Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 505: Project G (1)

After sending Eun-Ah back to her dorm, I accompanied Kang Gam-Chan to MBS. We were here to create a favorable atmosphere for Hoop Entertainment and to damage Ace Entertainment's reputation.

By now, the only thing left for Ace Entertainment's Im Sung-Hak to do would be to influence the broadcast stations.

As soon as we sat down, Choi Sang-Byung handed us coffee and brought up today's events. "I guess things aren't going well between you and Ace Entertainment lately."

Ace Entertainment was denying everything about today's incident with Eun-Ah, claiming it was "all groundless." However, most people in the industry weren't buying it. After the names of the plastic surgery clinic and club frequented by Lee Dong-Ju and Ahn Hee-Soo were revealed, testimonies flooded in.

Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "I guess they're feeling threatened because we're on the rise. I didn't expect them to make such an obvious move though."

"Hoop Entertainment has been doing exceptionally well this year. Ace Entertainment must be jealous."

Kang Gam-Chan nodded again. "Speaking of which, there's something I should tell you."

"What is it?"

"We'll be merging with Gwanwoo Entertainment soon. We're looking to expand."

"I heard rumors, but I didn't expect it to be true. Congratulations."

A merger with Gwanwoo Entertainment would instantly propel Hoop Entertainment to the third-largest company in the industry. At that size, no broadcast station could afford to ignore us anymore.

Choi Sang-Byung's demeanor became noticeably more serious. "At this rate, you might be number one in the industry next year."

Kang Gam-Chan responded without blinking. "We're aiming for that. Our shareholders have promised full support."

Hearing that Hoop Entertainment's influence would grow even further, Choi Sang-Byung grinned. "Hahaha, I never expected you to be this aggressive, Mr. Kang."

At that moment, Kang Gam-Chan turned to me with a warm smile. "It's all thanks to Team Lead Jung here."

Choi Sang-Byung also looked at me and nodded. "True. Even I feel ambitious whenever I'm around Team Lead Jung. Hahaha. Listening to this guy talk makes me believe anything is possible."

With both of them showering me with praise, I barely had a chance to speak.

After a while, Choi Sang-Byung finally asked, "So what brings you here today, Team Lead Jung?"

I hardened my expression and said, "I came to share some important information."

"And what would that be?"

"Ace Entertainment will soon be under investigation by the prosecution and the National Tax Service. I suggest you avoid any involvement with them."

"Is that true?"

"Yes."

"Well, this is... quite something..."

Choi Sang-Byung's expression turned uneasy. If Ace Entertainment were investigated, even meeting with Im Sung-Hak could spell trouble.

After a brief contemplation, he slowly spoke. "Ahem. Then I'd better avoid meeting President Im for a while. With all the scandals surrounding Ace Entertainment right now, I have a good excuse not to see him."

As expected, Choi Sang-Byung decided to play it safe. Anyone who climbed as high as a broadcast station president knew exactly when to get involved and when to back off.

'Well, MBS is taken care of.'

Now, I just needed to visit the other broadcast station presidents and deliver the same message to ensure Im Sung-Hak couldn't act recklessly anymore.

Just then, Choi Sang-Byung's phone rang.

"Looks like President Im just can't help himself."

The desperate Im Sung-Hak was now scrambling to contact the broadcast station presidents. As expected, he was following the exact path I anticipated.

Choi Sang-Byung cleared his throat and ignored the call by placing his phone face down. He quickly changed the subject, suggesting we talk about Hwaranjeon instead.

***

Ten minutes later, Choi Sang-Byung smiled and said, "Well, don't worry too much..."

At that moment, his intercom buzzed.

"Excuse me for a moment."

Choi Sang-Byung answered the intercom, but his expression instantly darkened.

"Really? Hmm. Got it. Call me back in a bit."

Hanging up, Choi Sang-Byung looked at us with a troubled face.

"It seems Ace Entertainment has lobbied our variety department head. They want us to blacklist Hoop Entertainment's celebrities from variety shows. And it's not just us—variety heads from all three major broadcasters have apparently agreed to it."

Even though I had acted quickly, Im Sung-Hak wasn't an easy opponent. Blocked from reaching the presidents, he had targeted the variety department heads instead, despite Ace Entertainment's name already being dragged through the mud in entertainment news.

At least I managed to secure Choi Sang-Byung's support for our side.

Choi Sang-Byung cleared his throat and said, "Team Lead Jung, I'll talk to our department head and tell him to cut ties with President Im."

I considered it for a moment, but then another plan came to mind, one that would showcase Hoop Entertainment's strength.

"There's no need to do that, Mr. Choi. I'll meet with the variety heads of all three networks myself."

"Huh? How? Even our department head wouldn't meet you in this situation, let alone the others."

"I have a way."

"A way? What is it?"

I brought up a program project I had recently discussed with Kang Gam-Chan. "I'm thinking of sparking competition with an audition program."

Before my regression, there was a project Kang Gam-Chan had planned before collapsing from a brain tumor—Project G. It was essentially a global idol audition show, similar to the global idol projects of today.

At the time, it was meant as a last-ditch effort to prevent the company from tilting entirely toward Kim Dong-Soo and Choi Man-Sik.

Ji Yung-Sik, a PD at KBC back then, was so enthusiastic about the idea that he promised to produce it even if it meant changing networks. The project reached the pre-production stage but was ultimately shelved due to Kang Gam-Chan's illness.

Years later, Ji Yung-Sik left KBC and produced a hit idol project show with Top Entertainment. I planned to propose that project to break the variety heads' collusion.

Choi Sang-Byung asked cautiously, "Competing over an audition program? Don't tell me Hoop Entertainment plans to fund its own production?"

The variety department heads from the three major networks frequently shared industry intel and often colluded to protect their interests. They would block certain companies or actors from appearing, which was what they were doing now.

Nevertheless, that collusion could be surprisingly easy to break. If a program promised high ratings and profits, they wouldn't hesitate to betray each other. It was just like when the networks formed a joint negotiation team for Premier League and MLB broadcasting rights, only to backstab each other later.

To achieve that, the project had to be financially enticing.

I nodded and said, "Yes. We plan to invest ten billion won."

"What? Ten billion won?"

It was an enormous amount for an entertainment company, prompting Choi Sang-Byung to glance at Kang Gam-Chan for confirmation.

Kang Gam-Chan confirmed, "Yes. We're already in discussions with investors."

Since the network would face no financial risk, Choi Sang-Byung licked his lips and said, "Team Lead Jung, why not give that audition program to MBS? I'll handle this situation for you."

'Sorry, but that's not an option.'

To prevent the variety heads from pulling similar stunts in the future, I needed to show them that Hoop Entertainment wasn't to be trifled with.

"I appreciate the offer, but I'll handle it myself."

"Ugh... I understand, but letting that program slip away is just..."

"Please don't worry too much. If MBS doesn't proceed with the audition program, we'll prepare a drama or another show of a similar scale. You won't be at a loss either way."

Choi Sang-Byung studied us for a moment before reluctantly nodding. If he was guaranteed another program, there was no need to risk conflict with his variety department head. Besides, summoning a variety department head who had accepted bribes from Im Sung-Hak could raise suspicions.

"Alright then. I'll pretend I don't know anything, and I won't meet with President Im."

"Thank you, sir."

After bidding our farewells, Kang Gam-Chan and I left the office.

***

As soon as we left the MBS president's office, I called MBS Variety Department Head Han Seok-Yung.

-The person you are trying to reach is unavailable...

As expected, there was no answer.

"Mr. Kang, it seems the variety heads won't take my calls."

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Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Right. Since they took bribes from President Im Sung-Hak, they won't pick up easily."

"Looks like we'll need to show them the investment proposal to get them moving."

Currently, Project G was only a plan as we hadn't secured funding yet.

"Time is short, so let's target the presidents first. We'll secure funding somehow. Now, shall we head to SBC's president?"

Shortly after arriving at SBC, we met President Kim Gab-Soo. We told him the same story we had shared with Choi Sang-Byung, and he also agreed to distance himself from Im Sung-Hak. He even promised not to mention anything to his variety department head.

Kim Gab-Soo said, "Got it. And make sure that audition program comes to SBC. We'll offer the best terms out of the three networks!"

He made it clear that we should turn a deaf ear to whatever the variety department head of SBC said. With SBC's president now on our side, we made our final call to KBC's president. However, President Park Chan-Sik of KBC didn't answer.

Kang Gam-Chan sent Park Chan-Sik a text, then sighed. "Looks like President Park Chan-Sik won't take our calls."

With the competition between Hwaranjeon on MBS and Queen Jeong-Hee on KBC looming next month, it was clear he was intentionally avoiding us.

I nodded. "We have no choice. Let's break through MBS and SBC first. Once their collusion falls apart, Ace Entertainment's plans will crumble."

"And the investment funds? If needed, I'll ask Mr. Chairman."

"No, I'm thinking of reaching out to Wang Long first and then contacting investors I know."

The budget for producing a global idol group was already reserved by Shanghai New Media Inc. Nonetheless, Project G required a separate budget unrelated to album production.

"Can you handle this alone?"

"Yes, I believe I can. And if it doesn't work out, I'll let you know."

Kang Gam-Chan gave me a proud look. "Then you'll need a more detailed proposal."

"I plan to draft it with Mr. Lee Dong-Min and Ms. Ahn Ye-Eum as soon as I get back to the company, along with the investment proposal."

"Good. Let me know if you need any help."

"Yes, sir."

Kang Gam-Chan left to visit KBC personally, while I headed back to the company, determined to crush every one of Ace Entertainment's plans.

***

Four of us gathered—Kang Ji-Yung, Ahn Ye-Eum, Lee Dong-Min, and I gathered in Team Jung's meeting room.

I began the meeting by apologizing to Ahn Ye-Eum and Lee Dong-Min, who were in charge of the global project. "I'm sorry for not telling you sooner."

The two simply waved it off, as I had already explained the situation through a call earlier. "It's fine. Our proposal already had a lot of detailed work done anyway."

Then, I explained how their groundwork for the audition format would be adapted into a TV program.

For composition and arrangement, I suggested Bang Seon-Woo. For lyrics and choreography, I suggested Jang Ye-Bin and Park Seon-Nyeo respectively. For public critique, I proposed placing Jang Ji-Hye, the president of Womans, along with several guest judges to attract viewers.

I said, "You both worked hard on the planning. I can't just let that go to waste."

Lee Dong-Min chuckled. "Worrying about everything, huh? But... the plan's solid. The question is, what about the money? Shanghai New Media Inc. promised funding for the group's production, but that doesn't cover this program's costs or the album production."

Typical audition programs on the three major networks had production costs ranging from six to eight billion won. However, I had promised the broadcast presidents ten billion won.

"I plan to call potential investors once the proposal is polished. That's why I gathered you all here."

Ahn Ye-Eum nodded. "Then we'll need to refine the proposal before sending it to investors."

"Yes, Ms. Ahn."

Ahn Ye-Eum had previously run a music agency called Ye-Eum Planning and she also had experience managing a global idol project. Naturally, she was an expert at drafting proposals for similar formats.

She said, "Alright then, let's get started on this proposal. It's called Project G, right?"

"Yes. But first, let's have some coffee."

"Deal!"

After everyone enjoyed a cup of my signature coffee, we got to work on the Project G proposal.

***

After three hours of intense focus, we completed a 20-page proposal.

With the structure ready, I called the first investor—Wang Long from Shanghai New Media Inc. I initiated a video call on the large LCD screen in the meeting room.

Wang Long appeared on screen, wearing a suit.

-Hey, Yoon-Ho. Why a video call instead of a regular one?

"Hey, I need your help."

-What kind of help?

I explained the situation exactly as it was. I explained how Ace Entertainment was using its influence to create trouble for Hoop Entertainment, and I planned to launch Project G to shake up the variety department heads at the three major networks.

At this, Wang Long's voice grew agitated.

-So Ace Entertainment is targeting Hoop Entertainment? Those bastards. How dare they come after my friend?

"Technically, they're targeting me and my celebrities."

After fuming for a while, Wang Long finally got back to business.

-Well, how can I help?

"I'll send you the proposal first. Take a look."

I sent Wang Long the completed Project G proposal. The plan was to select members from China, Japan, and Korea through auditions, excluding Ling Ling and Seo Hee-Joo, who were already set to debut.

"The audition format is solid. If you cover the production costs, you'll get a significant share of the profits."

Shanghai New Media Inc. had already committed full funding for Ling Ling, including the costs for song production, music videos, and promotions. However, Project G required additional funding beyond that initial budget.

"There are other investors too, so don't feel pressured..."

-Hold on, Yoon-Ho.

Then, Wang Long said something that completely exceeded my expectations.

'What the...'