Chapter 156 (1/2)
Chapter 156: Competent or Incompetent (9)
TL: emptycube / ED: Isleidir
{Whoop! Second chapter of the week!}
”The little seedling learned to scheme from W&U.”
General Manager Hw.a.n.g snorted when he heard about the call with Jung Sunwoo.
Producer Choi nervously paced back and forth.
”I asked around and there really are a few production companies and networks interested in the reality TV show. Even PBS.”
”Of course, since it's a good idea.”
”What do we do if Chief Jung Sunwoo really takes the proposal to some other network? The director will be angry if the show is a success after going to a different network despite them having come to us first.”
”You really are timid. How can someone like you be a producer?”
General Manager Hw.a.n.g gave Producer Choi an unpleasant look.
”How many years of experience do you have for you to be played as a fool by some seedling?”
”I'm not being played. There just always an 'if'. I'm just worried things might actually fall through. Isn't it better to keep our conditions moderate and going into production? Once it goes into production, we'll have the upper hand again…”
”I don't know. I don't feel like letting them off. I'm too disgusted by his actions.”
General Manager Hw.a.n.g's lips became crooked.
”This guy is thinking lightly of me, a public network general manager, because cable networks and subcontract production companies are treating him well. That's why he's trying to get a deal with us while acting like he might go to a different network. He's too wet behind the ears for that.”
Looking at the article on his phone, he added,
”The sudden article. That guy might be acting after releasing it himself.”
”I looked into it, and it seems like some high schooler posted it on social media.”
”It's not hard masking the origin of a source. It'll spread so long as it gets pa.s.sed along a couple times. Anyways, I don't plan on letting him go. Him insisting like this will only be momentary. Even if his scheme might work at other networks, he won't fool me.”
General Manager Hw.a.n.g waved his hand.
”But what if Chief Jung is unsatisfied and is ready to pull Seoyoung and LJ off the show.”
Producer Choi said with a gulp.
”What if he decides to cancel his appearance on Good Friends' long-term project and simply goes to a different network?”
”He can do that if he has the guts.”
General Manager Hw.a.n.g said coldly.
”The guts to turn his back on an entire network.”
”Pardon?”
”If he does as you said, then I'm going straight to the director. You know that the director hates rude brats like him. He has a bad temper.”
Chuckling, General Manager Hw.a.n.g continued,
”Do you think he'll like it if I tell him that a W&U chief took his celebrities out of our show because he was cranky, and he only baited us with the proposal before pa.s.sing it over to another network?”
”But we are the ones who brought up kicking them off the show if he doesn't listen.”
”I just need to talk to the director. An arm always leans inward.”
General Manager Hw.a.n.g, who smoothly glossed things over, gestured to Producer Choi.
A cunning smile hung on his lips.
”Tell Jung Sunwoo, that b.a.s.t.a.r.d, exactly what I told you.”
”Exactly?”
”Then he'll come to us with his head bowed.”
Producer Choi blinked at General Manager's confident att.i.tude.
”Why?”
”He does have the rank to blow things up any further. It's not like W&U is some mom and pop shop. They have tons of employees and celebrities. Do you think they'll clash against a network because one of their employees is cranky? I bet their company would be against his actions first. Also, you said he was only a temporary team leader.”
”Yes, he became a temporary team leader after being a.s.signed this project.”
”Then he'll definitely want to handle things on his own. If this escalates up to our director, do you think the W&U CEO won't interfere? Then he's just admitting he doesn't have the ability to hit at the negotiations table.”
Producer Choi was in awe at those words. His worries were cleanly swept off his mind.
General Manager Hw.a.n.g leisurely crossed his legs as he said,
”You need to break in these b.a.s.t.a.r.ds that don't know their place.”
-This could really become a big incident if this reaches our director.
Producer Choi sighed.
-I'll try to soothe General Manager Hw.a.n.g's anger a little, so please just bow your head once this time. If this tug-o-war continues, it won't end with just you and our general manager. It could escalate to a problem between W&U and IBC.
”… That can't happen.”
Jung Sunwoo replied while rubbing his dry lips.
Producer Choi's voice clearly became brighter. They ended the call after saying they would get in touch after an internal discussion.
A silence hung in the meeting room. Chief Lee Taes.h.i.+n soothed his parched throat with his lukewarm coffee. The emotions that surged during Jung Sunwoo's call with Producer Choi Byungsoo had no intention of calming down.
A threat saying they would crush them with power if he didn't do as they said. The way that an influential producer and general manager of a public network worked was beyond shameless.
Chief Lee Taes.h.i.+n gave Jung Sunwoo a worried look.
There was no doubt his mind was complicated with the blatant pressure they were weighing on him. Jung Sunwoo was expressionlessly looking at his coffee cup. His arms and legs were crossed. He looked like a coiled snake.
Soon, he made a bitter smile as he said,
”This wouldn't have happened if it was the team leader or the CEO instead of me, right?”
”Probably not.”
Team Leader Park nodded.
”Still, there's no need for you to feel bad. It's rare for someone with little experience like you to be a.s.signed such a big project. General Manager Hw.a.n.g, that man, probably felt disregarded when you went over with the proposal by yourself. People like him really care about positions.”
Team Leader Park patted his shoulder. Then she lightly asked,
”What now? Do you want to ask the CEO for help? I bet it'll be cleanly settled then.”
Chief Lee Taes.h.i.+n gulped.
”No.”
Jung Sunwoo's lips rose in a crooked manner.
”Let's wait a little longer. I took out an insurance.”
”An insurance…?”
Chief Lee Taes.h.i.+n asked with a perplexed expression.
Jung Sunwoo smiled faintly as he replied,
”I thought this would happen, so I had drinks until early morning. With a director I know.”