Chapter 149: Absorption (5)

Translator: Dreamscribe

Kang Jae-ha had decided to accompany CEO Han Tae-sung on his business trip to the United States. The date had just been finalized as April 19th. Since Jae-ha had been the one to steer them toward that date, he simply nodded without questioning it.

"April 19th, understood."

It was less than a month away. CEO Han Tae-sung, dressed neatly in a white shirt and tie without his suit jacket, crossed his legs.

"By the way, about 'K:FESTA'."

"Yes."

"Some interesting news came out a few days ago. You saw it too, right?"

There were various reasons for CEO Han Tae-sung's business trip to LA in the United States, such as assessing the state of Hallyu and surveying the market, but 'K:FESTA' was a major one. That was because 'HG ENM' had approached him with a sponsorship proposal. As a result, CEO Han Tae-sung had recently taken a keen interest in 'K:FESTA', so there was no way he wouldn't know about the issue that had surfaced a few days ago.

"HG ENM chose that 'MEG' as the Running Mate for 'K:FESTA'."

CEO Han Tae-sung murmured calmly as he rubbed his chin.

"No, considering how badly things had been going, I suppose it'd be more accurate to say 'MEG' chose 'K:FESTA'. In a way, 'MEG' saved HG ENM."

"Is that how you see it?"

"They said they'd lowered the initial Investment Funds for the Running Mate to 8 billion won, remember? Even then, no company or Investment Firm was willing to step forward. If they'd been left alone, it would've fallen to 6 billion, maybe even 5 billion, but 'MEG' reached out at 8 billion. So they really were the savior, because the more the initial Investment Funds were cut, the more of that funding hole would've had to come straight out of HG ENM's pocket."

"Why do you think 'MEG' agreed to 8 billion won instead of waiting for it to get cheaper?"

"Who knows. It's only a guess, but if it got cheaper, competition would inevitably become fiercer. They probably wanted to avoid that. Two or three billion won would be pocket change to 'MEG'. They must've seen potential in 'K:FESTA' too."

Their conversation was deep enough to sound like one between a CEO and a Director. It was proof that CEO Han Tae-sung regarded Kang Jae-ha as something far more than just a manager. In any case, Jae-ha looked at the faintly smiling CEO Han Tae-sung and thought.

'As expected, this man has one hell of a nose for money.'

Whether it was following the flow of money, grasping the situation, or having an eye for opportunities, CEO Han Tae-sung was indeed well above average. Then CEO Han Tae-sung met Kang Jae-ha's eyes.

"What do you think?"

"I see it much the same way, instead of waiting for it to get cheaper, they bought 'K:FESTA' easily and conveniently once the price was reasonable enough. They probably took advantage of HG ENM's desperation too."

"CEO Seok Ji-yeon, huh- She probably has everything riding on this second 'K:FESTA', I've heard rumors that her position is shaky. So of course she'd be desperate."

Just as Jae-ha's eyes took on a peculiar look, CEO Han Tae-sung rested his chin on his hand.

"Anyway, that's made me even more interested in 'K:FESTA' and 'MEG'. Especially 'MEG'."

"Yes."

"Should I say they're on an unusually hot streak- Investment Firms that stand out like that do emerge from time to time, but there's something different about 'MEG'."

The smile on CEO Han Tae-sung's face deepened as he propped up his chin.

"There has to be someone inside 'MEG'. Someone with an incredible nose for money."

"They are growing quickly."

"In this business, rapid growth means money. It means they're sitting on a substantial amount of cash. On top of that, whether it's projects or anything else, they're picking out only the tastiest things to gobble up. Calling it rapid growth doesn't even do it justice. They're at monster level. They're swallowing up the market at an incredible pace. It's gotten to the point where it'd be impossible not to be wary of them."

"They seem to be bothering you quite a bit."

"They hold purely domestic capital with no connection to overseas funds. That's unprecedented and one of a kind. There hasn't been an Investment Firm like that until now."

CEO Han Tae-sung rose from the sofa and moved toward his desk as he continued.

"The way they're rapidly absorbing the best of the best from every part of the industry, like Moon Ji-a and Director Yu Gil-tae, is another example. We lost two to them too, didn't we?"

He was referring to Yoon Da-yeon and Ahn Ji-hee. Though even so, it hadn't been a major blow to Leon Entertainment.

"So of course we have no choice but to be wary."

CEO Han Tae-sung picked up several reports and sat back down on the sofa.

"Meanwhile, 'MEG' is also attempting things no one else has tried. Just look at 'Condensation: Euphoria'. I'd never even heard of a Total Production Cost of only 1.5 billion won. They're already doing things like that, and 'MEG' will keep stirring up the market in the future."

There was no way CEO Han Tae-sung could know that 'MEG's Financier, its owner, was sitting right in front of him. CEO Han Tae-sung shot him a look telling him to state his thoughts, and Kang Jae-ha, the Backer behind 'MEG', answered dryly.

"'MEG'. We should be wary of them, but it'd be better to keep them close rather than make them an enemy. Or take up a position that's neither too far nor too close."

CEO Han Tae-sung smiled faintly and murmured inwardly.

'As expected, this guy is cut from the same cloth as me.'

He nodded quietly.

"That's what I think too. We should learn what we can from them, and if there's something to gain, we should join hands with them too. With caution as the foundation."

CEO Han Tae-sung already seemed to regard 'MEG' as a serious competitor.

"The stronger the enemy, the closer you keep them. That's a fact."

A little later.

After leaving the CEO's office, Kang Jae-ha's phone let out a long vibration. It was a call, and the caller was CEO Seok Ji-yeon of 'HG ENM'. Jae-ha put the phone to his ear as he stepped into the elevator.

"Yes, CEO-nim."

Jae-ha answered the call as Director Kim Ha-jae, and CEO Seok Ji-yeon's voice came through.

"Director. It's written on the schedule I sent you as well, but I'm planning to head to the United States soon to conduct market research and scout locations for 'K:FESTA'. Would you be interested in coming too? Since we're Running Mates, I thought it might be useful in various ways if we went together. Of course, our side can go on its own as well."

After hearing her out, Kang Jae-ha immediately asked.

"When exactly is 'soon'?"

"We leave on April 21st."

Jae-ha was heading to the United States with CEO Han Tae-sung on April 19th. Finding the timing convenient, Kang Jae-ha gave a small laugh and answered.

"That works. By then, I'll already be in LA."

"Hm? Really? Could it be- because of 'K:FESTA'?"

"It's not the main reason, but 'K:FESTA' is part of it."

"That works out nicely. Then we can meet in the United States."

"Let's do that."

"Then we'll go around the candidate locations for 'K:FESTA' in the United States and discuss the details."

"Yes."

With that, the call ended, and Kang Jae-ha slowly lowered his phone as he thought about the business trip to the United States and murmured.

"Things are getting interesting."

Late that same afternoon.

Two familiar faces stood in front of the building housing 'MEG'. They were PD Do Jin-deok and Writer Song Eun-hee of 'The Cooking Teacher of Joseon', whom Kang Jae-ha had summoned a short while ago. Both were looking up at the building when the freckled Writer Song Eun-hee spoke.

"Isn't it too late? The employees would've already gone home by now."

PD Do Jin-deok scratched his chin.

" Sssp- It was easier for me to make time in the morning too. But they wanted this time."

"Ah. They did."

"Let's go in first."

"Okay."

The two stepped into the elevator side by side, and not long after, the doors opened. The first person to greet them was a man with languid eyes.

"Hmm- PD Do Jin-deok?"

It was Cha Chung-hyeon. The flushed-faced PD Do Jin-deok immediately looked Cha Chung-hyeon over.

'An MEG employee? Something about him feels strange. Should I say his eyes look dead??'

He gave a light nod.

"Yes, I'm Do Jin-deok. And this is the Writer."

"I've heard about you- This way, please."

Guided by Cha Chung-hyeon, PD Do Jin-deok and Writer Song Eun-hee sat down near the window of a fairly large conference room. Cha Chung-hyeon told them to wait for a moment before leaving, and PD Do Jin-deok swept his gaze around the conference room. Seeing that, Writer Song Eun-hee asked.

"What is it?? Is something strange?"

"No, should I say the office is bigger than I expected? At this size, they must be using almost the entire floor... I was just wondering if they really expanded this much in only a year."

At that moment.

-Swish.

A man wearing a black blazer entered the conference room. The cold-eyed Director Kim Ha-jae. No, Kang Jae-ha. PD Do Jin-deok and Writer Song Eun-hee immediately shot to their feet, and Jae-ha held out his hand to them.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Kim Ha-jae, the one who called."

"I'm PD Do Jin-deok."

"I'm Song Eun-hee!"

After the brief introductions, Kang Jae-ha sat across from PD Do Jin-deok and Writer Song Eun-hee. PD Do Jin-deok alternated between looking at the business card he'd received and Jae-ha's face as he murmured inwardly.

'......So this is Director Kim Ha-jae. How should I put it, judging from his eyes, his posture, and his demeanor alone, he feels like he's definitely anything but ordinary.'

Having made up his mind, PD Do Jin-deok spoke first.

"Director Kim Ha-jae, when you say you're interested in our 'The Cooking Teacher of Joseon', may I ask exactly what kind of interest you mean?"

As if the question were nothing difficult, Kang Jae-ha answered immediately.

"We're thinking of investing in 'The Cooking Teacher of Joseon'."

PD Do Jin-deok and Writer Song Eun-hee's eyes instantly widened. Of the two, PD Do Jin-deok continued. His voice had risen considerably in excitement.

"Inv, investment. What scale are you considering?"

"Hm. To be frank, we have no intention of going together with 'GOO Production'."

"Then that means-"

"If we invest, we're looking at 'MEG' doing it alone."

"!!!"

PD Do Jin-deok nearly broke into a butt-wiggling dance. That was how sharply his excitement had spiked. Writer Song Eun-hee, whose mouth had fallen wide open, was the same. She asked again as if she couldn't believe it.

"R, r-r-really?"

Kang Jae-ha smiled faintly.

"Yes, Writer-nim. A solo Investment. That's 'MEG's style."

"Wow-"

By this point, PD Do Jin-deok couldn't sit still. He was practically beside himself with anticipation. But as the PD and the person responsible for the drama, he had to cool his head somehow.

'F, first, calm down. I have to stay objective.'

PD Do Jin-deok recalled the terms offered by 'GOO Production', whose contract was on the verge of being finalized. The Investment Funds, the Production Company, and Jeon So-hee, one of the country's leading Top Actresses. More than the money, Jeon So-hee was what troubled PD Do Jin-deok.

'Once we have Investment, we can find a Female Lead somehow. Same with the Production Company. But......losing Jeon So-hee would be huge. Too huge. For Writer Song Eun-hee, who's only on her second project, turning down Jeon So-hee would be like kicking away a miracle. It'd be a major loss for me too.'

The difference between having an actor with Ticket Power in a project and not having one was like heaven and earth. There was a reason people said that even if a project was garbage, an actor's power alone could keep its results at a respectable level. That was why most directors drew up their list of actors before going into a project.

Having the currently red-hot Investment Firm 'MEG' take an interest in 'The Cooking Teacher of Joseon' was certainly significant. It was unbelievably tempting. But for PD Do Jin-deok, the director who also had to worry about Viewership Ratings.

'This is tough.'

Giving up Top Actress Jeon So-hee wasn't easy.

'I have to think about our drama 'The Cooking Teacher of Joseon', me, and Writer Song Eun-hee.'

What should he do?

Right then. As if he had looked straight into PD Do Jin-deok's mind.

"PD Do Jin-deok, you look like you've got a lot on your mind."

"Yes??! No, that's not it."

Kang Jae-ha, behind the mask, slowly crossed his legs and spoke.

"I have a rough idea of why. Probably- one of GOO Production's conditions included Ms. Jeon So-hee, right?"

PD Do Jin-deok practically screamed inwardly, wondering if the man could read minds?! Kang Jae-ha calmly continued.

"We'll give you Ms. Moon Ji-a."

At once, time stopped for PD Do Jin-deok and Writer Song Eun-hee. Meaning, they stopped moving. Of the two, PD Do Jin-deok barely managed to ask with an expression as if his soul had left his body.

"......Huh? W-who?"

*****

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