As soon as I say this, the three of them beco as silent as if they had honey in their mouths. Ask if Youngju will sell the painting. She probably won't, even for a billion won?
I smile slyly and gesture towards the flat wooden platform.
“Purchase the painting when you go to Seoul and et Youngju in person, and start with the food. Sashimi doesn’t taste good if it's left in the air for too long.”
Realizing that they cannot obtain the painting by pressuring the artist, who has already decided on the owner, the two finally sit down on the bench. I offered Monica a bottle of soju and asked her.
“Monica, did you co from Italy?”
Monica receives the drink and shakes her head.
“I ca from a logistics center in Hong Kong. A reporter ca to interview and asked if it’s true that I’m in charge of sothing because we're sowhat involved. I asked what that ant, and they said it’s a widespread rumor in Korea! Shocked, I searched Korean news and couldn’t believe what was happening. I imdiately dropped everything and ca to Korea, but couldn’t find Ban, so I pestered Director Youngju to find this place.”
Wow, Monica ca all the way from Hong Kong after hearing about . Yeah, it’s hard to get news about Korea in Italy instantly. But I’m so grateful she ca right away.
“Thank you, Monica.”
“What are you talking about! I should have co. I'm sorry I was late. I was so worried about Ban that I couldn’t concentrate on anything.”
“Haha.”
I smiled warmly, grateful, and then looked at Irina.
“Where did you co from, Irina?”
Irina, who was wrapping sashimi in lettuce and munching, hastily swallowed and wiped her mouth before answering.
“I ca straight from a performance in England. I heard similar questions from reporters and found out what was happening after searching.”
“Wow, you ca from England for ?”
“If Ban is cornered, of course, I should co. You are my benefactor.”
“Haha.”
I finally looked at Minyoung. She quietly picked at the sashimi and said,
“W Tree Group's PR departnt is currently planning a counter-strategy in the dia. Don’t worry, Artist Ban. It’s a direct order from the mother in the PR departnt, so the public opinion will change soon.”
“Haha…”
Lady Kang herself has moved for . I’m so grateful. With the power of W Tree Group, public opinion can change in no ti.
But I put my gratitude in my heart and shook my head.
“Don’t do that.”
Monica and Irina, who didn't understand Korean, just looked astonished as Minyoung’s eyes widened.
“You’re saying not to do it? Artist Ban, do you know what the public opinion is like right now? They’re painting you as a stubborn and obstinate artist.”
“Yes, I know.”
“That guy Yonghan or sothing is appearing on TV and radio every day, pretending not to and broadcasting against you. And you want us to just sit by?”
I smiled slightly.
“Just convey my thanks to Lady Kang and tell her not to take any action.”
“What are you thinking, Artist Ban?”
At that mont, Monica and Irina complained.
“Speak in English, Minyoung.”
“Yeah, let us understand too.”
I laughed and spoke in English.
“Monica.”
“Yes?”
“Did you face opposition when you started your business?”
Monica pouted her lips.
“Of course. The existing brands don’t want to lose their share. They use their strears to upload brand comparison videos, subtly not recomnding our brand.”
“What do you do then, Monica? Respond in kind?”
Monica leaned her chin on her hand and thought for a mont before shaking her head.
“No.”
I looked at Minyoung, who then interjected.
“You don’t respond the sa, but you must have a plan.”
Monica nodded.
“That’s right. But we don’t deal with the dia. We don’t have the capacity for that. I’m too busy to even think about it.”
I asked Monica,
“What’s your strategy?”
Monica just smiled, but that was enough of an answer for . I turned to Minyoung and said,
"So does W Tree Group respond the sa way?"
"..."
"Mrs. Kang, who has been in the hotel business since the 1950s, wouldn't make that choice, would she?"
"..."
I finally look at Irina. She is the exception in this matter. No one on this planet would dare speak ill of her.
Chewing sashimi, Irina ets my eyes and grins broadly.
'Ha-ha, who would think of her as a world-renowned pianist?'
Irina shows this side of herself only in front of . No, correction. Only in front of these mbers.
I enjoy seeing her unpretentious side.
I address the three of them,
"If other brands criticize the quality of your brand, I’ll just release high-quality, well-designed products that will make their words fall flat. If other hotels criticize ours, we just need to provide better service than them. The reaction might be slow, but it will be genuine and reach people eventually.”
The three of them nod in agreent.
"Art is no different."
They all shut their mouths at my words. It’s not wrong.
I smile and turn to Min-Young.
"Please tell Mrs. Kang to stop what she was planning. And may I ask for one more favor?”
“What is it?”
I gaze quietly at the sky and then say,
"In two years. I want to hold a solo exhibition at the theater. Is that possible?"
Min-Young looks at quietly and then nods with a smile.
"A head-on approach, I see. It's an honor, Mr. Ban."
Read ahead by supporting on Ko-fi
.
Reviews
All reviews (0)