Grant Foster.
As the CEO of Warner Records, one of the top three record labels in the world and a key part of the Warner Music Group, he was currently on a business trip to Korea.
All because of a K-POP artist with whom they were set to form a new partnership.
K-POP was experiencing rapid growth in the global market, led by NND and Coral Blue, and the world’s top three record labels were building partnerships with many Korean artists. Warner Records had also formed partnerships a few times already.
“If they had just asked me to come over there, I could have been impressed just by the headquarters and secured a favorable contract. Do I really have to come all the way to Korea like this?”
But it was truly a first for Grant to personally come all the way to Korea.
“Well, we’ll see.”
“You used to tell me to suddenly grab a ticket to Korea… What on earth did you discuss with the directors? Grant, please don’t act like a musician as a businessman.”
With that, Hugo, the lawyer and secretary accompanying Grant for the contract signing, sighed as he looked up at the Topist building, which was only about five or six floors tall.
“Ugh… Anyway, since this place isn’t that large, we should be able to steer the contract in our favor quite easily.”
This was indeed the first time Grant had come to Korea. Until now, the other side had always been the one to propose partnerships with Korean singers.
“I’ve been saying this all along, but the singer we’re meeting today is a rookie. Got it?”
But this time was different.
“For a rookie, a member named Do-hee is already an ambassador for Cartier and Chanel.”
That was something Grant and several producers at Warner Records had already noticed.
“…What I mean is! No matter how much the staff praised the album, they are musicians, and you are a businessman. Anyway!”
“Yeah, I know I’ve graduated with a bachelor’s degree in management and economics from UCLA over 40 years ago.”
What was with him acting like a musician!? Hugo felt like his head was going to explode.
Of course, he had checked out Debonaire’s performances out of curiosity on the way over, and even a lawyer like Hugo found them appealing.
Just like most K-POP artists catching the attention of the American market, their performances were outstanding, and their visuals were stunning too.
Especially the member Woo-ah—she was definitely Hugo’s type.
Even if it was a stereotype for East Asians, Woo-ah’s monolid eyes were incredibly captivating when they drew a line.
Honestly, aside from that, her large, dark eyes were just beautiful with or without double eyelids.
‘She dances well too…’
“The singing is really good, isn’t it?”
“Definitely, the melody is catchy…”
The secretary instinctively shut his mouth, but his boss Grant was already laughing playfully.
It was clear that he had secretly eavesdropped somewhere along the way.
“Anyway, Grant, please, let’s just go with the contract as planned. Got it?”
“Well, I’m an MBA, but what I’ve learned in 40 years is that the music industry isn’t just about playing numbers, haha.”
Hugo wanted to report this guy to the shareholders right away, but he decided to hold back for now.
“Thank you for coming all the way to Korea. I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Grant. I’m Jung So-hyun, the director of Topist.”
Someone who looked like a Topist staff member was coming out to greet them.
“Oh, you know me. Nice to meet you.”
“How could I not? You’re quite famous.”
“Haha, really? I must have become famous more than my abilities since I’ve been popping up everywhere. Ah, this is my secretary.”
Despite being told to maintain a stern image, Grant casually introduced his secretary.
“I’m Hugo, the legal advisor at Warner Records.”
Hugo reiterated his decision to hold back his words while handing over his business card, carefully examining the office’s interior, following without a word.
‘I confirmed that Baron Topist’s artist isn’t a debonair team, but the number of staff is only this much. They don’t have a single overseas base, so we can lower the contract terms a bit.’
Thus, they arrived at the conference room. A few staff members who seemed to be from Topist were seated, and the oldest-looking man with gray hair stood up to greet them warmly.
“Ah, hello! I’m Kim Wi-dong, the president of Topist. Thank you for coming all the way to Korea.”
“Please, don’t feel too burdened.”
However, Grant, being his boss, replied somewhat coldly, making the warm reception feel awkward.
“I only came because I had a visit scheduled with Warner Music Korea’s Korean branch, so I thought it would be efficient to come in person.”
In business meetings, maintaining a business-like attitude and gaining the upper hand was indeed Grant’s habit after more than 40 years in management.
“By the way, the building I saw on the way here is beautiful. The cozy atmosphere is really comfortable. After all, I guess the source of creativity comes from leisure, right?”
Hugo also knew. Even though his boss Grant usually pretended to be a unique person, he was still coolly thorough in his work as a businessman.
It was funny that he came personally out of pure curiosity about Debonaire, but it didn’t really matter. As long as the contract successfully wrapped up, that was all that counted.
“By the way, when can we meet the Debonaire members?”
The Topist president glanced at the female director who was guiding them in response to Grant’s question.
“They are still in the middle of their activity period, but they’ll be here soon.”
“It’s the peak activity period, but they’ll be here soon.”
As expected, Grant quickly glanced over this way, seemingly losing interest.
“Oh, is that so?”
It was a hint to hurry up and proceed with the contract.
Hugo, eager to finish the agreement, was ready to enjoy some sightseeing in Korea, so he decided to meet that expectation.
“Okay, then let’s go over the basic adjusted terms of the contract we discussed earlier.”
Naturally, the ensuing conversation wasn’t smooth sailing.
“The revenue share ratio seems a bit low. Topist is providing the artist, and since they already have a substantial fandom…”
“Our Warner Records is not only investing massive resources in marketing, distribution, and promotion in the North American market, but also reaching out to Japan and Europe…”
Since it was such a large contract, there were countless matters to negotiate on both sides.
“Topist already has experience with the artist’s North American tours. Pastel Love and Xtend filled arena halls—”
“Well, this contract aims at the long-term success of the group Debonaire in the North American market, beyond just touring—”
However, the negotiating power lay with Warner Records.
“How about adding a clause to adjust the ratio if we meet the first year’s revenue targets?”
Such a proposal was easy for them, having been pre-constructed.
“If we exceed sales targets, we will also add a provision for additional benefits to Topist.”
They treated them far more generously than rookies, yet with stricter conditions compared to artists of similar size.
Though the contract hadn’t been signed yet, the flow was undoubtedly positive.
“It seems like it’s worth reviewing once more, but…”
The man referred to as the chairman had a gang-like, almost yakuza vibe, narrowing his eyes, but Hugo thought it was only a matter of time before they signed.
“Whoa!”
Then in the blink of an eye, the yakuza-like gaze suddenly shifted.
[Our kids are here!]
It was like watching a grandfather with incredibly kind eyes seeing his granddaughters, the chairman of Topist transformed.
[Hello, chairman!]
[Oh, greetings, chief!!]
[Please, Chiyo…]
His gaze turned to the members of Debonaire entering the conference room, and despite feeling quite flustered by the sudden change in that gentle gaze, Hugo shifted his focus accordingly.
‘…..!’
He then wore an expression that seemed to suggest he was about to have a heart attack.
[Hahaha, looks like Chiyo’s up to something again! So what if you call me chief? Anyway, kids, say hello to these folks from Warner Records… Wait, where’s Do-hee?]
“From the record label… wait, where’s Do-hee?”
The member known as Woo-ah was astonishingly closer to her ideal type in person than on stage.
“Do-hee spilled a bunch of strawberry latte on her way here, she’s just cleaning up because it’s sticky.”
I knew she was generally more beautiful in real life than on the screen, but she broke through all my aesthetic standards, regardless of being East Asian or anything.
“Still a baby, a bit clumsy.”
Moreover, she seemed to be the tallest among the members.
I’d say she’s about 5 feet 8 inches, roughly 171, 172 cm by international standards.
And somehow, this also fits my ideal type.
“Hello? Thank you for coming to Korea.”
Maybe it’s an instinct that a man can’t help but have when faced with a beauty, but Hugo received Woo-ah’s greeting with a slight hesitation, adopting a cautious demeanor.
There was something about making eye contact that felt oddly pressuring, so he naturally shifted his gaze to his boss sitting to his right.
“Haha, nice to meet you like this.”
Even in moments like this, Grant maintained his usual cheerful expression without a hint of disturbance.
“Wow, everyone is really an astonishing beauty, isn’t it!?”
Still, that was the reason he remained a secretary by this person’s side.
There was so much to learn from him as a businessman.
‘Well, the contract was anyway about to end, so what does it matter?’
“Yes, everyone, I’m glad to meet you. I’m Hugo, the legal advisor of Warner Records.”
With just a sidelong glance at his boss, Hugo quickly regained his composure and prepared himself to sign the contract again as a cool-headed lawyer.
“Grant and I are busy today, so we’d like to expedite the negotiation regarding the earlier conditions. Can we start the discussions again?”
However, the Topist side’s president raised a hand with a gentle smile.
“Just a moment.”
The executives and members from the Topist side had been glancing toward the door several times.
Everyone seemed to be waiting.
Both he and his boss Grant were increasingly drawn to sneak peeks at the door due to the ambiance.
And at last, the door opened.
The member entering while politely greeting was…
“Sorry for being late~”
She was really breathtakingly beautiful, far beyond anyone’s personal aesthetic standards for an ideal type.
However, Hugo maintained his calmness as he looked at Grant.
‘Well, with this person, anyway the contract…’
“Wow! You have no idea how long I’ve waited for you!”
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