<Episode 48>
It had only been a day since Spade Joker left Korea to film their reality program, but I had already received an overwhelming number of messages from their manager, Kim Jawook, who was assisting them on-site.
[Spade Joker, no issues. The locals recognized them, so they’re very excited right now.]
It was a relief that nothing seemed wrong, though it did feel a bit excessive.
‘There’s no need to go this far.’
Still, since I could see the manager was putting in effort, I replied that I was glad everything was fine and asked him to keep up the good work.
‘As long as they don’t come back injured, that’s all that matters.’
If they returned injured, it would be a big problem. Not just the fan meeting, there was a chance we’d have to adjust the comeback schedule.
‘If things go smoothly, you should just enjoy it… But every time, something ended up happening, so I can’t relax.’
Having gone through nine regressions had made me extremely sensitive.
Thankfully, Kang Woojin had been relatively quiet lately. I had no idea what he was thinking, though.
But he was still coming to the company every single day. Because of that, I was almost tempted by his now-ownerless office.
Even if his company was smaller in terms of staff and scale, the office itself wasn’t.
‘Was it the 7th run? When Kang Woojin appeared on a variety show to promote his drama, I saw it… his office was incomparably larger and more luxurious than ours.’
The money Kang Woojin earned was on a completely different level from Spade Joker. I’d once seen an article stating his per-episode fee was in the hundreds of millions of won.
He also had numerous advertisements running. On top of that, he had struck gold as a composer.
Kang Woojin was practically a walking corporation.
‘Thinking about it, his life really is enviable. Everything he touches succeeds.’
While someone else had to fail and rewind time over and over, he succeeded at everything he touched…
It was hard not to feel envious.
It wasn’t that Kang Woojin had achieved everything without effort, but the problem was that I had worked just as hard as anyone else.
‘Let’s stop thinking about this. It only harms me.’
These negative thoughts weren’t helping me at all. If anything, they were eating away at me.
‘Get a grip and focus on work.’
I turned my attention back to the documents.
Knock knock.
“Come in.”
“Director, it’s me.”
It was someone from the PR team.
“What is it?”
“It’s about our in-house content videos.”
“In-house content videos?”
“Yes. I drafted a proposal… could you take a look?”
I accepted the document.
In-house content videos.
Many agencies operated their own YouTube channels, uploading and managing promotional videos for their artists.
Larger agencies did this as a given, but smaller companies like Ramos Entertainment usually didn’t.
It required a lot of manpower and time.
‘That’s why in previous runs, we only started after moving to a new building and hiring more staff.’
I quickly skimmed through the proposal.
“You planned this yourself?”
“Yes. Is there a problem?”
“No. It’s quite good.”
It wasn’t excessive, and it focused on content fans would enjoy.
Things like having dinner with Spade Joker or visiting a jjimjilbang together.
There wasn’t much the company needed to prepare, just secure locations, film, and edit.
“You must’ve been busy with other work. When did you prepare this?”
“I worked on it little by little while watching other idol videos.”
The employee smiled shyly.
“If we go ahead with this, you’ll get even busier. Are you sure you’re okay with that?”
The current workload wasn’t light, so I needed to confirm.
‘If they say they’ll do it and later quit because it’s too much, that’ll be a problem.’
“Yes. Our team actually has less to do now than before.”
That was true.
If any team had seen a reduction in workload, it was the PR team.
Before, even securing one variety show appearance for Spade Joker was difficult, and getting a single promotional article required endless calls and flattery toward reporters.
But now things were different.
Reporters called first, asking if there was news, and variety show offers came in to the point where we could pick and choose.
That didn’t mean there was no work, but compared to other departments, their workload had definitely decreased.
“Alright, then we’ll create a separate YouTube account.”
“Yes.”
“At the beginning, don’t overdo it. Focus on simple things… what Spade Joker does in waiting rooms, what they do before going on stage. That kind of content.”
“However, there’s one concern.”
I looked at them, signaling them to continue.
“Won’t the channel feel too plain? Big agencies go on trips or create skit-style content with concepts.”
“As I said earlier, we shouldn’t overdo it at the start. Besides, fans will be happy just being able to watch Spade Joker.”
The employee nodded.
“Later, when we establish a YouTube team, how about you take charge of it?”
“…Me?”
They looked surprised.
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“You planned this, didn’t you? If you do your job well, you should receive a reward that matches it.”
I couldn’t reward them immediately, but promising the future was essential.
If someone took initiative without being asked and received no reward, who would bother doing extra work?
It would also set an example for others.
“So give it your best shot.”
“Yes!”
I returned the proposal.
“Now go back to work.”
The employee bowed lightly and left the office.
I checked the time, and it was already lunchtime.
“CEO, you should eat.”
It was Kang Woojin.
At lunchtime, he always came to my office.
It had become his routine.
At least now, he didn’t stubbornly insist on joining the company like before.
‘Did he give up?’
I hoped so, but since he was still around, I couldn’t be sure.
“What do you want to eat today?”
“Can’t we go out for once? How long am I supposed to keep eating delivery?”
“…Alright, let’s go out today.”
News that Kang Woojin had been coming to our company was already quietly spreading.
‘We can’t hide it anymore anyway.’
So instead, we spread a controlled narrative:
That we were already acquainted, and he was helping Spade Joker and other trainees with acting.
‘This is why you need a friendly reporter.’
I’d have to meet the journalist I’d been keeping an eye on soon.
We had reporters favorable to our company, but they were limited to official interviews… not the kind who’d casually spread rumors or leaks.
“Director, let’s go.”
“Alright.”
We headed to a seafood stew restaurant near the company.
“Looks like I ended up touring local restaurants with you, Kang Woojin.”
“Seems like it.”
“The fact that this has become normal is… something.”
“But honestly, you’ve benefited from me quite a bit too, haven’t you?”
I couldn’t deny that.
“I’ve thought about it more.”
“Why do you always bring this up when we’re eating?”
“Because you don’t make time for me otherwise.”
Again, I had no rebuttal.
He had asked to meet after work, but I kept refusing, saying I was busy.
“Now that you think about it, you feel a bit guilty, right?”
I said nothing.
If I denied it, it’d feel dishonest. If I agreed, he’d push for more time.
“You’re really calculating, Director.”
“Thank you. In business, that’s practically a compliment.”
Kang Woojin shook his head slightly and sighed.
“Anyway, I think you’ll like this proposal.”
“Have you finally changed your mind?”
“Could you not look so happy? That’s a bit hurtful. If you keep that up, I won’t move my desk even after a month. You know the staff like me, right?”
That actually sounded plausible, so I quickly suppressed my smile.
“You really could be an actor. Your expressions change so quickly. Anyway, what I was saying is–”
I waited eagerly for him to continue.
“How about becoming partner companies?”
“Partner companies?”
“A win-win. Helping each other when things get tough. As an actor, I’m still lacking in business matters. It’s not something you can handle just by reading documents.”
That was true.
If following procedures alone guaranteed success, no one would fail.
“So when I run into business problems, you help me. And I’ll help Spade Joker succeed as actors too.”
“Sounds good.”
“I’m glad you agreed so quickly. Then I look forward to working with you.”
“Likewise.”
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