curious expression, Jung Woncheol stood up and vaguely replied, "There's something like that, kid. Don't ask too much. It's dangerous."
***
After the release of "The Most Painful Predestined Relationship in the World," I was leading a busier life than ever.
Mostly due to appearances on variety shows and shooting commercials.
The ad I was shooting today was for ‘Hermes.'
"As expected… Actor Kang Jinseok has a unique… feeling. Even if you just take a shot… it turns out well. Just like that feeling… I'll shoot the next product as well."
Photographer Yang Chihoon spoke with his characteristic slow tone. I had felt this before, but it was hard to tell whether he was genuinely pleased with the calm tone or not.
When Yang Chihoon took the pose he had informed me of, flashes went off incessantly. Unlike before, I had become quite familiar with such flashes now.
"Ten minutes. No, Well take a fifteen-minute break… and then do it again."
After a while of continuous shooting, Yang Chihoon set the camera down on the desk and said. Upon which, the staff members who were quietly assisting in the shoot shouted.
"We'll take a break!"
"How many more products do we have to shoot?"
"Six left!"
It was a break, but Yang Chihoon's gaze did not leave the screen. Next to him was a foreign employee from the ‘Hermes headquarters, and she, too, carefully examined the footage with Yang Chihoon.
"I should sit down for a moment."
Although I had done several ad shoots, this was my first time with luxury goods. Perhaps that's why, strangely, I felt more nervous than shooting other ads. I was worried that I might accidentally damage these bags and clothes, even though I didn't know their prices.
As I took my seat, Jang Sunho handed me a drink and said, "You seem to be in great condition today. You seem to shine even more than usual."
"Haha… Well, that's a relief. Honestly, I've been so nervous, wondering if it shows. What if I mess up?"
"There was no sign of nervousness at all."
"Thank you."
Feeling somewhat relieved after Jang Sunho's words, I took a sip of the drink he gave me. It was a green juice that was both bitter and good for the body, similar to one I had tried before.
"But today, it seems a bit more bitter. It almost tastes like traditional medicine."
Nevertheless, since he made it for me, I couldn't complain, so I managed to finish it somehow.
At that moment, Jang Sunho asked me, "Actor, do you happen to have a favorite among the products you shot today?"
"A favorite?"
After glancing at the stacked bags, wallets, and other products, I replied, "I'm not familiar with luxury items. They all look pretty, though. Why do you ask?"
"Oh, the advertiser was so satisfied after seeing the shoot that they wanted to give gifts. They said they would give everything, but it felt a bit much, so I suggested just picking two or three items you like."
"…Giving away those luxury items just like that?"
In a surprised tone, I asked, then quickly added, "Those things are over a million won, aren't they? I checked online before the shoot, and many products cost 3 to 4 million won."
"A million won?"
Jang Sunho looked at me with a puzzled expression, then lightly laughed and said, "Actor, well… The cheapest among the products we're shooting today is $8,900. With the current exchange rate, that's over ten million won."
"…What?"
I thought I had misheard. I had looked into it a bit when they said we were shooting an ad today, and it didn't seem like they were that expensive back then.
"Oh, wallets are a bit cheaper. Still, they usually cost around 8 to 9 million won."
"And they're just giving that as a gift? Why?"
"As I mentioned earlier, they might be satisfied after seeing the footage, but the advertising effect is much greater when the model uses the product. Just like they gave ‘Masareti' as a gift before."
"Oh… I see."
Listening to Jang Sunho's explanation, I somewhat understood the advertiser's intention. However, I still couldn't get over the shock that a single bag cost over ten million won.
As I nodded my head in bewilderment, Jang Sunho said, "If you don't particularly like any of the products, we could prepare something else."
"Is there no option to just not accept them?"
"Don't you like them that much? When I explained the ad before, you seemed quite enthusiastic, and I thought you liked it."
"Well… It's a well-known brand, so I was excited about that, but it's a bit burdensome to receive such expensive products as gifts. In the case of ‘Maserati,' I heard it was included in the advertising fee, so I accepted it, but…"
Amid my hesitant words…
I suddenly remembered what the leader of the warehouse, Mr. Bang, had said a while ago.
"Come to think of it, the leader mentioned wanting to give a luxury gift to the Madam at some point."
Thinking carefully, I asked Jang Sunho cautiously, "Manager-nim, it wouldn't be right to give away the gifts to someone else, would it?"
"That doesn't seem like a good idea. Why do you ask?"
"Well, the leader of the warehouse mentioned wanting to give a luxury bag to the Madam a while ago. So I thought, what if I don't accept it and give it to him? It doesn't have to be such an expensive product… but maybe it's a bit too much."
At my words, Jang Sunho made a hesitant expression with a soft sound. Then he nodded and said with a careful voice, "I'll talk to the coordinator about it."
"Oh, no, you don't have to do that."
Before I could finish speaking, Jang Sunho was already discussing something with the employee next to Yang Chihoon. It was hard to hear because of the distance. Besides, they were speaking in English or French, some foreign language, so even if I could hear, I wouldn't understand.
I continued to feel uneasy, wondering if I had brought up unnecessary complications.
However, at that moment, unexpectedly, Jang Sunho quickly came up to me.
"Uh, what happened?"
"If you agree not to use other brands for the next four years and use our new products for free, we'll gift as many as you want."
"…?"
His unexpected proposal left me looking somewhat foolish. Seeing my confused expression, Jang Sunho calmly continued to explain.
"It's a suggestion considering that you're likely to become much more famous in the future. Since you might enter Hollywood soon, it could be a good investment for them."
"That's… I mean, Hollywood? Me?"
Surprised, I asked, and Jang Sunho paused for a moment, then casually said, "It was a saying that with your talent, you could enter Hollywood anytime."
Although Jang Sunho spoke casually as usual, there was an awkwardness in his words, as if he was hiding something from me.
Just as I was about to inquire about it, he quickly approached me.
"We're starting the shoot again! Kang Jinseok, please get ready!"
***
KL Entertainment, Actor 2's office.
All the directors' heads, except for director 1, were gathered for a meeting.
"Do you all know that Kang Jinseok shot a ‘Hermes' ad?"
When Director 2 asked, Director 3, as if asking why she was asking the obvious, replied somewhat sarcastically.
"Is there anyone who doesn't know? It's all over social media that the ‘luxury actor wearing luxury' is causing a sensation. But why?"
"I think it's a good opportunity for us."
"A good opportunity?"
"Yeah. It's a hot topic on social media, and we can write articles about it. Before the start of exposing Kang Jinseok, we could tactfully release a few articles, maybe stir up the reporters to move in our favor."
The director 4, sitting next to the director 3, asked, "What kind of tactful articles are you talking about?"
"You know those types. Articles criticizing celebrities who shoot luxury ads or wear expensive clothes, raise the prices of those brands. How about something like, ‘Kang Jinseok, the modest youth, turns out to be addicted to luxury?'"
"Ah, I see."
Director 4 nodded. However, with a somewhat hesitant attitude, he spoke in a skeptical tone.
"But do we really need to do that? Anyway, once ‘Kang Jinseok's exposure' begins, he's likely to fall."
"I told you. It's a kind of ‘practice' for our journalists before the real ‘Kang Jinseok's exposure.' We have nothing to lose, so why not try it once?"
The Directors generally nodded in agreement with the words of the Director 2. Seeing this, she added one more reason.
"Also, we need to see how OS Entertainment responds to negative articles about their actors. We should see in advance. Once the ‘Kang Jinseok's exposure' starts in earnest, we'll be fighting Gene and OS Entertainment like crazy. We need to analyze their strength in advance."
"Why bother with an analysis of strength? We have around 50 reporters on our side. Will they even stand a chance against us?"
"Well, being thorough won't hurt."
"Yeah, that's true."
As Director 3 spoke in agreement, Director 2 shook her phone and said, "Shall we start the preliminary skirmish lightly?"
