episode_0171

Kim Iso immediately answered the phone.

“Hello.”

“Hello. I’m Director Yusaku’s interpreter.”

“Yes. I have your number saved.”

The person on the other end was none other than Director Yusaku’s personal interpreter. Of course, Kim Iso had added the number a long time ago.

The interpreter said,

“I’m currently with Director Yusaku, and as you know, he doesn’t speak Korean very well. So he’d like to have a conversation with you via speakerphone through me. Is that alright with you?”

“Of course. That’s perfectly fine.”

Kim Iso nodded and quickly left the filming set. She could trust Soo-ah and Yeon-joo enough. They could finish up well even without her watching.

“First of all, I assume CEO Kim Iso knows that Director Yusaku is currently in Korea?”

“News articles have already been published, so how could I not know? I also know that the scriptwriter is living with the Lee Geum-sook group.”

“I see. In other words, you’re close enough to agree to a meeting at any time. Director Yusaku is wondering when a meeting between you can take place.”

Kim Iso was able to gain confidence at this point.

Usually, even if you’re eagerly anticipating a meeting, you don’t show it. Because that itself is an act of declaring yourself as the weaker party in a negotiation.

But Director Yusaku expressed his position quite frankly. It was as if he was trying to appeal his desire for Soo-ah as much as possible, even at the cost of disadvantage.

Kim Iso quickly calculated in her head.

“First of all…”

It didn’t take even a few seconds to finish the calculation.

“Thank you for expressing your desire for Soo-ah. But it’s impossible to arrange a meeting right away. Soo-ah is so busy these days that she doesn’t have time.”

This wasn’t a strategic push and pull, but a fact. Soo-ah, whose value had skyrocketed, was lacking even if she had two bodies these days. No, even five would be insufficient.

Then the other side asked,

“Then, is anything other than a meeting alright?”

“What do you mean by ‘other’?”

“The director wants to see Soo-ah’s acting in person. Writer Sawako too. She’s very curious about the person who played the lead role in her script.”

“That’s not difficult. So, the director and Sawako, the two of them?”

“Well, that’s what it was originally, but…”

The representative trailed off for a moment.

“We’d like to ask for one more person to be added.”

“Who is it?”

“Sawako’s mother.”

Kim Iso’s mind spun quickly.

Sawako is only a middle school student with a physical disability. So it’s perfectly normal for a guardian to accompany her. But the problem is…

‘Sawako’s mother, then it’s Akiko-jakka nim?’

Minami Akiko is no ordinary parent. Isn’t she a highly popular, gold-handed writer in Japan?

‘She’s also incredibly busy, and she’s made a lot of money. It’s strange that she’s coming directly without hiring someone. There must be another reason.’

Kim Iso thought her judgment was reasonable.

It’s strange to think that she’s accompanying her purely out of concern for her daughter. If that were the case, she should have come to Korea with Sawako from the beginning.

‘…Of course, only they know the details, but this is a proposal with no reason to refuse. Rather, we should be begging them to come see us, but they’re offering to come on their own? We have to do it no matter what.’

Kim Iso recalled what she saw on the filming set just now.

‘Soo-ah is really at her peak these days. It’s unbelievable.’

Just when she felt like there was nothing more to wish for, Soo-ah showed something even greater. This time, too, she did. What was that suddenly deep and heartfelt tone?

Therefore, Kim Iso could smile.

‘It’s foolish to say this as it is.’

However, she didn’t convey the situation as it was.

“Soo-ah is so busy these days, I’m not sure if she’ll be able to perform to her full potential. Um, is that still alright?”

“The director says he’d be happy just to see her.”

“Alright. Don’t expect too much, and I’ll consult with the on-site production team and contact you right away. It will be difficult to view if they strongly express their disapproval on site.”

“The director says he’s grateful just for you asking. Ah, and one last thing…”

The interpreter continued.

“If Soo-ah has mentioned anything about Sawako’s screenplay, he’d like you to tell him.”

“Mentioned…”

Kim Iso had even received a promise from Soo-ah that she would ‘absolutely not go back on her word,’ but she hesitated to say that.

“…Um, well, she didn’t seem uninterested.”

Making the other party desperate is basic.

Although the other party was a terrifying giant, and therefore it took crazy courage every time she played psychological warfare, she willingly did it anyway. Because she intended to make Soo-ah a big shot at all costs.

◈◈◈◈◈

The next day.

Soo-ah arrived at JKBC broadcasting station from the morning.

Kim Iso was unable to accompany her due to her busy schedule. Apparently, it was time to punish Yeon-joo’s malicious commenters? Thanks to that, Soo-ah had to go to the battlefield alone today.

Um, no, when you think about it, she’s not alone, is she?

─I’m here, aren’t I?

Yoo Han-soo-ah raised her head proudly. Yeah, she definitely felt reassured thinking that she was with Soo-ah Association.

─I looked it up and found that JKBC, unlike other general programming channels, is actively pursuing commercial success? Especially in the entertainment sector, it’s amazing. They have a lot of hit shows too.

Soo-ah nodded.

‘When I looked up the shows I enjoyed, most of them were JKBC entertainment shows. I was surprised.’

─There are a lot of popular entertainment shows, and they know how to target the 2050 generation well. You’ve made it, Soo-ah- sunbae nim.

‘I guess. It’s nice to have made it, but…’

Soo-ah swallowed hard. She was very nervous.

When you think about it, it was a strange thing.

Today’s meeting was with Kang Hyun-sung PD of entertainment.

But he called Soo-ah to JKBC broadcasting station instead of the M്യൂTube entertainment conference room. She was really curious about the reason for that.

As she was holding those thoughts and entered the hallway.

“Hey, Hyun-sung-ah. Isn’t this a bit much?”

“Director. Please reconsider just once.”

“I’ve already thought about it enough. Can’t you reconsider? Please, let’s be careful.”

Soo-ah stopped walking.

For some reason, it felt like she had to. Because Kang Hyun-sung PD and the middle-aged man were having a very serious conversation with serious faces. It was obviously serious.

Come to think of it, Kang Hyun-sung PD called that man director. The middle-aged man with graying hair said,

“I admit that the planning itself is original. But there are too many controversial elements. Once people start picking on national statements, there’s no end! How are you going to handle it?”

“Of course, we have to check it in advance.”

“Really? Okay. Let’s say that you perfectly censor everything, even with a hundred concessions. Then who will be the Korean representative? Finding such talent is like picking stars from the sky, isn’t it?”

“That’s…”

Kang Hyun-sung PD, who was wearing a snapback backwards like a playful child, couldn’t continue his words. Because he had met Soo-ah’s eyes, who was standing on one side of the hallway around that time.

The director urged.

“See, you think there aren’t many, don’t you? If you put an entertainer, the image is light, and if you put a real expert, it’s not fun. The planning is good, but it’s not realistic.”

But after that, when Kang Hyun-sung PD didn’t answer, the director’s gaze belatedly moved. He finds Soo-ah.

It was a fleeting moment before his eyes grew three times bigger.

“Pure white hair? Huh? Kim Yu-han?”

Apparently, the first thing that came to mind was Kim Yu-han.

“Kim Yu-han! It’s Kim Yu-han! Lee Soo-ah!”

Kang Hyun-sung PD nodded only then.

“Why isn’t there? Director, she’s right here.”

“You don’t mean? The person you had in mind as the Korean representative?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

Kang Hyun-sung PD raised the corners of his lips.

“Can I go to the meeting now? I came back to the broadcasting station after a long time. Don’t doubt me too much, and please push me along warmly. Please!”

“Ahem… If it’s Soo-ah-ssi, it’s a different story.”

After that, the director smiled kindly as if they had never argued.

“Hehehe, Soo-ah-ssi, welcome. Is this your first time at JKBC broadcasting station? More than that, my daughter really enjoyed Special Task Force 808, if it’s alright, can I get your autograph…”

While Soo-ah was giving the director her autograph, she was actually lost in other thoughts. The planning is good, but it’s not realistic? Korean representative? What is all of this talk? She was just curious.

.

.

.

.

.

After that, the full-fledged meeting started.

‘Whoa, the facilities are no joke.’

That was Soo-ah’s first impression.

The JKBC Entertainment Bureau conference room was spacious and stylish. It really felt like a broadcasting station. Soo-ah struggled to hide her desire to look around like a child.

Kang Hyun-sung PD opened his mouth first.

“Soo-ah-ssi must be having a hectic time these days, right? These days, every time I turn on the internet, there’s nothing but Soo-ah-ssi’s story. You’ve even taken the main spot in Jooge Korea’s summer special?”

“It just happened that way. Thank you.”

“We worked hard to plan this so that it can catch the eye of Soo-ah-ssi, who’s walking on clouds these days. Take a look.”

“Ummm, before that.”

Soo-ah wanted to address the things she was curious about first.

“Why are we having the meeting here today?”

“The scale has gotten a bit bigger. It’s not just a M്യൂTube entertainment show anymore, but a JKBC official entertainment show. You can think of it as Soo-ah-ssi receiving more benefits.”

“And I heard the words ‘Korean representative’ earlier. I’m curious about what that exactly means.”

“That’s also a problem related to the entertainment show we prepared. I’ll explain it to you step by step from now on.”

Kang Hyun-sung PD carefully handed over the proposal.

“…”

Soo-ah’s eyes widened. I still don’t understand anything!

Soo-ah stupid!

Just when she was thinking that she had no choice but to borrow the power of Kim Yu-han, Kang Hyun-sung PD opened his mouth.

“As you can see, it’s a format where people from each country are gathered to have a discussion. We’re avoiding topics that are too sensitive or difficult, and the goal is to deal with cultural differences in a pleasant way.”

“If you’re dealing with it in a pleasant way, then?”

“Like, the way you seduce a person you like, or the way you reconcile when you fight with a friend… Things that are really trivial, but are definitely different from country to country.”

Soo-ah was inwardly surprised.

‘…What? It’s actually going to be fun?’

The scale of gathering people from each country was also large, but the topic was quite original. How fun would it be to discuss the different ways to propose in each country? How can you not watch it!

Playful Kang Hyun-sung PD continued his words.

“For reference, there are no fixed members. We’re thinking of changing the foreign panelists every three episodes. It’s not fun to keep seeing only German people, so French, and after French, Italian… We’re trying to show as much variety as possible.”

“Ah.”

“But the Korean representative who will hold the center is fixed. We need talent who will be the main character and identity of this entertainment show, is fluent in foreign languages, and speaks well…”

Kang Hyun-sung PD’s eyes flashed.

“…We’ve come to the conclusion that Soo-ah-ssi is perfect for the role.”

“Me?”

Soo-ah asked back without realizing it.

It was only after three beats that she understood.

‘Me? You’re telling me to be the Korean representative? So, the main of Kang Hyun-sung PD’s broadcasting station comeback is me?’

Just participating in Kang Hyun-sung PD’s broadcasting station comeback was a staggering fact, but he was even recommending Soo-ah to the amazing position of ‘Korean representative.’

Soo-ah Association was in an uproar.

─Isn’t that something that shouldn’t be done in principle?

─Ah-hae-ya, wouldn’t it be a big problem if you were the representative?

─It is a dangerous position for Soo-ah- sunbae nim.

Yeah, Soo-ah knows too. Even though it’s an entertainment show, the Korean representative was too unsuitable of a position for Soo-ah. That’s why she keeps having a lot of worries even in the midst of trembling so much.

On the other hand, Kang Hyun-sung PD was carefully watching such Soo-ah. In his eyes, it seemed like the expressionless Soo-ah didn’t like the current proposal.

Therefore, Kang Hyun-sung PD hurriedly added.

“Soo-ah-ssi, I promise you the best conditions. Since it’s an entertainment show officially made by the broadcasting station, we can give you benefits that can’t even be compared to the last M്യൂTube entertainment show.”

“Umm…”

“Besides, the filming atmosphere will be fun too. It’s a place where young people from each country gather.”

“Umm…”

Soo-ah ummm… Soo-ah worrying…

Soo-ah worried like that for a long time and then.

“Ah, um, as expected, it’s a bit…”

This was purely Soo-ah’s coward side. She can’t receive any help from special traits in entertainment, right? So taking on the heavy responsibility of Korean representative is still too dangerous.

Yeah, that’s all it meant, but.

“…Ah! Could it be?”

Kang Hyun-sung PD’s eyes widened.

“Does Soo-ah-ssi want to be the Japanese or American representative?”