Chapter 951: Godmother (4)
At my words about an unprecedented gift, the SBC's Drama Department Director Lee Gi-Do tilted his head.
"An unprecedented gift? What is it? What is it? Are you going to get Jung Yoo-Jin to appear?"
I shook my head and said, "No. I'll pre-sell half of all the ad slots for all 100 episodes of Land of Happiness."
The directors of the drama departments decided which dramas to schedule and air. However, they had another duty just as important, which was selling advertisements, the broadcasting stations' main source of revenue, to advertisers.
And I had just said I would sell those ad slots for them in advance. Half of the total ad inventory for a daily drama that ran for a full 100 episodes, no less.
Lee Gi-Do looked stunned as his voice began to tremble. "R-Really? These days, it's hard to sell all the ad slots for even a twelve-episode miniseries. And you're saying you'll sell half the total ad inventory for a 100-episode daily drama?"
"Yes."
Lee Gi-Do swallowed hard. "Then we'll raise the production budget. Up to 100 million per episode!"
Since we had already made 13 billion won through overseas drama pre-sales, the scale of the production budget was starting to change.
At that, KBC's Drama Department Director Pyo Eun-Jong, whose station spent the most on production among the three major broadcasters, had a face that was trembling with frustration. "Damn it..."
'That's why you should have trusted me.'
And beside him, MBS' Drama Department Director Kim Gyuk-Shik looked more regretful than angry that he had not made a bigger offer.
I did have things to take care of for those two separately, but for now, continuing the deal with Lee Gi-Do came first.
"Mr. Lee, I have one condition in exchange for doing that."
"Name anything! What do you need me to do?"
"Since I've guaranteed you a massive amount of money, I'd like you to take responsibility for improving the treatment of assistant writers."
Yesterday at KBC, there had been an incident where assistant writers' wages had gone unpaid. That was because the old practice still remained in which the main writers, rather than the broadcasting station, managed the assistant writers' pay. It was all so they could skim money from the assistant writers.
I asked him to use this opportunity to put an end to that kind of case. In other words, I wanted the broadcasting station itself to take responsibility and directly handle the assistant writers' wages.
Lee Gi- Do nodded. "If that's all, don't worry. Our writers' room was in chaos over that issue yesterday too. Starting now, when we pay drama writers' fees, SBC will take responsibility for all assistant writers and put them under fixed-term contracts. Will that do?"
"That's enough."
I had added this condition for Writer Lee Ji-Yeon. Getting the writer the highest possible fee was the most important thing, but I also had to consider how Lee Ji-Yeon, the godmother of the drama industry, cared about her hoobaes in the field.
Sure enough, I could see a smile spreading across Lee Ji-Yeon's face as she sat on the sofa.
'That takes care of this for now.'
Then it was time to hand him the advertisements.
"What ad rate do you have in mind, Mr. Lee?"
Lee Gi-Do thought for a moment before answering. "It's a work by Mrs. Lee Ji-Yeon, so the ad rate should be 10 million won per slot, meaning per fifteen seconds. Instead, tell them we can give a 20 percent discount if they contract for all 100 episodes."
"Understood. Then when will you schedule it?"
"We can start right away."
"We'll go with late May to early June."
"Okay."
"Then I'll begin."
After getting the information I needed, I first called President Jin Sung-Joon of Jinseong Foods.
"I called because I have something to discuss with you, Mr. Jin."
-Yoon-Ho, are you doing this again? I told you to speak casually with me.
Jin Sung-Joon, whom I had grown close to over time, always told me to speak casually whenever we talked on the phone.
"Alright, Sung-Joon hyung."
-That's much better. What's up?
"Actually, Writer Lee Ji-Yeon is doing a daily drama this time. Are you interested in buying ad slots?"
-A work by Writer Lee Ji-Yeon?
"Yes."
-Then we absolutely have to get in on it. What's the rate?
"If you buy the full package, it's discounted to 10 million won per slot."
The eyes of Lee Gi-Do, sitting in front of me, widened into circles. Just moments ago, he had said the discounted rate was 8 million won, so his expression was clearly asking why I was suddenly quoting 10 million instead.
I ignored the look and continued.
-One slot means fifteen seconds. So if we take the basic two slots, that's 30 seconds for 20 million won, right?
"Yes."
-Even for a daily drama, that's pretty steep. Guess that's what happens when it's a Writer Lee Ji-Yeon project.
"It's that reliable. And I read the script myself. It's good."
-If Yoon-Ho guarantees it, then I've got nothing to worry about. Okay. How many episodes is it? One hundred twenty? One hundred fifty?
As expected, Jin Sung-Joon agreed without much hesitation.
"For now, it's one hundred episodes."
-Then that's 2 billion won for every 30 seconds across 100 episodes. Okay, I'll do it. We've already got some new products launching this summer anyway, so we can rotate the ads.
'Right. It's about time those came out.'
There was a ramen product and an ice cream product Jinseong Foods would be releasing that summer. They were Real Bibim[1] Noodles and Real Vanilla Bar. Both products would become massive hits beloved by consumers for using twice the usual amount of ingredients. They would even be selected as the most popular products of 2021.
In that case, I had no choice but to make a reverse proposal for Jin Sung-Joon's sake. If those products exploded in popularity later and he tried to increase the ad buys then, it would already be impossible. So I casually leaked a bit of the future I knew.
"If they're summer products, I guess it's something like ice cream and bibim noodles?"
Jin Sung-Joon shouted in surprise.
-Hey, what are you? How did you figure that out too? No, Ah-Ram must've told you! Right?
-Oppa! Why would I tell him that?!
It sounded like Acting President Jin Ah-Ram was beside him, snapping back indignantly.
-You tell Chief Jung every little detail anyway.
-W-Who says I do?!
Jin Ah-Ram flared up, and the two started bickering. To stop their argument, I hurriedly spoke to Jin Sung-Joon.
"I just guessed and happened to get it right."
-Sigh, you almost gave me a heart attack. You little shaman brat. I've got a weak heart, so don't do that ever again.
It was a good thing I hadn't actually said the product names Real Bibim Noodles and Real Vanilla Bar out loud.
"But if they're new food products, they'd fit perfectly with our drama. Since you're already advertising, why not buy a few more slots? Later on, there won't be any space left even if you want in."
-Why? You think the drama's going to do well?
"Come on, how would I know?" I subtly took a step back before adding, "Still... I do have a pretty good feeling about it."
-If you say that much, then I'll take four slots. But give me a little more discount in return.
Four slots meant four fifteen-second ads. In other words, they would be covering a full minute of advertising time.
"Then I'll give you another 10 percent off."
Four slots alone meant 4 billion won in advertising fees. After knocking off 10 percent, that became 3.6 billion won.
-Okay. Let's do that.
At that moment, Jin Ah-Ram, who had taken over the phone, also offered to buy ad slots.
-Give us two slots too. We're planning a major expansion of the swimming pool facilities at our Yeongjongdo resort for the summer season. We'll also sponsor the drama, so give us the same 10 percent discount.
I glanced subtly at Lee Gi-Do. Lee Gi-Do nodded like crazy, eagerly signaling his approval.
"Alright. Then let's meet and sign the contract soon."
Jin Sung-Joon immediately replied.
-I'll be visiting the Project I.O.A filming set this week, so let's talk there.
"Yes. Then hyung, I'm with guests right now, so I'll hang up first."
Click.
The moment the call ended, Lee Gi-Do shouted excitedly in a passionate voice, "Chief Jung! I love you!"
Since Land of Happiness aired for forty minutes, the legal maximum for advertisements was four minutes. That meant they could fit sixteen fifteen-second commercials into each episode. And we had already fully sold six of them.
"Since I only gave them a 10 percent discount, please use that 10 percent toward the drama's production budget," I said.
"So that's why you only discounted it by 10 percent. Well, if the production budget goes up, the quality of the drama improves, and the staff welfare on set gets better too, so I'm all for it. Okay! I'll make sure Jinseong Foods benefits too."
"Oh, and SBC's President won't suddenly change his mind later, right?"
"If he does, I'll threaten him by saying Chief Jung said he'd pull all the advertisements. That'll work, won't it?"
'Looks like spending the day with me made him bolder.'
I grinned and picked up my phone. "Then shall we try selling some more?"
"Of course!" Lee Gi-Do started dancing in excitement.
Meanwhile, the face of Pyo Eun-Jong sitting beside him, had turned purple, looking moments away from exploding.
I had already made him fully realize the cost of not choosing me, so I planned to smooth things over with him shortly. If I became complete enemies with the KBC drama department director, that would cause problems for me too.
Still, before that, it was more important to fully demonstrate my negotiating skills and connections so that from now on, he would never again entertain other thoughts during negotiations with me.
***
After contacting Daechon Inc., LM Clothing, LT Foods, and several others, 3 minutes and 30 seconds out of the 4 total minutes of advertising sold out instantly. And this was for a 100-episode daily drama.
At that, Lee Gi-Do looked ready to pass out from happiness. "Hahaha! This is insane! Absolutely insane!"
As Lee Gi-Do danced and cheered excitedly, the bitter Pyo Eun-Jong abruptly rose from his seat. "Mrs. Lee. I think I'll... be going now."
Even Kim Gyuk-Shik stood up with a bitter expression. "I should... get going as well."
Just as Lee Ji-Yeon was about to wave them off, I spoke first. "Are you really leaving like this? I prepared something separately for the two of you."
Pyo Eun-Jong flared up. "Prepared what? Another show where we sit here and watch SBC sell out all their ads?"
'As if.'
I had already shown them my negotiation skills and connections. Now it was time to placate them.
I answered, "Of course not."
"Forget it. Whatever it is, it'll just make me feel worse comparing it to SBC. I'm leaving..."
Pyo Eun-Jong waved his hand dismissively.
Just then, Kim Gyuk-Shik sat back down with a sour expression.
Thud.
"It's not like I'm busy anyway, so I'll stay and watch. I lost the daily drama because I didn't trust Chief Jung's words, but this time, I think I'll trust him."
"Director Kim!" shouted Pyo Eun-Jong.
"You're too loud, so make your decision already. What are you going to do? Leave, or sit down?"
Pyo Eun-Jong agonized over it like crazy before finally sitting back down as well.
Thud.
"Damn it. But try rubbing salt in the wound again. I won't see you anymore, Chief Jung."
"Yes, sir."
I shrugged and called the final advertiser. It was Kim Cheon-Seok, the executive director of Public Relations at Seven Stars Electronics, Korea's number one company.
-Oh, Chief Jung. It's been a while.
"Yes, sir. It's been too long since the last Galactica ad. Have you been well?"
-Of course. I've been doing fine.
Kim Gyuk-Shik and Pyo Eun-Jong stared wide-eyed at my direct line to Kim Cheon-Seok, an executive director at Seven Stars Electronics, Korea's top conglomerate. With the two of them watching, I brought up the ad sales for Land of Happiness.
After hearing the situation, Kim Cheon-Seok replied.
-A drama by Writer Lee Ji-Yeon, and Chief Jung's pick at that. I'll buy six slots. Three at the front and three at the back.
As expected of the best advertiser, Seven Stars Electronics requested six slots at once, meaning a full minute and thirty seconds.
"I'm sorry. Two slots is the limit."
Kim Cheon-Seok spoke in a slightly sharp tone.
-Chief Jung, come on. That's not right, is it? Are you saying Seven Stars isn't the number one advertiser?
Since Seven Stars Electronics was Korea's top company, he seemed upset about being pushed back in advertising priority. However, even if it was Seven Stars Electronics, my priority was Jinseong Inc., Hoop Entertainment's white knight, and my people.
I looked across at Kim Gyuk-Shik and began to speak. "Mr. Kim, why don't you take just two slots for Mrs. Lee Ji-Yeon's project, and put the rest into MBS' next new drama?"
I saw the corners of Kim Gyuk-Shik's mouth rise.
-MBS' next new drama?
"Yes. The drama version of She Was Beautiful, starring Yoo-Jin and being submitted to the Bucheon International Film Festival in July, will air on MBS. We've left the number one advertiser spot open there."
-Hmm... Is that so...?
As Kim Cheon-Seok thought it over, I looked at Pyo Eun-Jong and continued.
"And before that, from late May to August, we've also left ad slots open for KBC's Haze. We've left the number one advertiser spot open there too."
Kim Cheon-Seok's voice brightened.
-Haze is the one with Ju Yung-In and Miso, right?
"Yes."
-Alright. Then we'll take two slots for Writer Lee Ji-Yeon's daily drama, and Seven Stars will go into both MBS and KBC too.
'Yes! It's done.'
I clenched my fist and asked carefully.
"Then may I ask how many slots you'll take for MBS and KBC?"
-What else? Six slots. Forty-five seconds each at the front and back.
"Thank you, Mr. Kim!"
-I should be the one thanking you. After using Yoo-Jin and Miso as models, our product sales increased by 15 percent.
After a little more conversation, I hung up.
Tap.
I grinned as I looked at Kim Gyuk-Shik and Pyo Eun-Jong. "Are you satisfied?"
Kim Gyuk-Shik laughed heartily and said, "You haven't had breakfast yet, right? Then breakfast is on me today. Is that answer enough?"
Just as I was about to say yes, Pyo Eun-Jong, who had been fuming only moments ago, quickly changed his expression and shouted, "What are you talking about? I've wronged Chief Jung so much that I absolutely have to treat him. So everyone move aside! If anyone's buying breakfast, it's me!"
After I handed him Seven Stars Electronics' advertising money, he changed his attitude and acted warmly, as though he had never been hostile to me. Nothing worked better than financial therapy.
Then Lee Gi-Do puffed himself up and said, "Hahaha. Those of you who barely earned anything should save your money today. To celebrate SBC's complete sellout, we'll treat everyone generously. You two can order anything you want!"
Kim Gyuk-Shik snapped. "Hey, Director Lee! Did you sell those ads? It's Chief Jung who sold them. Why are you acting so proud?"
Pyo Eun-Jong answered back. "Exactly. You bastard, Lee Gi-Do. The more I see you, the less shame you have."
Thankfully, the three of them had completely forgotten any resentment toward me and were busy fighting among themselves again.
'Could we maybe eat first before doing this?'
***
We ordered the ttukbaegi bulgogi set meal Lee Ji-Yeon wanted and talked about the drama industry while we ate.
Then Lee Gi-Do spoke with the station president and ended up raising the writer's fee all the way to the 40 million won Pyo Eun-Jong had mentioned. He also promised to invest 140 million won per episode into the daily drama's production budget before leaving with the other directors.
The moment the directors left the house, Lee Ji-Yeon sat down on the sofa with a smile. "Yoon-Ho, you've started wrapping broadcasting station directors around your finger now."
"It's only possible because you're backing me up, Mrs. Lee."
"So humble... And thank you."
"It's nothing. With your career, you deserve at least this much."
Lee Ji-Yeon shook her head. "I'm not talking about the writer's fee. I mean bringing up the treatment of assistant writers in the middle of the negotiations."
Just as expected of the godmother of the drama industry, she cared more about looking after the people around her.
"I'll continue doing my best."
"What you're doing now is already enough."
Taking advantage of the warm atmosphere, I carefully asked Lee Ji-Yeon something I had been curious about. I wanted to see if I could uncover a clue about why the characters and story of Land of Happiness were so much better now compared to before the regression.
"Mrs. Lee. Why did you leave such a good project sitting around? Was it because the daily drama writer's fees were too low?"
"No."
"Then why...?"
Lee Ji-Yeon smiled softly and suddenly asked an unrelated question. "Yoon-Ho. What did you think after reading my script?"
"It was a work where every character felt alive. Especially the way Yoon Na-Ra healed her younger siblings' pain while also finding happiness for herself. That part was especially good."
Land of Happiness was the story of Yoon Na-Ra and her siblings, who were scattered apart after their parents died in a car accident, before reuniting and searching for happiness again. Even before the regression, viewers became fans of the family as they raged over the suffering the siblings endured, laughed at their joyful moments, and cheered for their efforts.
Only the first thirty episodes of the script had been completed so far, but the overall framework of the story had not changed much from the past. However, there was one clear difference between the current version of Land of Happiness and the version I had seen before the regression.
In the current version, the child actors had far greater importance. Especially Yoon Kkot-Nim, one of the fraternal twins who ended up in a wheelchair after the car accident with her parents. Compared to before the regression, her amount of dialogue had increased at least fivefold. She was far more believable, far more heartbreaking, and naturally stirred sympathy.
Then, as if she had read my thoughts, Lee Ji-Yeon brought up Yoon Kkot-Nim herself. "Then what did you think about Yoon Kkot-Nim?"
I answered, "For a child character, she had an incredible amount of importance. It was obvious at a glance how much affection you had for writing her."
In Land of Happiness, the tragedy surrounding Yoon Kkot-Nim's family was the core driving force of the early story. On Yoon Kkot-Nim's seventh birthday, her exhausted mother and father returned home late at night after losing only Yoon Kkot-Nim's present among the twins' gifts.
Upset that she alone didn't get a gift, Yoon Kkot-Nim threw a tantrum, and her overworked parents took her out to buy another present, only to die in a car accident. Yoon Kkot-Nim herself injured her leg in that accident and ended up confined to a wheelchair.
But despite being only seven years old, people at the funeral pointed fingers at her and called her "the child who killed her parents." After hearing that, Yoon Kkot-Nim suffered severe shock and became consumed by guilt and anguish until she was mentally shattered. And the early part of the story was about Yoon Kkot-Nim's family stepping in to help her.
In other words, child actress Yoon Kkot-Nim was the most important character in the current script. This made it impossible to understand why such a vivid and essential character had, before the regression, been reduced into a frustrating burden dragging down her older sister, eventually fading into irrelevance after viewers criticized her.
On top of that, the current script felt far more believable and realistic, making it seem likely to become even more popular.
'It was already a huge success before the regression, but this version feels like it'd become an even bigger hit...'
As someone who was fairly good at judging scripts, if I had to choose, I would pick the current version without hesitation.
Lee Ji-Yeon nodded and said, "Like I thought, you really know how to read a script. You're right. Kkot-Nim is my favorite character. That's why I couldn't bring this script out for the last two years."
'Wait...She didn't want to make this daily drama because of Yoon Kkot-Nim?'
I asked, "What exactly do you mean? You didn't bring out this script because of Yoon Kkot-Nim?"
"Well..."
Lee Ji-Yeon began explaining the reason she had kept the script hidden.
And at that moment, the secret behind how this excellent current script had once been altered, and how Yoon Kkot-Nim had been reduced to a background character, finally began to surface.
1. Bibim means "mixed" in Korean ☜
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