Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

Chapter 311: Oh Bok-Hee (3)

The moment they realized MBS wasn't the only option, the power shifted to our side.

"Team Lead Jung! We'll let PD Oh choose the CP she wants! And for Writer Han, we'll offer 30 million won per episode given her experience with Under the Big Tree! Deal? This is the best offer. You know that, right?"

A series of truly extraordinary proposals were pouring in.

"Mr. Choi, then how much will you provide per episode for the production cost?" I asked.

"I'll raise it by 50 million per episode, making it 350 million! How's that?"

"Thank you so much. However, I'd like to revise the script fee contract."

If the writer's fee was 30 million won per episode, that would be 1.5 billion won for 50 episodes. However, what I wanted was an incentive contract.

In my past life, Hwaranjeon included a 2% guarantee clause on additional revenue and overseas rights, earning over 1 billion won.

"What's wrong with the script fee? It's already the best deal!" Choi Sang-Byung exclaimed.

"Yes, I know. But I'm not asking to raise the fee."

"Then what is it?"

"I'd like to reduce the per-episode fee in exchange for including incentive conditions in the contract."

"Incentives?"

"Yes. Depending on the percentage you offer, I'm willing to cut the fee by up to 10 million won per episode."

After briefly calculating, Choi Sang-Byung exclaimed, "1%!"

I immediately shook my head. "Please offer 3%!"

"1.5%!"

"Please offer 3%!"

"2%! No more!"

"Please offer 3%!"

"What? Look at this guy!"

"Please offer 3%!" I said insistently.

"You... if you're going to keep insisting on 3%, then shut your mouth," Choi Sang-Byung replied curtly.

"..."

"What, don't actually shut your mouth! Are you trying to pick a fight with me?" the surprised Choi Sang-Byung retorted.

"..."

"Young man, why are you being so stubborn? Let's both compromise and agree at 2%!"

I shook my head and held up three fingers. In moments like this, not retreating was the answer.

"So you're saying it's 3% or nothing? Speak up!"

"You said you'd meet all our conditions, didn't you?"

Choi Sang-Byung let out a long sigh. "Man, I've never experienced a negotiation like this in my life. Fine, 3%! But we'll lower the per-episode fee to 20 million won. Deal?"

"Deal!"

As soon as the negotiation ended, Choi Sang-Byung trembled. Although he was the one who initially proposed the drama production, he couldn't believe the situation had turned against him.

Everything was falling into place just as I wanted, from Yoo-Jin's popularity, the buzz from the lawsuit involving Writers Han Woo-Ju and Yoo Sun-Jung, In the Name of God surpassing 30% viewership ratings, and now, to other networks showing interest in Hwaranjeon.

At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan smiled with satisfaction."Shall we draft the contract then?"

Choi Sang-Byung let out a deep sigh. "If we don't get this signed quickly, who knows what else might happen. Let's sign it right away, Team Lead Jung."

With a look of utter defeat, Choi Sang-Byung contacted the legal team.

While waiting for the contract, Choi Sang-Byung asked me, "Team Lead Jung! Were you really planning to go elsewhere? You weren't, were you?"

I grinned and gave a vague response.

The truth was, I wasn't really considering going anywhere else if I could help it since MBS was the first to make an offer. Meeting other partners and negotiating contract terms from scratch would have been a real headache.

In any case, my first showdown with MBS, the leader among the three major broadcasting networks, ended in a complete victory for me.

***

As soon as we stepped out of the president's office, Oh Bok-Hee acted as if she had never been under any restrictions, and spoke to me with a bright expression. "They don't say Mr. Jung is doing well for nothing. You were quite something in there."

I scratched my head and smiled awkwardly.

She continued, "Thanks to you, my suspension was lifted. Let me know if there's anything I can do for you."

"There's nothing much I want other than the roles that Mr. Choi promised," I replied.

"Is that really all? You're not planning to interfere with the project?"

"Yes, that's really all. And how could a talent agent be involved in directing?"

"Wow, you are amazing."

Oh Bok-Hee stared at me for a moment and turned to Lee Ji-Yeon. "Ms. Lee, what's Team Lead Jung's real identity? Is he the son of a chaebol or something? Or maybe the sponsor of this drama?"

"Can't you tell? He's just a talent agent."

Oh Bok-Hee looked incredulous. "No way! You're telling me a mere talent agent can push the broadcasting president and department head around?"

Lee Ji-Yeon chuckled playfully. "You'll find out more about him gradually. But one thing's for sure—Soll-Ip, Writer Han, and I came here because of Yoon-Ho."

"So you're saying that you won't let me off easily if I get on Mr. Jung's bad side, right?"

Lee Ji-Yeon smirked. "Yoon-Ho wouldn't do anything to get on your bad side in the first place."

Oh Bok-Hee turned back to me. "We'll be seeing each other often, so we'll get to know each other gradually. But just so you know, I don't make dramas half-heartedly. The schedule will be tight and the talent agents will be screaming because of the timetable. Are you okay with that?"

"As long as you deliver good viewership ratings."

Then Yoo-Jin beside me also spoke up. "Mrs. Oh! I'll do my best too."

Oh Bok-Hee nodded. "Perfect. I'll ask CP Ryu Han-Joon to be in charge. If you have any complaints, say so now."

CP Ryu Han-Joon had 20 years of experience but wasn't able to be promoted to department head. In my past life, he left MBS with Oh Bok-Hee and helped create Hwaranjeon.

I smiled. "Please proceed as you see fit, Mrs. Oh."

"I'm already starting to like you."

Oh Bok-Hee looked at Han Woo-Ju with satisfaction. "Ms. Han, when will the script be finished?"

Han Woo-Ju grabbed her phone. "I'm not sure exactly, but I've written up to episode five so far."

"Could you give me the finished parts so I can start planning the direction?"

When Han Woo-Ju sent the script via KkTalk, Oh Bok-Hee read through it while standing.

"The further it goes, the more interesting it gets. I'll bring all the best staff within the company. Just trust me!"

"I'm counting on you."

We then planned to set a new casting schedule once around ten episodes of the script were completed.

"Alright, let's do that."

Thus, the grand project with a budget of 17 billion won took its first step, all centered around rookie writer Han Woo-Ju and drama enthusiast Oh Bok-Hee.

***

As soon as we got home, Yoo-Jin made an expression like she was in a dream. "Oppa, is it true that my fee is 110 million won per episode?"

Yoo-Jin kept asking the same question, seemingly unable to believe it.

"Of course. When you get the contract later, laminate it like Miso did," I teased her.

Yoo-Jin stuck her tongue out playfully. "Heh, I really should."

Yoo-Jin couldn't believe how much her life had changed since her days of working part-time at Burger Queen.

I had traveled back in time last December and it was August now, so it hadn't even been a full year since her life turned around.

Whenever the TV was on, Yoo-Jin's face appeared everywhere and her cutouts were displayed on the streets. Burger Queen was even planning to launch a Yoo-Jin burger and a Miso burger soon.

Looking at the dreamy-faced Yoo-Jin, I asked, "But isn't it tiring for you?"

"What is?"

"You have to start filming the next drama right after this one ends."

Yoo-Jin shook her head. "It was much worse before. I'm working less and earning way more than I used to, so what's hard about that? I'd say I'm blessed, don't you think?"

Hearing her happy response made me feel that all my efforts hadn't been in vain.

"Then how about we order something to celebrate tonight? Or should we go eat some Hanwoo beef?"

"Really?"

"Sure. Name anything. It's on me!"

Yoo-Jin smiled and replied, "Then special pork stew with rice and a plate of blood sausage!"

"Huh? Just that?"

"What's wrong with pork stew with rice? Plus, Miso loves it so much."

Even though she had signed a multi-billion won contract, she was content with just pork stew and blood sausage as a celebratory meal.

She may have become an S-class celebrity, but her desires hadn't changed much.

At that moment, the door on the second floor opened and Miso came in, holding hands with Jung In-Ji. "Mom~~ I'm home~!!"

She was dressed like a little chick with a yellow hat and yellow backpack.

Then, she saw me. "Oh? Uncle Yoon-Ho's here too? I'm home~!"

Watching Miso bow, Yoo-Jin exclaimed, "Miso, how about pork stew with rice for dinner? Uncle Yoon-Ho is buying! Oh, and blood sausage too!!"

Miso shouted with joy. "Then I want liver and lungs too!!"

At that moment, I laughed even more than when we secured the multi-billion won contract.

***

The news that we had signed a contract with MBS for Hwaranjeon left Team Jung's members in a daze in Hoop Entertainment's meeting room.

Lee Yung-Jin swallowed nervously and asked, "Mr. Jung. Miss Yoo-Jin's fee alone is 5.5 billion won, right?"

"That's right."

A brief silence followed.

The pride of finally having an S-class actor filled Team Jung with confidence.

"Wow, is this for real?"

"This is amazing~!"

"No way! 5.5 billion won for just one drama?"

Lee Yung-Jin and the others hugged each other in excitement.

"1 billion won will come in as an advance next month and the rest will be paid in installments. We'll see an additional 2 billion won in revenue from her appearances this year alone."

"At this rate, we might exceed 10 billion won this year from actors and singers combined!"

As of now, our sales through September had reached around 5.7 billion won from both actor and singer divisions.

With Haru, Lee Tae-Poong, Han Woo-Ju, and Cherry Blossom, we were well on track to hit the 10 billion mark.

"Alright. Everyone, calm down. Ms. Eun, how's Ha-Na's preparations going?"

Kang Ha-Na was going to debut on a terrestrial music show next week. Today was the day her track would be uploaded to the music charts in preparation.

"Is there any issue with the update preparations?"

"No, we'll upload the track on the Melang site at noon today."

"Got it. And when is Eve One registering their track?"

This week, Global Produce 47 aired its last episode and the project girl group Eve One was formed with the top 11 ranked members.

Eve One was also set to appear on music shows next week.

"I heard they're registering their track tomorrow."

"Understood. Oh, and make sure to remind them to carry out some publicity during Ha-Na's live broadcast later."

"Sure, will do."

After checking Kang Ha-Na's schedule, I inquired about the face meeting to decide her music show appearance slots for next week. "When are the face meetings with SBC, KBC, and MBS?"

"They're scheduled about two hours from now. Ran-Hee is on standby at KBC in case of any unexpected issues."

"Alright. I'll join after the team leads' meeting."

"Yes, Mr. Jung."

"Okay, that concludes our meeting. I'll be off to the team leads' meeting then."

"Okay! Have a good meeting!"

After wrapping up Team Jung's meeting, I headed to the meeting room on the sixth floor.

Inside, I could see Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung deep in conversation.

'Just wait a little longer...' I remarked inwardly.

Both of them were henchmen of Choi Man-Sik.

Just as Choi Eun-Tae had advised me to be patient, I had to keep my emotions in check until Choi Man-Sik was dealt with. Even though Kang Eun-Gi had almost died, I sat down as if I knew nothing.

At that moment, Kim Dong-Soo and Ju Ho-Sung's gazes landed on me. I hid my true feelings and offered them a slight nod. They flinched, but reluctantly nodded back.

Just then, Kang Gam-Chan walked in and the meeting began. "Alright. Everyone's here, so let's get started."

The meeting kicked off with reports from each division and updates from the team leads.

Next came the mention of my promotion to Chief.

Kang Gam-Chan announced, "Team Lead Jung has kept his promise and secured the Hwaranjeon contract with MBS. Let's give him a round of applause!"

At Kang Gam-Chan's words, Gu Seong-Cheol and everyone else clapped. I stood up, bowed to the team leads, and waited for what would be said next.

"The shareholders agreed with the overall proposal, but they added one condition for the promotion to Chief."

"What's the condition?"

"By the end of the year, Team Jung must achieve 10 billion won in sales."

The unexpected condition stirred murmurs among the team leads.

"That's pretty tough, isn't it?"

"10 billion won? Isn't that basically saying they don't want to promote him?"

It was because they were asking for results that far exceeded the usual division sales targets, not just on a team level.

At Hoop Entertainment, if a team surpassed 5 billion won in sales and then achieved 5 billion won again the following year, they started discussing promotion to division level.

For instance, Kim Dong-Soo, who was originally a team lead in Actor Division 1, was promoted to Chief after achieving 6 billion won in sales for two consecutive years. Subsequently, they also created Actor Division 3.

Anyway, reaching 10 billion won was an enormous sales target for a single team.

Even those who were dissatisfied about my promotion fell silent.

After all, it was as if I was being told to meet the two-year sales criteria within the remaining three months.

"Can you do it, Team Lead Jung?" Kang Gam-Chan asked.

Kang Gam-Chan's question was met with my spirited response. "Yes, Sir!"

"Good. Let's aim to create Division 4 by the end of the year."

At that moment, the vibration of a KkTalk notification buzzed. I tried to ignore it, but I had to check my phone as the notifications kept coming.

The message that greeted me was shocking.

[Do Ran-Hee: Mr. Jung! We're in big trouble! It looks like Ha-Na won't be able to appear on the music show next week!]

It was devastating news out of the blue.