Top Management Novel Chapter 230

Chapter 230

- Carol? All of a sudden?

Hold on, Ill co.

- Youre coming? Now?

So, before heading to the office, I stopped by Neptunes accommodation first.

We sat around the sofa table as if in a eting. Im Seoyoung handed around glasses of ice water to help us regain our senses.

I asked Itaehui first.

Hows the album work going?

I was just thinking I needed to talk about it.

Itaehui brushed back her tousled brown hair and said,

Sothing feels unsettling

Eyes rolled around like billiard balls.

Its going smoothly.

Huh?

Sothing keeps popping up in my mind, and I like everything so much I cant choose. So, Im working on all of it... Its going so smoothly its uncomfortable.

Isnt it good if its going smoothly? Why does it feel unsettling and uncomfortable?

Im Seoyoung asked.

I wanted to ask too.

Itaehui sipped her ice water as if it were vodka and continued,

Until now, every ti I chose a title, I had to pay a physical or ntal price to get the result. But this ti, it feels like Im getting it too easily. Sothing feels off.

No?

With a dumbfounded look, Im Seoyoung shook her head.

Sotis life should be a bit easier.

Its not like there havent been globally hit songs made in just a few hours by sudden inspiration. Theres actually quite a lot, right?

Eljay said, leaning back loosely.

Lee Songha also chid in.

Whether it feels like youre getting it easily or not, lets eat first and then think about it.

Thats a good idea. Lets eat first, sister.

Im hungry. Is there anything to eat?

The topic smoothly shifted to eating.

I said to the still vaguely troubled Itaehui,

As long as the work is going smoothly, try to do as much as you can. Anyway, the title will be decided by the company after a blind test. It seems like the A&R team has already received quite a few songs from composers both dostic and international.

Got it. Ill contact you when its finished.

And about what we discussed on the phone earlier.

Ah, Carol? Ill try making it.

Itaehui readily nodded.

Do you think you can handle it? If it seems too much.

No, I think I can... Its exactly that kind of feeling.

What kind of feeling?

Itaehui put her hand near her shoulder and said,

It feels like a visit from a god for a mont?

*

A successful life.

It seed like the kind of house that would unfold in the background of such an introduction.

The open front window offered a view of the Han River and a forest of buildings. The chilly marble tiles and the similarly toned interior sohow felt oppressive.

I swallowed the elastic sensation tickling my throat.

What would it feel like to live in such a place? If you added the investnt returns from 'City Jungle' to the incentives, you could buy a pretty decent apartnt. But now my expectations might be too high.

Still, one curiosity was resolved. Id always wondered who would live in such a place.

Suddenly, I envisioned myself twenty years in the future, as the director. The luxuriously oppressive office and attire. Would I be living in such a house?

Does it feel empty living alone here?

Director Baek Hansung approached with a bottle of liquor and an ice bucket.

It seems like it would feel empty even if three generations lived here.

I took a glass from Director Baek Hansung and eyed him.

Due to the Kwon Inju issue, Director Baek Hansungs na had even started appearing in the news. W&U Director Baek Hansung's failed Hollywood venture, will Kwon Inju's agency Peter Pan Entertainnt succeed? It was sothing along those lines.

So, I thought the atmosphere might be a bit tense.

Instead, he seed more relaxed than usual. Was it because he was in casual clothes compared to his usual office attire?

How about it, have you gotten used to golf?

Director Baek Hansung on the opposite side handed

a glass.

Im just faking it.

I had been regularly visiting the place Director Baek Hansung had introduced, but golf was business-oriented, not really my taste. It felt like a waste of ti.

How about next weekend? There will be a few more people, its good to know them.

Yes, the timing works for .

Executives from large planning companies, directors of broadcasting affiliates, and famously elusive film directors. These were the people I had gotten acquainted with at gatherings with Director Baek Hansung over the past few months.

As he said, they were good people to know. Perhaps even too

good.

Im thinking of expanding into content production. What do you think?

Suddenly, the conversation shifted.

Creating a content division, bringing in a few talented directors and writers. Seriously producing movies or dramas.

A content division.

It was familiar for large entertainnt companies to expand into various fields. Many already had subsidiaries that produced content. They ventured into costics, clothing, and even the food industry.

W&U was not the kind of company to expand its reach like an octopus. They had even given up on their long-pursued Hollywood venture.

So, was he planning a new business?

I pondered for a mont before responding.

If we expand, the content field would be the best. Its familiar, and nowadays, with the increase in video platforms like OTT, the value of good content continues to rise.

Thats right. As long as we have good works.

Ice clinked in the glass.

Theres no reason to doubt Manager Jeongs discernnt, so if you have a work you want to do, bring it anyti. Whether it's planning or investing, or handling it directly.

He slid an envelope with docunts towards

on the table.

Of course, we cant disappoint soone who does their job well.

And he gestured lightly for

to check.

I opened the crisp envelope and reviewed the docunts inside. I looked up, and Director Baek Hansung was smiling at .

How about it? Interested in W&U stock?

*

I hailed a taxi. The eight-lane road was packed with cars heading ho. The view from high above had seed distant, but the Han River up close was filled with tepid vitality.

It felt like I was just about to cross the boundary into unreality when I was jolted back to the road.

Stock. W&Us shares.

My stomach had been churning ever since, and now thoughts were bursting in my head like fireworks.

I snapped back to reality at the sound of my phone. It was Lee Songha.

Hey, Songha.

- Im at the brand launching event with Kwanwoo hyung right now.

The background noise was loud.

- The CEO of Peter Pan Entertainnt is here.

Peter Pan Entertainnt?

A na Id heard all day. Kwon Injus agency.

- He told

to co to Peter Pan Entertainnt after my contract with W&U ends. Theyre offering to set up a dedicated team for . Lets go to the U.S. after leaving Neptune.

What?

- When I refused, he invited Kwanwoo hyung to join too. The CEO was so confident, I wondered if hyung was considering moving companies.

Where are you now?

The taxi changed course towards the brand event venue.

The outright offer, not even subtly probing, suggested they were confident about persuading Lee Songha. Or maybe the CEO didnt care about industry regulations?

I entered the venue as soon as I arrived. The dimly lit event space with purple lighting and live band music was packed with people.

After exchanging greetings with a few familiar faces, I finally spotted Lee Songha and Lee Kwanwoo upstairs, taking photos for soone.

Ah, Manager.

Youre here?

Lee Songha pointed to a table.

Thats the person.

Salmon pink shorts suit. Even from a hundred ters away, the man stood out. The woman with him had a plain look and seed unfamiliar, but the man was definitely the CEO of Peter Pan Entertainnt, Gu Jung-min.

"Just a mont."

Leaving Lee Songha behind, I approached CEO Gu. He recognized

imdiately. His smile was sly, his expression slack like a raccoon's.

"Hey, you got here really fast?"

"Hey?"

"I'm the sa age as your CEO."

No way. He looked at least fifteen years older.

As I scanned Gu Jung-min from head to toe, he, likewise, was eyeing

when his gaze halted near my wrist.

"Wearing a nice watch, arent you?"

His drooping eyes narrowed.

"You got that from Baek Hansung, right? Fits your taste just."

"CEO Gu."

I cut him off abruptly and stated my business.

"Why do you keep bothering soone whose contract hasnt even expired?"

"Lee Songha? Just striking up a conversation since I saw her face, nothing serious. Everyone does it now and then."

"Why do you ntion my na? Makes people misunderstand."

"Ah, I ant that sincerely. Have you thought about joining our company?"

"Not interested."

"Our company is casting Kwon Inju for Hollywood. Thats for real."

CEO Gu whispered as if he was sharing a secret.

"The casting was confird a while ago, and now were just waiting for the official announcent from the production company of 'Stranger.' As soon as the announcent is made, the news will spread everywhere."

So what?

"So if Lee Songha is interested in making a move to the US, think it over well. And I'm a much better CEO to work with than that Baek Hansung guy. Right, Director Hong?"

"Not really."

Director Hong replied with a smile.

"What? Then why do you work with ?"

"Because of the money. If it werent for my shares in the company, I would have quit a long ti ago."

Disappointed by the response he didnt want, Gu Jung-min shrugged.

"Really, theres sothing wrong with that Baek Hansung guy. If hes that old and still not married, you know?"

"Maybe he chose not to."

"How co Ive been married twice during the ti he hasnt managed to marry once."

"Being divorced twice isnt sothing to brag about."

"Theres definitely sothing about him. Won should be wary of such n. When you dig into it, sothing nonsensical like a bizarre fetish cos out."

Is he crazy?

"If its not that, then what, does he eat sothing that keeps him from aging? Anyway, with such a glossy exterior, why cant he get married?"

"He might be a bachelor by choice. Or, just believe whatever you want to believe."

Director Hong waved her hand dismissively as if it was pointless to argue.

CEO Gu looked at

again.

"If you want to leave Baek Hansung, you absolutely have to co under soone like . Start your own company with Lee Songha alone? Your future will be bleak."

By this point, I was curious to see how far he would go.

No reply was needed, as he kept babbling on.

"Back in our days, half of this industry was gangsters. But that guy, even with a university education, was worse than the gangsters. Gangsters just beat you up. He makes people suffocate."

CEO Gu grabbed his own neck.

"What happens if you can't breathe?"

His hand chopped down sharply.

"You die. Just recently, soone from your company died too. Who was it, the team manager? He was known for being good at his job, but where is he now? What's he doing? You dont know."

He whispered with a sinister smile.

"So be careful, Manager Jung."

*

As soon as I arrived at work the next day, I headed to the PR departnt.

When I brought up CEO Gu, Team Leader Park burst out laughing.

"That guy, hes just jealous of our CEO."

"Really?"

He certainly seed overly emotional.

Today, the departnt head joined the conversation during his stroll through the PR office.

"Since they're the sa age and have similar careers, there used to be articles comparing them all the ti. His family was sowhat well-off. He got heavy investnts and started the business on a smoother trajectory, but it soon flipped, and it's been like this ever since."

Team Leader Park twisted his mouth.

"Every once in a while, he pops up to trip up our CEO. Like Baek Hansung, creating a vertical and hierarchical organizational culture is detrintal to creative ideas, or Peter Pan Ent. is like a family or sothing."

"Ah, a family-like company is not so great."

The PR staff frowned.

Team Leader Park continued.

"Do they really hold quarterly company outings? Four tis a year. If youre not

top-tier, every affiliated artist must attend, and each team must prepare a performance for the talent show."

"Monthly evaluations for trainees, what is this? I couldn't work in that company."

"Where did he pick up those CEO-exclusive light sticks? They even shine brighter than the average idol fan light stick."

The faces of the PR staff grew increasingly peculiar.

"Where does the joke start?"

"Its all true."

Team Leader Park answered with a straight face.

"They even fild a video of it once and posted it on the companys official account, and the affiliated artists' fans, they really gave them a piece of their mind, and it was quickly taken down."

The departnt head, holding a teaspoon in his thick fingers, spoke up.

"Weve pulled out of the US business, and they managed to make a grand entrance into Hollywood with Kwon Inju, so you can imagine how thrilled he must be."

"It's not about whether he's thrilled or not, but its a problem when he keeps bringing us up in interviews."

Team Leader Park clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"The CEO gives more interviews than the celebrities."

"Just let him enjoy it for a while, as long as he doesnt cross the line."

He relaxed and sipped his milk tea.

***

Cheongdam-dong Peter Pan Entertainnt.

CEO Gu Jung-min was sitting in a shimring golden massage chair, pondering.

"Director Hong. Jung Sunwoo, can we really not bring him to our company?"

"That wont happen. Baek CEO will hold him with shares."

Holding a watering can, Director Hong replied as she watered the plants in the staff lounge.

"They seem to get along well. Baek CEO has taken him to private gatherings several tis. That says it all, really."

CEO Gu clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.

"Honestly, our company doesnt match well with those humanistic ones. You can tell theres no warmth there, looks like they'd suck the blood out of commoners. And that guy, unfortunately, has a good eye for picking hits."

He murmured and suddenly sat up straight.

"Director Hong, Jung Sunwoo must be deciding on his next project soon?"

"Thats likely. The actors below him must be clamoring for work."

CEO Gu, as if about to shout "Eureka" from within the massage chair, said,

"When he decides on a project, should we snatch it up?"

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