Chapter 186

# 187

Girls (3)

***

In front of the Hyesung Entertainment building in Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu.

Most agencies were concentrated in Gangnam, but recently agencies began to appear one by one in Hapjeong-dong. Broadcasting stations were concentrated in Sangam-dong, a 10-minute drive away, and land prices and rents were relatively low.

For that reason, many small agencies were located in Hapjeong-dong.

Hyesung Entertainment was also an entertainment company that was established only three years ago.

Hyesung was an agency founded independently by Jang Hye-seong, who was the director of Cheongwol, one of the leading agencies along with Ara.

The only celebrity whose name was mentioned was Yoon Mi-jin, who was previously a Cheongwol entertainer. Mijin Yoon was active in a group, but after the group disbanded, she released a solo album in Hyesung. It was an album that barely broke even.

With about a year left on the contract, I was about to get married, so it was as if the contract had ended.

However, because Yoon Mi-jin’s name was there, they were able to hold an audition and gather a certain number of trainees.

Currently, Hyesung Entertainment is planning a female idol group with a minimum number of trainees.

This was because CEO Jeong Hye-seong had previously made a successful female idol group in Cheongwol. That was the group that Mijin Yoon belonged to.

The goal for the first female idol group to be debuted by Hyesung Entertainment was to debut in the first half of next year. Of course, there were many difficulties in getting here. No matter how strong CEO Jeong Hye-seong was in practical work, he did not have enough capital.

Although CEO Jeong Hye-seong poured in all the money she had saved, it was an insignificant amount to start an entertainment business. Everyone else had to receive investment, but since it was a high-risk business, receiving investment was not easy.

Because of this, the project almost collapsed several times. There were times when it was postponed indefinitely. A goal that seemed impossible became possible thanks to one investor.

One day, CEO Jeong Hye-seong was contacted directly by an investor.

The investment amount proposed by the investor was a whopping 300 million won.

CEO Jeong Hye-seong thinks the cost of producing an idol group until debut was about 600 million won. The production cost was kept to the minimum. At the time I was contacted, the production cost was about 500 million won.

Some have already been used and some remain. In order to debut, the only way left was to slightly lower the album quality. However, it was not possible to just wait, as expenses would continue to be incurred just to feed, clothe, sleep, and train the trainees.

At that time, he was an investor who appeared like a savior.

If an investment of 300 million won was received, the cost would be more than the minimum cost expected.

The investor was entering the Hyesung Entertainment building.

It was Dowook.

Dowook headed to the 8th floor where Hyesung Entertainment’s representative office was located. When we arrived at the representative office, the secretary at the desk stood up with startled eyes.

“uh!”

It was a mistake for a secretary, but I couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

The only person who decided to visit the CEO’s office at this time today was an investor who invested a large amount of money in Hyesung Entertainment a few months ago.

I couldn’t help but be surprised that the investor did not show up and Kang Do-wook of world-renowned star KK showed up. Even if he had seen Dowook passing by on the street instead of here, the secretary would have stopped and looked at him.

“Mr. Kang Do-wook?”

When the secretary asked in a daze, Do-wook smiled and greeted the secretary.

“hello.”

“What…what happened…”

“I was supposed to meet the CEO at 3 o’clock today.”

“Ah yes. This way…”

The secretary walked toward the representative office and guided Do-wook. While giving guidance, the secretary had one question after another in her head.

‘The only customers at 3 o’clock are investors… Did you know Kang Do-wook?…’

When the secretary knocked, CEO Jeong Hye-seong answered from inside and told him to come in.

When the door opened, the secretary stepped aside and spoke to the representative.

“Mr. Kang Do-wook is here.”

CEO Jeong Hye-seong, who was sitting on the hospitality sofa preparing to welcome investors, stood up.

“what? “Why is Mr. Kang Do-wook here…”

At that question, the secretary’s head became filled with even more question marks. CEO Jeong Hye-seong, who made eye contact with Do-wook, who was standing behind the secretary, was equally dazed.

“hello. “I came because you said you wanted to see me.”

Do-wook smiled softly and first approached CEO Jeong Hye-seong, who was looking at him with a dumb expression, and said hello.

Both CEO Jeong Hye-seong and the secretary were surprised once again. The investor who promised at 3 o’clock today was Dowook.

“Uh… Ah… Oh my, this is someone I never thought of… It’s Jeong Hye-seong.”

CEO Jeong Hye-seong finally came to her senses and held out her hand. Dowook formally shook hands with CEO Jeong Hye-seong and sat down. When Do-wook sat down, the secretary also carefully asked.

“What kind of tea would you like?”

“Oh, do you have any warm green tea?”

“yes.”

“Then I’ll ask for that.”

CEO Jeong Hye-seong asked for a glass of cold water. The secretary bowed her head, closed the door quietly, and left the representative office.

“I’m really… so surprised right now…”

CEO Jeong Hye-seong was also someone with deep experience in the entertainment industry. He had business acumen and production skills. That’s why I came out here to start an entertainment company. It was an embarrassment that was separate from the fact that he was such a capable person.

Dowook nodded as if he understood.

“yes. You were surprised. It would have been better if I had told you in advance…”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Since the investment was made by her father, Professor Woong-cheon Kang, there was no possibility for CEO Jeong Hye-seong to think of Do-wook.

CEO Jeong Hye-seong quickly waved his hand at Do-wook’s words.

“no. no. “I know you’re busy with your overseas tour… but it looks like KK is back in Korea.”

KK was also a group that the entertainment industry was keeping an eye on. Even CEO Jeong Hye-seong was well aware of KK’s extensive schedule.

“yes. “It came in a few days ago.”

“You must be tired. “I heard you’re making a comeback too.”

“Soon. “I’m definitely out of my mind.”

CEO Jeong Hye-seong, who found her composure, lightened the mood and led the conversation. After placing the green tea and water ordered by the secretary in front of each person, we left the representative office again.

“Uh… Well, Mr. Do-wook must be busy…”

CEO Jeong Hye-seong spoke about the investment in a tone that did not hide the question, ‘Why did Do-wook invest here?’ I took it out.

Today’s meeting was coordinated between Do-wook and CEO Jeong Hye-seong.

It was a natural practice to explain the direction and outline of a planned female idol group to investors ahead of its debut.

According to the norm, all investors had to be gathered together and a presentation had to be made, but in the case of Hyesung Entertainment, it was not a stock company and received small investments through acquaintances, so such a format was not taken.

However, Do-wook was someone who needed to be briefed, even if it was not a separate presentation.

300 million won was slightly more than the amount invested by CEO Jeong Hye-seong himself. In terms of a stock company, it was the largest shareholder. It was an outside investor, not an acquaintance.

Although the profit share ratio had already been resolved in writing and by phone through an agent, the conditions naturally included a report on the production process. As an investor, Dowook had the right to discuss the direction of the group that was currently being created and to impose some degree of sanctions on that direction.

From the time she first received investment, CEO Jeong Hye-seong of course wanted to see Do-wook. However, Dowook postponed the meeting to a later date.

At the same time, he replied that he would leave the entire production planning to Hyesung Entertainment and CEO Jeong Hye-seong, and that he would not touch anything unless it was in the wrong direction.

It was literally a story of providing money and guaranteeing autonomy. As CEO Jeong Hye-seong, he could not have been the best investor.

Of course, Do-wook was able to do this because he knew what kind of group CEO Jeong Hye-seong would create.

It was not long ago that Hyesung sent Do-wook a somewhat structured plan by email. To my email adding that it would be nice to have a chance to talk face-to-face, Dowook finally sent me a reply asking me to meet in person and talk.

That was today.

“So how did you come up with the idea to invest in our company?”

CEO Jeong Hye-seong asked as if she was genuinely curious before going into a full explanation.

“As I was looking for an investment destination… I heard a rumor about CEO Jeong.”

Dowook was not embarrassed and looked around.

There were a lot of rumors going around in the industry. I didn’t think they would even bother to hear the source of the rumor. In fact, CEO Jeong Hye-seong also seemed to agree. Since there were many people in the industry around Do-wook, I thought it would be natural for them to hear the news that he was producing a group.

“I want to at least bow to the person who spread the rumor to Do-wook.”

“haha.”

“Still, I never thought a current idol would invest in idol production.”

CEO Jeong Hye-seong muttered as if she was surprised no matter how much she thought about it.

Until then, CEO Jeong Hye-seong was known only as a new investment by a stock investor.

“I feel like I know this area better.”

“but. Dowook couldn’t be more expert in the production field. Aren’t you KK’s producer? “Someone was an investor, and I think I made a lot of money, regardless of the money.”

“I would appreciate it if you thought so.”

CEO Jeong Hye-seong laughed at Do-wook’s words. Then he asked carefully.

“But on the hit-enter side….”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that part.”

Dowook had already reached an agreement with Manager Joanie.

If Director Joanie was unwilling, there was an intention to use only her father, Professor Woong-cheon Kang, as her representative until the end and not reveal Do-wook himself.

This was because it was clear that it would be undesirable for the agency for its singer to help with the work of another agency.

However, Manager Joanie was also a person with extraordinary aspirations.

He clearly knew what Do-wook was greedy for as an investor and producer in the entertainment business, and he also knew how to gain Do-wook as a producer instead of giving Do-wook freedom as an investor.

The group that Dowook currently wanted to invest in and challenge was a girl group. According to Hit Entertainment’s plan, the group would not begin production until about three years later.

Manager Joanie approved Do-wook’s taking the lead in investing in ‘Girls’ under the condition that he not participate in production. He did not forget the non-conditional condition that if there is a singer that Dowook produces in earnest, he would like it to be a hit entertainment singer.

Of course, Do-wook also thought so.

In fact, investing in ‘Girls’ was for two reasons.

“But there’s something I need to make clear.”

“Please speak.”

“I don’t want it to be revealed to the media that I am the investor. Even if it’s inevitable that it will be revealed.”

“Ah… it’s worth worrying about. However, as much as I produce, I am also one of those people who wants to compete with my planning skills. Of course, you can use it appropriately, but….”

Do-wook nodded. In that case, it might have been better not to talk back.

“yes. The production team does not intend to give any opinions in the future. It’s really just an investment. “I hope there are no misunderstandings.”

“of course.”

CEO Jeong Hye-seong answered as if it were obvious. I was planning to leave this in writing, but I felt like Dowook could already trust me. He was a man who took great pride in his production abilities.

‘CEO Jeong Hye-seong……. He is a worthy person. It’s the same for everyone, but if CEO Jeong had a little more money… he could have made the group a bigger group

… I felt sorry for the ‘girls’.

It was a female idol group from an unknown agency. At a time when everyone thought they would be one of the many female idol groups that debuted as the idol industry was experiencing a revival, the girls broke everyone’s expectations and gained a lot of popularity with their considerable singing and skills.

Each member’s individual talent shone, but what shone more than anything was the planning ability that raised the ‘girls.’

Unlike other agencies that tried to achieve femininity and sexiness by trying various things, they caught the public’s attention with a clear and fresh concept.

In addition, because it was a new agency, the fighting spirit of the members who practiced hard and worked hard was something that differentiated the group from other groups.

However, there were clearly limits to the popularity gained in that way.

Capital was not important in the entertainment industry for no reason. Without continued investment and media exposure, the public would quickly look for other groups with better quality. There were so many alternative groups.

In order to lead the way with the success of their debut album, most groups originally had to release their second album to make a net profit.

‘If only I had the capital to push forward with the second and third albums…’

In that sense, there was no place more suitable for Dowook to invest.

It was a group that needed Dowook’s help and could have achieved great success with just a little investment. Recovery of investment or profit will be guaranteed.

But more than anything, the timing was perfect.

‘The girl group that Seo Joong-won will send out… will be a significant competitor to that girl group. Ara Entertainment will not be able to monopolize the broadcasting industry again.’

Do-wook calmly gritted his teeth and thought.