Episode 133
While filming the music video, Isabella, checking the footage with Director Kim Eui-chan, said in frustration,
“So if you zoom in with a Dutch angle like that, you can’t see the choreography at all, right? This is the highlight choreography of ‘traitor’! What are you thinking, throwing it away like that? You didn’t do this during the pre-concept meeting!”
It was a completely valid point from the choreographer’s perspective, but even the top-tier director Kim Eui-chan, boasting top skills and career achievements, refused to back down.
“…Tsk, the concept is just that—a concept. It’s a guideline for ‘what if we do it like this?’ When you look at the actual footage, it can always change. That process brings about improvement!”
“And that improvement means focusing on Gyeoul’s tilted face instead of the choreography’s highlight?”
“Tilting? No, this is about focus. It’s about cutting out the unnecessary fluff and showing what needs to be shown! This Dutch angle amplifies Han Gyeoul’s emotional arc as she declares herself a rebel against the evil forces oppressing the members of Girl Revolution!”
The clash between them boiled down to the opposition between a director wanting to focus on narrative direction and a choreographer wanting to highlight the choreography.
Usually, in such cases, the person with the authority would push their opinion through in the name of persuasion, but neither Director Kim Eui-chan nor Choreographer Isabella were the types to relinquish control easily.
After all, both were among the top professionals in the industry.
Thanks to that, the production team, along with the choreography team and the Girl Revolution girls, merely froze in place, dumbfounded, watching the two argue.
“This is why I hate working with directors who have writer’s syndrome. Do you think this is Director Kim’s personal project? It’s fine to have a narrative, but the priority should be effectively showcasing the group Girl Revolution and the song ‘traitor’!”
“Oh dear. Who’s talking like that now? Well, you make a good point. What needs to be showcased right now is Girl Revolution and the song ‘traitor.’ Not the choreography! There are plenty of chances to show the choreography elsewhere, right? Practice videos, crossover edits from music show tours, and events! Trying to push the choreography as the main focus here is just overreaching as a choreographer, don’t you think?”
“That’s because you’ve lost sight of the essence of KPOP, being too focused on your personal work! The reason KPOP succeeded globally and gained public recognition is because of its unique choreography….”
Both of their points had their own logic and reasoning. Therefore, rather than finding a middle ground, their statements merely reinforced each other’s arguments further.
So instead of finding a middle ground, they just kept doubling down on their arguments.
Amidst the escalating tension as Isabella and Kim Eui-chan were getting louder, Cheon Aram clicked her tongue and chimed in.
“Hey, do you really want to act like this with everyone gathered around? Everyone here is on pause because of you two! They all gathered to work, not to watch your little showdown.”
“‘….’”
It seemed Cheon Aram’s down-to-earth comment left both of them speechless, and they sat there awkwardly in silence.
Seeing them like that, Cheon Aram clicked her tongue again and lightly said,
“And why are you even thinking about it? The answer is obvious.”
Oh, is she trying to play the role of the president and sort things out?
That was a perfect intervention. Both sides have their pros and cons, and it’s hard to determine which is better, so whatever decision is made, I would support it as long as it ends this dispute.
Both of them appeared to sense that Cheon Aram’s words would determine the fate of this music video, gazing at her with tense eyes.
“Just create both versions. We can split them and upload both.”
“…What?”
…No, the production costs are going to skyrocket. Is that really okay?
Even Director Kim Eui-chan seemed to have the same concern and questioned her back.
“…Then, the production costs will go up almost 1.5 times, right? Honestly, if we really get a proper estimate, it might increase even more.”
Cheon Aram looked at Director Kim Eui-chan, smiled sweetly, and said,
“Director Kim, have you forgotten who the sponsor of TwoBear is?”
She glanced at Yeoreum, looking pleased as if she were confident.
“We have a lot of money.”
“‘…’”
With such a ludicrous answer, the two of them glanced at each other and quietly returned to their workstations.
That was a perfect solution.
However, I still had a lingering question, so I cautiously approached Cheon Aram and asked.
“President Cheon. But is that really okay? No matter how much investment there is, we’ll definitely get some feedback, right? I’m a bit skeptical about making such a big financial decision on the spot. Honestly, I don’t have the guts to convince the investors to shoot two versions of the music video.”
While shooting two music videos would be nice, it wasn’t exactly a cost-effective project. The investors would likely have reservations.
“If I try to explain it to all the investors, it might be tough, but this time, all we have to do is convince Jinkang.”
“Oh… I see. So President Cheon was already prepared to persuade Jinkang, huh?”
So she already had a plan! I trusted her. Presidente!
“Ah, I see you’ve been here. I had faith in you, President Cheon.”
“But isn’t it Team Leader Seon’s job to persuade?”
…Huh? Me?
“In that sense, a meeting has been scheduled with Jin Baek-ho, Yeoreum’s father, tomorrow, so Team Leader Seon, go talk to him well. Oh, and since Yeoreum insisted on accompanying you, make sure to bring her along.”
“…But I have a lot of work right now. Can’t I refuse? Honestly, I think it would be better for President Cheon to go.”
“Nope, you can’t refuse. He specifically asked for you, Team Leader Seon.”
…Help me, that guy is scary.
*
“So, is my daughter’s debut going well?”
I awkwardly swallowed a piece of steak while trying to maintain my composure.
“Yes, we’re putting together only the best talent and equipment, achieving a level of quality that can’t be surpassed. I am confident it won’t fall short compared to the top three broadcasting stations in terms of production.”
Jin Baek-ho nodded slightly at my confident remark and stroked his chin.
“I can see that, but I wanted to assure you that I haven’t found any major flaws in the song or video. Honestly, I thought you should be confident when you came in front of me back then. …Oh, please don’t take my scrutinizing gaze too negatively. I am, after all, an investor, right? I have the right to check how my money is being spent.”
Seeing Jin Baek-ho speak seriously, his wife Lee Ga-eun, with a look of disdain, lightly dabbed her lips with a napkin and said, “Why not just say you’re worried about Yeoreum instead of dancing around the issue? Honestly, I’m embarrassed when you beat around the bush like that.”
“…Ah, honey, I’m talking business here.”
“Hmm… business, you say? You really wanted to discuss business even after coming all the way here? Didn’t you say we’d keep it brief to avoid putting pressure on Taeyang? You know I dislike people changing their words, right?”
“…I’m sorry, honey.”
It was a rare sight to see the usually unshakeable Jin Baek-ho flustered, as if even a knife wouldn’t draw a drop of blood from him. Yeoreum seemed to think I’d find his behavior bizarre, smiling softly as she explained.
“Hehe, isn’t it fascinating? My dad was a passionate suitor in his marriage. He practically begged my mom! So, he can’t win against her.”
“…Daughter, what will that make my image to Team Leader Seon?”
“A devoted father loved by his wife and daughter?”
Suddenly bombarded by her daughter’s cuteness, Jin Baek-ho struggled to suppress his laughter, his mouth twitching and nostrils flaring, he said quietly, “…I don’t think I could ever let my precious daughter go to another man.”
“I don’t have the confidence to hand this over to a man.”
As he said that, Jin Baek-ho glared at me.
Feeling the pressure, I quietly looked away.
Seeing this, he wiped away all the remaining playfulness from his expression and asked with utmost seriousness.
“So, how is the image improvement plan for Yeoreum progressing? If we debut her without any countermeasures, it’s obvious that the previously subdued public opinion will explode once again, and the doping controversy will resurface. You’re not seriously thinking of just debuting her, are you?”
Not at all. Cheon Aram, Seo Soo-yeon, and I were not that irresponsible.
“First of all, it’s impossible to use the name Jin Yeoreum as is.”
“Do you mean you’re just planning to hide it?”
“We will hide it, but not for long. It’s inevitable that it will be revealed later that she was Jin Yeoreum, a promising rhythmic gymnast. So, we will unveil it under the guidance of TwoBear.”
“When will that be?”
“At least when she ranks number one on a music show. We need that level to build a fandom strong enough to withstand the controversy. Once we have a solid fanbase, we will reveal her story and life, along with her regrets and dreams, in a storytelling documentary format, disclosing that she was indeed Jin Yeoreum. By then, we think we’ll be able to control the narrative around it: opposition, sensationalism, controversy.”
“I understand your intention; I don’t think you lack the capability, but…won’t it be seen as emotional manipulation?”
“Essentially, it is emotional manipulation. But there’s a kind that people knowingly overlook.”
“…Overlook what exactly?”
I looked at Yeoreum, as if it were obvious.
“It has to do with how absurdly beautiful and charming the subject is.”
If I had to choose the most beautiful face in this country, Yeoreum’s beauty would be the top pick. With this level of beauty, such a twist was possible.
“…Hehe.”
As our eyes met, Yeoreum looked at me with a dreamy gaze and burst into laughter.
Seeing her bright smile made me laugh as well, and we shared a moment of joy.
“You two look great together. Honey?”
“You say that, but in my eyes, Team Leader Seon seems to have some ulterior motives…”
“Dad, if you say anything disrespectful to Team Leader Seon, I won’t sit still.”
“….”
Hearing Yeoreum’s firm words, Jin Baek-ho spoke weakly, as if the world was too bitter.
“I want to go back to 13 years ago when I used to lift little Yeoreum high high.”
…Well, hang in there, Yeoreum’s dad.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
