The Famous Millionaire

“Of course, I will. Even though they broadcasted it already, such a report is worth repeating several times.”

Hyunwoo thought it was a very good chance. He led Jaeyol into his office and showed him the promotional video clip on KOVE Dream from the form of a documentary Kwangsoo Han shot.

Jaeyol’s jaw dropped at that.

“When did you film it?”

“Several days ago. They finished editing it yesterday. It’s a freshly made video, to say the least.”

“Wow! It looks like one made by the best experts in the field.”

“Yea, it was filmed and edited by Real Film. They produced the feature on the Dream Team.”

Hyunwoo briefly introduced Kwangsoo Han to him. Real Film was relatively well known in the broadcasting business. Jaeyol also heard about the company. Suddenly, a spark flashed in Jaeyol’s eyes.

Looking at Hyunwoo he asked, “Can I take this video? Let me report to my boss about it and try to buy it at a good price.”

Hyunwoo yelled delight in his heart. He had intended to ask Jaeyol to try.

“Well, if you want it, I have a better idea. It has to do with supporting the Korean companies in Vietnam.”

“Tell me about your idea,” said Jaeyol, who seemed to be completely sucked into what Hyunwoo had to say.

Hyunwoo mentioned his idea about the opening of a trade fair so that Korea and Vietnam could help their own trading companies by hosting their exports in their own cities. Of course, he didn’t forget to link it to the Dream Team.

“As you know, there are many Korean firms in Vietnam. Since the Dream Team was founded there, many Korean technicians have joined it. There are more than 70 technicians that have joined on my recommendation. The upcoming trade fair has been designed to encourage them.”

Listening to him seriously, Jaeyol said, with his eyes wide, “Oh, you are really like an idea bank! How did you think of this?”

“Well, it’s also my staffer’s idea, not mine.”

“Anyway, it’s a good idea, but it’s too big a project for me to handle. Let me discuss with my news director first,” Jaeyol seemed very satisfied, “I think I really made an excellent decision to come down here. I’m receiving a big gift from you, Hyunwoo, lots of interesting stories including the faceless angel and you, above all.”

Hyunwoo was stunned to hear that.

“What? Are you going to report about me?”

“Oh, yes. Not now, though. If I have a chance, I’m going to make a documentary about you. By the way, why are you asking? Don’t you want it? I think it will help your business a lot.”

Of course, the report would be helpful. At least the name ‘Hyunwoo Jang” and Ani & Funny would receive great promotion thanks to the report, but it wouldn’t be as much help as he thought. The animation by Ani & Funny were not the kind of things that could hit the jackpot just because of the image of the company or its president. An animation was kind of a creative work just like a novel or webtoon. In other words, it could hit the jackpot when it can arouse readers’ attention, but it wouldn’t go anywhere if it failed to draw their attention.

Suddenly, Hyunwoo hit upon an idea. Maybe, Jaeyol could do him a favor.

“Do you happen to know someone who is well versed in talent donation broadcasts?”

“Talent donation broadcasts? Of course, I know a lot in that field,” said Jaeyol confidently.

“Then, can I make a suggestion?”

“What kind of suggestion is it?”

“Well, it’s about making a report on the story of Anifan kids who are dreaming about their future by overcoming difficulties. Korean Broadcasting can support the kids with talent donation programs and introduce their animation works. Don’t you think my idea is great?”

Jaeyol giggled at that because Hyunwoo’s intention was so clear. In fact, Hyunwoo was asking him to have the animation works of Ani & Funny be aired on Korean Broadcasting programs.

“Of course, that idea itself isn’t bad, but that kind of program will be effective only after the Anifan kids make a success by overcoming the difficulties. Just the simple story of them going through the process now is not that attractive.”

Shaking his head, Hyunwoo continued, “They’ve achieved half the success already. Their work is very popular now in the Story Mecca.”

“Really?” asked Jaeyol with great interest.

Hyunwoo led him into a room and then showed him how popular Tuti & Angelica was on Story Mecca these days. Jaeyol began to respond with renewed interest.

“I see. This is the Ani & Funny’s latest animation work. Is this all? I see only seven episodes uploaded so far.”

“Well, it’s only been two months since Ani & Funny was founded. In that respect, seven episodes are more than enough since it means we’re producing a new episode almost every two weeks.”

“Wow, the number of visits is very high. Latest episode commanded 90,000, and some of the older stories enjoy more than 100,000.”

“90,000 or 100,000 might be high, but what’s more important is the number of visits we have had during the two months. If this trend continues, I guess we can get as many as 500,000 visits per month on average.”

Hyunwoo exaggerated the number of potential visits a bit, but it was realistic.

“Wow! That’s great,” said Jaeyol, admiring the progress, but Hyunwoo had some other stuff to show to him. It was a new clip on Tuti & Angelica on Story Mecca.

Watching it, Jaeyol said, with a curious look on his face, “I thought the quality of the video was good, given its high popularity, but it’s not as good as I expected. The voice actor doesn’t seem to be a professional.”

Jaeyol kept watching the 10-minute video, and then said, looking at Hyunwoo, “In the begining you’re trying to arouse the watchers’ attention and then you overwhelm them with fantastic scenes. I think that’s a good strategy in terms of saving the production cost and showing off your skills.”

“What do you think? As you said, we simplified the pictures intentionally and used a part-time student as a voice actor to cut down on the production. Don’t you think we can be competitive enough with major animation companies if we make up for the shortcomings that you mentioned?” said Hyunwoo.

Come to think of it, Jaeyol thought Hyunwoo’s remarks made sense.

If Hyunwoo could make Tuti & Angelica, as a whole, more refined and detailed like the highlight portion, it would be a much better animation. It had no background music and its sound effects were not good. Though the general public might not notice it, someone like Jaeyol with many years of broadcasting could immediately find out that the sound effects were hastily made without any great attention. If Hyunwoo could make up for the lacking areas, Tuti & Angelica could generate more popularity than it did currently.

“I don’t think the Korean Broadcasting can make any program with the Anifan kids the main topic. Instead, there are some other way to promote your animation.”

“What is it?”

“Just like with other broadcasting companies, we try to put out some feelers on talent donation programs on Lunar New Year’s, Thanksgiving of Chusok, and Children’s Day. On those days, we air a couple of similiar programs to check out the reaction of the watchers. If their reaction is good, they tend to make it a regular program. Why don’t you shoot for that chance?”

Hyunwoo was aware of that. In particular, entertainment programs were in great demand as a trial balloon to check out the watchers’ response.

“Do you think the talent donation broadcasting would give me a chance? I don’t know anybody in that field.”

“Well, I think I can help you,” said Jaeyol.

Hyunwoo’s eyes widened. When Jaeyol first mentioned it, Hyunwoo felt he would help him, but when he actually said he would, Hyunwoo’s heart throbbed with excitement.

“Don’t expect too much, though. You have to give it a try as nothing is guaranteed even with a favor,” Jaeyol tried to keep down Hyunwoo’s soaring expectation.”What I can do is ask the producers to pay attention to the animations of Ani & Funny. They won’t give more credit to it because of me, of course. If the animation they have chosen fails to draw the watchers’ attention, they’re going to be in trouble. That’s why only large animation companies whose reputation has been verified get more chances of success usually. They have a lower rate of failure.”

Hyunwoo could understand the situation. As they were salaried men, the producers might want to choose the safe way rather than taking the risk.

“Thanks so much for your kind words. That’s a big encouragement to me.”

“Then, it’s okay for me to make a report about you, isn’t it?”

Hyunwoo said, scratching his head, “That makes me really embarrassed. Why don’t you do it after I make a great success?”

“Hahaha. That sounds good. Can you make one promise to me?” said Jaeyol.

“Promise?”

“From now on, let me be the first person to report about anything related to you and your family. Can you promise that?”

“Of course. I have no problem with that.”

Come to think of it. Hyunwoo felt it was not a big deal. Jaeyol also promised to introduce him to his acquaintances in the business of talent donation broadcasting anyway.

Jaeyol gave him a satisfied smile. He felt Hyunwoo was a big man.

Though Hyunwoo was only an employee with a small company, and his newly founded company had no name, someday he could be a great man who could generate all kinds of scoop stories. In that respect, it would be nothing to ask his friends in talent donation broadcasting to pay some attention to the work of Ani & Funny.

If Jaeyol’s prediction came true, this would be a pretty profitable business for him.

I’m sure Hyunwoo is going to be a great man. Today, I’ve got a windfall.