Chapter 233. Our Producer Disappeared (2)

“Director, how is it going with employing new office workers?”

KangYoon switched topics.
When she heard, Lee HyunJi lightly frowned with a deep sigh.

“It’s…not going that well. There were a lot of applicants. But I couldn’t find anyone suitable.”
“Didn’t you raise your standards too high now that the company’s gotten bigger?”

Hearing his question, Lee HyunJi denied it.

“Rather than specs, I’m looking more towards their interest in this industry and their experiences until now. But now that I use these as the standard, there aren’t many people that I find suitable.”
“You can be flexible like when you recruited Miss HyeJin or Mr. JungMin.”
“President.”

Lee HyunJi said that that was unacceptable.

“They should at least have some interest in this industry. We need to be different now. We’re using a 3-stage application process to recruit trainees, but if the office workers have a low hurdle, then it wouldn’t make sense.”
“…You’re right, director. I wasn’t thinking properly.”

KangYoon accepted.
Lee HyunJi liked this part about him; he listened to those around him and accepted his wrongs.
Recruiting new people was a challenging process.
KangYoon encouraged Lee HyunJi, saying that she could take her time with it.
Just as he was returning to his seat, KangYoon seemed to have thought of something and turned around to her.

“Director. How about some employees with career experience?”
“Someone with career experience? If it’s someone from the industry, then of course, I’m all for it. They’ll need a shorter time getting adjusted to working with Miss HyeJin or Mr. JungMin, and I can focus on other things. However, there might be strange rumors if we poach any people from other companies.”
“Hm… It’s rather difficult.”

After their conversation, KangYoon returned to his seat and started working with the fax he got from Japan.

***

Eunha’s album caused a big wave to arise within MG Entertainment.
Their exclusive producer worked with an artist from another company. Not just any other company, but a company that was practically their enemy.
And his name was solidly on the album credits as well.
The contract stated that he ‘is to prioritize the production of artists within the company above artists in other companies’, which wasn’t a problem. The problem was that people viewed it as a problem.

‘Have you heard about Producer Oh?’
‘I didn’t know he would work with Eunha.’
‘Wow, he’s acting defiant now?’

The employees at the company always whispered amongst them about Producer Oh JiWan when they talked.

‘Have you heard about Producer Oh?’
‘Wow, what huge news! I heard it was World too!’
‘It was Eunha’s album. He isn’t someone who would work with just anyone…’

He was a hot topic amongst trainees as well.
Despite all this, though, there weren’t any bad opinions about him doing so.

‘Well, that’s what you get when you don’t give a capable man some work.’
‘MG just doesn’t have a good eye for people.’
‘It’s that team leader who has amazing insight. He only values skill.’

This was the common opinion between both the trainees and the employees.
However.
Slam!

“Producer Oh. This article here. How are you going to take responsibility for it?”

Director’s office.
Director Kim JinHo bit his lips while showing him the article on the newspaper’s entertainment slot.

“…..”
“I didn’t see you that way. You worked with them even though you knew the relationship between them and us?”

Director Kim JinHo’s wrath was considerable.
However, Producer Oh JiWan was very calm about it.

“It’s not like I breached the contract or anything.”
“…What was that?”
“There’s no problem according to the contract.”
“Hah….!”

Director Kim JinHo was flabbergasted.

“Contract? I’m not talking about that here, am I? Do you know what the media is saying right now? They’re saying that the producer found work for himself because the company didn’t give him any work. What kind of embarrassment is that for our company?”
“I must correct you there. It’s not the media that said such a thing, but you that said such a thing to the media, no?”
“What was that!?”

Bullseye. It made Director Kim JinHo even angrier.
However, Producer Oh JiWan didn’t stop there.

“I’m no fool. In the past year, I had nothing to do at the studio and sat there completely still. Was that because my juniors were more skilled than me? Should I ask them? I can ask anyone, you know?”
“Producer Oh, what is it that you’re trying to say?”
“I’m saying that I will no longer hold back.”

Producer Oh JiWan took out a white envelope from his chest pocket and threw it on to Director Kim JinHo’s desk.
It was a letter of resignation.

“…What’s your intention here?”
“I think I’ve done enough for the company. I will resign within the month.”
“Producer Oh!”

Director Kim JinHo became very angry, but Producer Oh JiWan ignored him and left the office.

“…Pweh, live a happy life all you want.”

Going as far as to spit on the ground, Producer Oh JiWan threw away any attachments he had to MG.

***

5.40 in the morning.
Along with a loud alarm, Min JinSeo rubbed her eyes as she turned off the alarm.
After washing her face, she put on some sweat-proof make-up.

“…JinSeo, you’re putting on make-up even when you’re going jogging?”

When Lee HyunJi, who just woke up, asked her, Min JinSeo replied without thinking much.

“Sometimes, I need a change of pace.”
“…Your face is pretty without make-up, you know?”
“Thanks, unni. Then I’ll be off then.”

Covering her head with a hoodie, she started jogging by the nearby Han River.

“Fuu, fuu…”

Thanks to the sweat-proof make-up, her make-up didn’t get blurry despite all the sweat.
As it was still dark in the mornings, there weren’t that many people around.
Not long later, the sun started rising.
Just as she was jogging, a man in a hoodie started running alongside her.
Although it wouldn’t be surprising if she were startled by a big man’s appearance, Min JinSeo instead smiled.

“Sir.”
“Good morning.”

The big man was none other than KangYoon.
Covering their faces, the two people started jogging.

“Fuu, *pant pant*…”
“Sir, is it too hard for you?”
“N, no. I’m f, fine… *pant*.”

However, there was a problem with KangYoon.
It was hard for him to keep up with her, who had a well-trained body.
Despite that, KangYoon did not stop running.
There was an end to everything, so the two headed towards a nearby teahouse after their jog.
KangYoon knocked on the teahouse’s door, which had the ‘CLOSED’ sign four times in a familiar fashion.
A man soon came to the door.

“Oh, Team Leader KangYoon. Welcome. JinSeo, you’re here as well. Welcome.”
“Hello.”

The one that opened the door was Director Lee HanSeo.
This place was managed mostly by his wife, and he sometimes worked it when he had time.
Although he was planning to open a teahouse properly after retiring from his current job, he decided to open one while doing his job after a long period of consideration.
This place was quite popular among tea lovers.
Director Lee HanSeo led the two to a table by the window on the 2nd floor.

“It’s nice to see the two of you here.”
“I’m sorry about this every morning. There aren’t many places we can go after a morning jog.”
“Not at all. I’m well aware that a superstar like JinSeo can’t just go to any shop at ease.”

KangYoon had mentioned that he would be coming several days ago.
When Director Lee HanSeo gave some tea, Min JinSeo closed her eyes and appreciated its fragrance.

“…Nice fragrance.”

The morning sun rays and tea.
Along with spending time with KangYoon.
Min JinSeo was very happy.
KangYoon also appreciated the tea and looked her in the eye.

“Is studying going well?”
“I’m doing my best… but it’s hard. The results of the mock exam I took last time wasn’t looking good…”
“Can I ask what your scores are?”
“No!”

Min JinSeo shook her head several times, and KangYoon burst out laughing.

“Hahaha.”
“…My scores dropped a lot this time. Examinees are amazing. I get that studying is tough.”
“If you find it tough, you can always take the entertainer’s application. Universities these days accept a lot of celebrities for advertisement.”

Min JinSeo shook her head at KangYoon’s words.

“Sir, I’ll use my own skills to get in.”
“You know that the textbook method is the hardest method, right?”
“Yes, but you live by that rule as well, don’t you?”

KangYoon faintly smiled.
Seeing that, Min JinSeo put down the teacup and continued to speak.

“I’m going to live the same way as you do. Whether it’s studying or acting, I don’t want to be controversial. It was you who said that there was a limit to climbing the ladder using roundabout methods, didn’t you?”
“I did, I guess, but it’s a difficult method. It might not work the way you want, either.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’ll choose my own method.”
“You’re cool, JinSeo, I get it.”

Hearing that, Min JinSeo lightly held KangYoon’s hand, which he rested on the table.

“Not that.”
“Huh?”
“Uh… Uhm…”

She seemed embarrassed and hesitated to speak.
Then…

“L, lov…”
“Oh..”

KangYoon noticed and spoke mischievously.

“You want me to say that you’re lovel..”
“I should open the window here.”

At that moment.
A voice could be heard from below.
KangYoon hurriedly moved his hand away and turned around to see outside the window.
Soon, Director Lee HanSeo entered the 2nd floor and opened the windows.

‘Noo….!’

Min JinSeo looked away from Director Lee HanSeo with pity.

***

After a morning date with Min JinSeo, KangYoon came to work and started working.
Around 10 o’clock, he got a call from In MoonHee, who was in Japan.

– The fans here are all so obedient here. They don’t ask me for autographs that much.
“Why didn’t you proactively reach out to them?”
– They told me to as well. The fans really liked it. I’m really happy these days.

In MoonHee’s voice was filled with vitality.
Her schedule was packed with events and TV programs.

“Your body comes first, ok?”
– I know, don’t worry about it. I’ll call you immediately once something happens.

After the call, KangYoon wrote a document to send to A-Trust.
It was to ask them to relax In MoonHee’s schedule.
When he sent it, he found Lee HyunJi standing next to him.

“President, can I take some of your time?”

She pointed at the rooftop and left the office.
KangYoon followed suit.
Lee HyunJi sighed as she spoke on the windy rooftop.

“Producer Oh quit MG.”
“Hm…so it came down to that after all.”
“It’s your turn now.”

KangYoon nodded with a smile.

“Okay.”
“It’s tonight.”

That night.
Hearing that they should meet alone, KangYoon headed to a bar in Gangnam.
Producer Oh JiWan was already waiting for KangYoon.

“Hello.”

The two lightly greeted each other before ordering some things.
KangYoon ordered cocktails, but Producer Oh JiWan ordered some strong alcohol.
When the two received their drinks and some side dishes, the two started talking after a toast.

“I heard that something unfortunate has happened to you because of us. I apologize.”

When KangYoon apologized to him, Producer Oh waved his hand in surprise.

“Not at all. It wasn’t your fault, Team Leader KangYoon. It’s because of me that asked you to put my name on the credits.”
“I should have stopped you from doing so. You ended up having to quit your company… that was my fault.”
“Team leader.”

Producer Oh JiWan made a serious expression and spoke.

“Do you know when a producer feels the happiest when working on an album?”
“It’s when their name goes up in the album credits.”
“Yes. It’s the moment where they feel proud of having left something behind. Now that’s my area that no one else can touch.”

Producer Oh JiWan was a producer to his bones.
As KangYoon did compositions, rearrangement as well as production, he understood what he was saying.
Although it was a short time, their glasses were emptied already.
Thanks to the strong alcohol, Producer Oh JiWan’s face became red.

“You should slow down a little.”
“It’s fine. Today… I want to get a little drunk.”

KangYoon refilled Producer Oh JiWan’s glass and talked about the real matter at hand.

“What do you plan to do in the future?”
“…I’m not sure. I quit in a fit of anger, but MG already used their hand already so that I wouldn’t be able to find work. Nah, I’m going to think about the difficult matters later.”
“How is World, then?”
“Haha, I’d lov… what? Wait, wait a moment.”

Producer Oh JiWan felt his drunkenness going away.
KangYoon pushed on.

“I’m not sure about other things, but I can guarantee you two things – an environment where you can wholeheartedly focus on work, as well as full compensation for your work. Getting involved with company politics will not happen. Ever.”

Producer Oh JiWan couldn’t hide his surprise.
World?
It would be for the best if he could go.
In World, artists were eager to work, a president who supported them with all his effort and funds.
It was a utopia for producers.
Producer Oh JiWan looked hesitant and seeing that KangYoon spoke on.

“A lot of responsibility for your current state lies with us.”
“I’m saying that it isn’t.”

KangYoon shook his head.

“Do you think I didn’t know that there would be trouble if I put your name in the album credits? However, I didn’t hold you back from doing so. That’s my fault. That fault, I will take responsibility for it.”
“…..”
“I’m saying all this, but actually, we just need you, producer. Hahaha.”

He is needed.
This was the most important reason for a man.
He had already sobered up completely.
No, alcohol didn’t seem to be doing anything to him.
Producer Oh JiWan put down his glass, and KangYoon quietly waited for his words as well.
10, 20 minutes passed.
And even after 30 minutes, Producer Oh JiWan did not say a word.
However, KangYoon didn’t fidget around and kept waiting for him to speak.
Eventually.

“…Understood.”

Producer Oh Jiwan broke the silence.

“I may be lacking, but please take care of me.”
“That decision of yours. I will make sure that you won’t regret it.”

KangYoon extended his right hand out with a smile.
Producer Oh JiWan shook his hand.

“Please take care of me. Oh, yes, do you need any other employees?”
“Employees? We were recruiting.”
“I thought so. I saw that President HyunJi was looking very busy. I might be overstepping my bounds here, but can I take some of my own members as well? I can guarantee their skills.”
“Both for the studio and the office?”
“Yes, there’s around four. They can handle both the studio and the office. They’re quite well-rounded in that regard. They’re like my family.”

Producer Oh JiWan mentioned some of his people that he worked with.
Once he leaves MG, it was evident that they would be like chicks without a mother hen in the company.
As World lacked people, this was good news.

“Understood then. When can I see them?”
“There’s no need to drag things out, is there? I’ll call them up right now.”

KangYoon was all smiles because he was able to solve two problems in one go.

***

“Secretary Yang. The report on the collaboration with Sace still isn’t here yet. What happened to that?”

When Director Kim JinHo called for his secretary and asked some questions, the male secretary carefully replied.

“The thing is… two people from the planning team suddenly resigned, which led to a delay.”
“What? What do you mean by that?”

Why would someone from the planning team resign?”
Secretary Yang explained with a quiet voice.

“L, last week, Producer Oh JiWan resigned, didn’t he? At that time, Assistant Managers Kang and Han resigned as well.”
“What? And why didn’t that get reported to me?”
“They resigned through Director Moon GwangShik.”
“Hah? That man?”

Director Moon GwangShik’s was known to be very easy regarding those.
Of course, that was only on the surface. Below the surface, he was infamous for pulling strings so that they would never get employed elsewhere.

“It’s hard to raise someone to work with the planning team, though. I guess we can’t help it. Director Moon should do something about it then. Then what happened with the training report about the trainees last week?”
“There’s no one in charge of that right now and…”
“…The same thing happened there, as well?”
“…I apologize.”

Director Kim JinHo was flabbergasted.
No, he found the answer quite quickly.
They all followed Producer Oh JiWan out.

“A single producer has such an influence… Haah, how long would it take to cover for their absence?”
“The other producers are helping, but Producer Oh mainly managed both of these, so it should take a long time.”
“……”

Director Kim JinHo’s lips trembled.
He was paying the price for treating his subordinates poorly.