Ch.87Automatic Hunting

The title of “first” always inevitably attracts attention.

That’s why journalists are obsessed with breaking news before anyone else.

Being the first to report news that no one knows about.

Receiving attention for it, and establishing an overwhelming position above everyone else.

“That feeling is truly indescribable.”

The journalist from Discapture, who boldly addressed his editor-in-chief with the informal “ya,” smiled contentedly as he looked at the article he had written.

『Flame Theater Company, What Kind of Theater Group Is It?』

[On March 12, 2013, an announcement was posted on Kim Donghu’s fan cafe.

It was announced that Kim Donghu has joined Flame Theater Company, declaring the end of his hiatus.

The member lineup is incredibly impressive.

Starting with actor Jang Geonho, then Kim Yuryeon, Han Taegeon, Seo Jinwoo, Kim Sujin, and others.

It’s a collection of what people commonly call “box office guarantees.”

Netizens are showing various reactions like “What is this all about,” “I don’t know what they’re trying to do,” “With this lineup, aren’t they just going to burn down the theater?” and so on.

They’re waiting for more details to be revealed.

What’s known so far is that these people have gathered as volunteers.

It was created to give hope to children living difficult lives,

to further ignite the spark in their hearts.

Along with a request for everyone’s participation…]

ㄴIs this for real?

ㄴThe scale is huge

ㄴWow… they’re going around performing plays as volunteers with this lineup?

ㄴI checked the cafe and they’re recruiting staff;

ㄴThe amazing thing is they’re paying the staff; the most expensive people aren’t taking money OMG

ㄴLol but the journalist must have been in a hurry, so many typos

ㄴHad to write it hastily before someone else got to it lolololol

The article content and comments were satisfying to look at anytime.

Especially watching the first digit of the view count change with each F5 refresh felt really good.

Moreover.

1. Flame Theater Company

2. Kim Donghu

3. Jang Geonho

4. Han Taegeon

5. Seo Jinwoo

6. Kim Yuryeon

7. Kim Sujin

8. Jin Myeongtae

The real-time search rankings that shot up spectacularly because of his article.

How could there be a more perfect piece of work?

‘Even the editor-in-chief said I could call him by name comfortably when something like this happens.’

Would there ever be another day when he could achieve a greater feat as a journalist?

“Hahahahaha!”

Intoxicated with joy, Doguman didn’t realize.

That his article had been written according to a thorough strategy.

That he had unwittingly placed himself in the position of publicity ambassador for Flame Theater Company.

He didn’t notice it at the time.

+++++

At the same time.

“Who do we need to contact! Who’s the main person! There must be a main contact!”

“Uh, um… Veritas? It’s Veritas!”

“Hey, you bastard! Was I asking a question just now? If you know, shouldn’t you contact them right away! Do you really want to see me blow my top?!”

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry!”

The marketing teams of various companies were all in chaos.

“The cause is so good! For orphans, for children who have lost their parents, right? To plant the seeds of hope! Flame Theater Company! How cool is that, right?!”

“That’s right! That’s right!”

“And then! If our company name slips right in there as a donation! Supporting them with our products, wouldn’t that make such a beautiful picture!”

“That’s right!”

“So, sooooo! Hurry up and contact this Veritas or whatever it is!”

Companies were always thirsty for marketing.

They wanted good marketing while simultaneously wanting to reduce marketing costs.

It was obvious.

Reduce expenses, increase sales.

That’s the most basic principle of management.

But the problem was that such methods don’t exist in reality.

In an era where even paid advertisements get criticized.

How could one promote without risk?

And that’s when Flame Theater Company appeared.

Even adding a message hoping for lots of participation!

“What else could this mean? It’s saying bow your head and come to us for proper promotion!”

“Yes, yes yes…”

“But why aren’t they answering the phone, these crazy people! Why is it busy, why!”

“Um… they might be talking with other companies…”

“So why are we late?! Aaaaargh!!!”

All the companies receiving busy signals were similarly going crazy.

In this situation, those who were smiling broadly were.

Companies that already had good relationships with the existing actors,

or more precisely, those who had them as advertising models.

CEO Choi Seokho was already mentally exhausted from dealing with them.

-So we thought our Haetbap could take care of the children’s meals, something like that.

“Oh that’s good, really good. Too good? Nothing better than food for growing kids.”

Haetbap, which already had a good relationship with Kim Donghu.

They weren’t just supporting with food.

-And our FJ also… runs a music program, right?

“Yes, yes, that’s right.”

-So we’d like to provide some support in that area too… what do you think?

“Oh, that would be wonderful for us.”

They promised to become solid sponsors of Flame Theater Company through comprehensive support.

Of course, the exact details would be finalized when proper contracts were drawn up.

But the fact that they had progressed this far verbally already said it all.

Additionally.

-I’ve heard that children often struggle with school uniform costs. So our Brilliant company would like to provide free uniforms. Would that be okay?

“Oh my, we would be grateful for that.”

Brilliant Uniforms also promised a generous donation.

After happily ending these consecutive calls, Choi Seokho.

“Phew…”

Let out a long breath.

‘The repercussions of this are no joke.’

He had expected it to be huge, but not to this extent.

The problem was that this was just the beginning.

Ring ring ring ring.

Ring ring ring ring.

Ring ring ring ring.

Ring ring ring ring.

“…CEO, please save me.”

As if refusing to give any break.

The phones at the Veritas office were ringing non-stop.

The impact was nothing short of tremendous.

The fortunate thing was that not many people knew the CEO’s personal number.

It was really nice that he could first receive proposals from the rest and evaluate them.

“Please hang in there a bit longer, I’m asking you. I’ll give you a hefty bonus this month…”

As Choi Seokho was trying to take a moment of leisure with a cup of coffee, using his CEO privilege.

Right at that moment.

Ring ring ring ring!

His phone rang violently as if saying “What coffee?”

Before he could even check who it was, his body instinctively answered the call.

-Hahahahaha! CEO Choi Seokho! What is this theater company! To prepare something so amazing! This should be made into a documentary!

He heard the familiar laughter and the sound of someone chewing cherry pie.

“Director Kim Cheoldo…?”

-Yes, haha! I’d be hurt if you left me out of such a big event! It seems like you need a lot of manpower support! How could we miss out on something like this!

“Ah, goodness… You’re right, I should have contacted you first.”

-You must be busy, don’t worry about it! Let’s skip the trivial talk, we’ll support you. We’ll film without being a disturbance, absolutely! Just don’t refuse us!

KBC.

Click.

Ring ring ring.

-To try to do something so interesting without us, it’s really regrettable.

“Di-Director Jeong Doseon?!”

-You don’t, you don’t need to raise your voice like that. I understand everything. That’s the way things work, isn’t it? We’ll join you.

SKS.

Click.

Ring ring ring.

“Director Park Seoljae?”

-Oh, judging by your reaction, it seems other people have already been in touch. I understand. The box office power of this Flame Theater Company is… beyond my measurement.

“Yes, what?”

-I wanted to film an exclusive documentary. But it seems that won’t be possible. I guess we’ll have to compete for documentary rights.

Even MNC.

Choi Seokho’s mind was reeling from the three consecutive calls that came without giving him time to collect his thoughts.

What is this? Is this even allowed?

‘They’re all rushing in like this just because we’re sitting still?’

It had only been a day.

To be precise, not even 24 hours had passed,

yet the impact was this significant?

Choi Seokho couldn’t believe that he was the major investor in such a big project.

‘Moreover, it’s now awkward to invest in Flame Theater Company.’

Investment is a term used when paying a certain portion now to expect greater value in the future.

But Flame Theater Company had established itself in a form that made such investment impossible.

Trying to realize profit from volunteer work?

What kind of beating would one get for doing such a thing?

But there was exactly one place that could realize that profit.

A management company with a crazy CEO who pulled out his house deposit and took out loans to invest in the theater company as soon as he heard Kim Donghu would be the lead.

‘Veritas.’

It’s my company.

Choi Seokho unconsciously assumed a prayer posture.

He felt like worshipping Kim Donghu.

+++++

Seoul Arts Center.

The hub of Korean arts,

a place where one can experience various world arts in Korea.

Currently, an unexpected figure was sitting in the director’s office there, drinking tea.

Slurp.

“Have you been well?”

“Yes, yes, I’ve been well. Have you been well too, senior?”

“Yes, well, as always, I’m finding joy in raising children.”

Seoul Arts Center Director Lee Hyangjun swallowed nervously.

Because he knew what the visitor had come to talk about.

“Senior, you didn’t have to come like this, we were going to…”

“What do you mean? Other companies are already in an uproar, why is the place that should be the noisiest so quiet?”

Lee Hyangjun’s senior and once the director of Seoul Arts Center.

“Should I, Edward Park, have to come like this? Anyway… I’ll get straight to the point.”

Edward Park slowly opened his mouth.

“Flame Theater Company, does it make sense for such an amazing performance to be held in Daehangno? The Seoul Arts Center should be rushing to invite them.”

The auto-hunting of Flame Theater Company had just begun.

“Especially since our student is the main character there. Kim Donghu, who is extremely, absolutely talented and… unbelievably handsome.”

As if he could be called the face of art.

Edward Park’s love for Kim Donghu was just a bonus.