Episode 133

While shooting the music video and checking the footage with Director Kim Eui-chan, Isabella spoke, sounding frustrated.

“So, if you zoom in with that Dutch angle, the choreography won’t be visible at all, right? This is the highlight choreography of ‘Traitor.’ What are we supposed to do if you ruin it like this? You didn’t plan it this way in the pre-production, did you?”

As a choreographer who had to check the visibility of the dance, Isabella’s words were valid, but even Director Kim Eui-chan, who boasted top-tier skills and career in music video shooting, didn’t back down and countered.

“Tch, the storyboard is just a storyboard. It’s a guideline for what might work. As we look at the footage from the actual shoot, things can change. This process leads to improvement.”“Are you saying that this so-called improvement is ruining the choreography’s highlight by focusing on a tilted shot of Gyeoul’s face?”“I didn’t ruin it; this is called focus. We cut out unnecessary details and show what should be shown! This Dutch angle is the highlight of the narrative, dramatically amplifying Han Gyeoul’s emotional journey, declaring her rebellion against the oppressive forces that have held back Girl Revolution’s members!”

The reason they clashed was ultimately the conflict between the director, who wanted to focus on the narrative direction, and the choreographer, who wanted to focus on the choreography itself.

In typical cases, the one with the lead role, capable of taking control, would force their view under the guise of persuasion and push forward, but the issue here was that neither Director Kim Eui-chan nor Choreographer Isabella was someone who would lose control.

After all, both were top figures in the industry, recognized worldwide.

Thanks to that, the production crew, the choreography team, and the members of Girl Revolution were frozen in place, unable to stop them, merely watching their heated argument in awe.

“This is why I hate working with directors who have a ‘writer’s disease.’¹ Do you think this is Director Kim’s personal project? Having a narrative is fine, but the top priority should be showing Girl Revolution as a group and showcasing the song ‘Traitor’ effectively!”

“Oh my. I wonder who’s saying what now… Well, I get your point. What should be shown now is Girl Revolution and the song ‘Traitor.’ Not the choreography! There are plenty of opportunities to show the choreography elsewhere, like practice videos, music show tours, and events. Don’t you think trying to make choreography the main focus here is too greedy for a choreographer?”

“You’re saying that because you’re focused on your personal work and forgetting the essence of K-pop. The reason K-pop is successful globally and has gained such recognition is because of its unique group choreography…”

Both of their opinions had their own justifications and rationality. Instead of finding a middle ground, they only kept strengthening their own arguments.

As Isabella and Kim Eui-chan kept arguing, raising their voices, Cheon Aram clicked her tongue and spoke.

“Hey, do you really want to do this while everyone’s gathered here? Everyone here is stuck in a pause because of you two. They gathered to work, not to watch you two fight.”

“…”

Both of them had nothing to say to that clear-cut statement and fell awkwardly silent.

Seeing the two of them, Cheon Aram clicked her tongue once and casually said,

“And why are you even worried about that? The answer is obvious.”

Oh, was she trying to play the role of the boss and make some order here?

It was a very good intervention. Both had their merits, and it would have been hard to determine what was better. Whatever choice was made, I was ready to support it. I just wanted this conflict to end, whatever the solution.

Both of them must have sensed that Cheon Aram’s words would determine the fate of this music video, as they looked at her with tense eyes.

“Let’s just do both. We’ll release both versions.”

“…What?”

…Wait, the production costs will skyrocket. Is that really okay?

Even Director Kim Eui-chan, sensing the same doubt I had, asked her back.

“…Then, the production cost will almost increase by 1.5 times, right? If we get a proper estimate, it could even go up more.”

Cheon Aram looked at Director Kim Eui-chan and smiled slyly before replying.

“Director Kim, have you forgotten who the sponsor of TwoBear is?”

Cheon Aram glanced at Yeoreum and, looking satisfied, spoke as if reassured.

“We have plenty of money.”

“…”

The two, mouths agape at her ridiculous response, exchanged glances and quietly returned to their work positions.

It was a perfect resolution.

However, I still had one question lingering, so I carefully approached Cheon Aram and asked.

“President Cheon, is this really okay? No matter how much investment we have, there will surely be some scrutiny. I’m unsure if it’s right to make such a big financial decision on the spot like this. Honestly, I don’t think I can convince the investors to shoot two versions of the music video.”

Shooting two versions of the music video would be nice, but it wasn’t a cost-effective task. The investors would likely show resistance.

“It would be difficult if we had to explain it to all the investors, but this time, if we can convince Jinkang, it will be fine.”

“Oh… I see. As expected, President Cheon, you’ve already prepared to persuade Jinkang.”

You already had a plan. I trusted you, CEO.

“No, it’s Team Leader Seon who has to do the persuading.”

…Me?

“In that case, tomorrow there’s an appointment with Yeoreum’s father, Chairman Jin Baek-ho, so Team Leader Seon, you should go and speak with him. Oh, and Yeoreum requested to accompany him, so be sure to take her with you.”

“I have a lot to do right now, can I refuse? Honestly, it would be better if you, President Cheon, went instead.”

“No, you can’t. He specifically asked for Team Leader Seon to go.”

“…”

…Help me, that man is scary.

“So, is my daughter’s debut progressing well?”

Cautiously glancing around, I swallowed a piece of steak that I had barely managed to put in my mouth and spoke as calmly as I could.

“Yes, we’re combining the best talent and the best equipment to achieve a quality that is beyond possible. I’m confident that at least in terms of composition, we won’t fall behind the big three broadcasting companies.”

Jin Baek-ho, slightly nodding at my confident statement, stroked his chin and spoke.

“I can see it myself. There’s no major flaw in the song or video. Honestly, I thought you could be confident even when you came to me last time. Ah, don’t take this badly; I’m just saying, I’m an investor, aren’t I? I have the right to check on how my money is being spent.”

Seeing Jin Baek-ho speaking seriously, Jin Yeoreum’s mother, Lee Ga-eun, gave a look of disdain and lightly wiped her lips with a napkin before speaking.

“Why don’t you just honestly say that you’re worried about Yeoreum? I’m embarrassed by all this roundabout talk.”

“…Honey, I’m talking business right now.”

“Hmm… Talking business? Are you really trying to talk business even after we’ve come this far? Didn’t you say you’d just have a simple talk so Taeyang wouldn’t feel burdened? You know I don’t like people who change their words.”

“…I’m sorry, honey.”

It was a rare sight to see Jin Baek-ho, a man who seemed impervious to even a knife’s cut, flustered.

Yeoreum, probably thinking I’d find that sight amusing, smiled faintly and explained.

“Hehe, it’s funny, right? My dad married my mom after a love marriage. He even had to beg her, so he can’t win against her.”

“Daughter, if you say that, what will happen to my image with Team Leader Seon?”

“A father of a harmonious family, loved by his wife and daughter?”

Caught off guard by his daughter’s sudden charm attack, Jin Baek-ho tried to hold back a laugh, twitching his mouth and flaring his nostrils before speaking quietly.

“I couldn’t bear to give my daughter, someone like her, to another man.”

As he said that, Jin Baek-ho glared at me.

Feeling pressured, I quietly avoided his gaze.

Seeing my reaction, he wiped away the last bit of his playfulness and asked with utmost seriousness.

“So, what’s the plan for improving Yeoreum’s image? If we debut her without any countermeasures, the public’s previous indifference will quickly turn into a barrage against Yeoreum, and the doping controversy will flare up again. You’re not planning to debut her without a strategy, are you?”

Not at all. Cheon Aram, Seo Soo-yeon, and I were not those kinds of irresponsible people.

“First, it’s impossible to use the name Jin Yeoreum as it is.”

“Does that just mean you’ll hide it?”

“It will be hidden, but not for long. Eventually, it will come out that she was once a promising rhythmic gymnast, Jin Yeoreum. We can’t avoid that, so we’ll reveal it under TwoBear’s leadership.”

“When will that be?”

“At least once, she ranks #1 on a music show. Only then can we build a fandom strong enough to overcome the controversy. Once we’ve built a solid fan base, we’ll reveal her story in a documentary-style broadcast, showing her narrative, life, regrets, and dreams. We believe that by then, we can control the conflicts, issues, and controversies surrounding her.”

“I understand the intention. I don’t think you lack the ability for this, but… Don’t you think it might be seen as emotional manipulation?”

“Essentially, it is emotional manipulation. But you know, there’s emotional manipulation that people are willing to overlook.”

“Overlooked emotional manipulation? What does that mean?”

I looked at Yeoreum and spoke, as if it were obvious.

“As long as the person in question is unbelievably beautiful and charming.”

If you were to pick the most beautiful face in this country, Yeoreum’s beauty would be ranked number one. With this level of beauty, such a plot twist was possible.

“Hehe.”

Yeoreum, locking eyes with me, stared with a dazed look before bursting into laughter.

Seeing her clear laughter, I couldn’t help but laugh too, and we both laughed together.

“You two look great together, don’t you?”

“You look good together. But from what I see, Team Leader Seon seems to have some dark intentions…”

“Dad, if you make rude comments about Team Leader Seon, I won’t just stand by.”

“…”

Hearing Yeoreum’s firm words, Jin Baek-ho sighed wearily, as if the world had become too harsh.

“I wish I could go back to 13 years ago when I used to spoil little Yeoreum.”

…Hang in there, Yeoreum’s father.