Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All

Chapter 270: Team Lead Wang Long (1)

Kang Gam-Chan looked around the bustling meeting room and shouted, "What's with all the buzz?"

"Well, don't you think that combination might be a bit problematic?"

Someone expressed concern over the discomfort caused by Sung Ho-Jun's transfer issue from a few days ago.

Kang Gam-Chan simply scoffed and rebuked the team leads. "Come on! How long are you all going to hold grudges over the past? We have tasks on-hand to handle and you're all out of it!"

The team leads fell silent looked discouraged at Kang Gam-Chan's reprimand.

Kang Gam-Chan looked at Lee Gi-Cheol. "Director Lee, are you uncomfortable working with Team Lead Jung?"

"N-no, sir."

"You are perfect for this job since you are fluent in Chinese and have many Chinese friends. And Team Lead Jung, take this opportunity to learn some overseas work from Director Lee and Chief Kim."

Lee Gi-Cheol nodded.

Then Kang Gam-Chan turned to look at Kim Dong-Soo. "Chief Kim. You don't have a problem with working with Team Lead Jung, do you?"

Kim Dong-Soo glanced at me and sighed. "To be honest with you, I do."

Kang Gam-Chan's eyes widened at Kim Dong-Soo's blunt confession. "You..."

"But I'm not so foolish as to mix personal feelings and professional matters."

Only then did Kang Gam-Chan nod. "Good. That's the Chief Kim I know."

Ju Ho-Sung frowned, suggesting that Kim Dong-Soo originally wanted to take him along.

Kang Gam-Chan asked me the same question, but I replied that I had no issue working with the two since I understood Kang Gam-Chan's intention—he wanted me to keep an eye on Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo during the partnership contract meetings.

"Alright then. Let's end today's meeting here. Team Lead Jung, stop by the secretary's office to get the key to the VIP vehicle," said Kang Gam-Chan.

"Yes, Mr. Kang."

"Today's meeting is over!"

***

Lee Gi-Cheol sat in the backseat while Chief Kim Dong-Soo sat beside me on the way to Incheon International Airport to greet guests from the Shanghai New Media Inc. Group.

In my past life, we used to chat about various things on the way to the airport since we were in the same Actor Division 3.

However, now there was only silence.

Then Lee Gi-Cheol spoke first while crossing the Incheon Bridge. "Make sure not to make any mistakes with the guests we're meeting today."

I nodded. "Yes, sir."

"Can you speak Chinese, Team Lead Jung?" Lee Gi-Cheol asked.

There was a hint of confidence in his question since both Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo were quite fluent in Chinese.

"I can speak a little."

"That's a relief."

Kim Dong-Soo frowned as if he didn't expect me to be able to speak Chinese.

He cleared his throat and spoke. "Ahem. Anyway, all you have to do is just handle Team Lead Wang Long. He won't have much influence on the partnership anyway, so just keep him happy. I'll take care of Director Zhang Xuan with Mr. Lee."

"Understood, Mr. Kim."

Although I replied as if I was displeased about being excluded from important matters, the truth was that Wang Long was the key figure.

Wang Long was known only as the head of Overseas Business Division 1 at Shanghai New Media Inc. Group, but Wang Long's true identity was the only son of Shenzhen's Deputy Secretary Wang Min.

In order to keep Wang Long's identity strictly confidential, the president was the only person within Shanghai New Media Inc. Group who knew this.

Unaware of this fact, Kim Dong-Soo and Lee Gi-Cheol were focused only on Zhang Xuan.

At that moment, Lee Gi-Cheol joined the conversation. "Team Lead Jung, you just take Team Lead Wang Long around and show him a good time. In the meantime, we'll work on persuading Director Zhang to finalize the partnership contract."

It seemed Lee Gi-Cheol wanted to ensure I didn't contribute anything to this negotiation. I had no complaints about that as building rapport with Wang Long was more important to me than the contract.

"Yes, sir."

Although my compliant attitude puzzled the two, they seemed to think it was in their favor and didn't bother questioning it.

I started thinking about what Wang Long might enjoy as I watched the planes take off and land at Incheon Airport.

After crossing the Incheon Bridge, we parked and headed to the arrivals area with a prepared sign.

After a short wait, first-class passengers from the 9:30 a.m. flight began to emerge.

The first to walk out of the gate was the 170 cm tall Zhang Xuan who had a chubby figure and was wearing sunglasses. Following him was Wang Long, who stood around 180 cm with a model-like physique, pulling a Louis' Batton suitcase and a regular one in each hand.

Wang Long's celebrity-like appearance made people at the airport steal glances at him.

Spotting Zhang Xuan, Lee Gi-Cheol greeted him fluently in Chinese. "Ah! Hello, Mr. Zhang!"

Zhang Xuan raised his hand in greeting and answered, "How have you been, Mr. Lee?"

"It's been two years. You look even better than you used to before."

The two seemed like they already knew each other. Kim Dong-Soo also joined in, exchanging greetings and business cards.

Wang Long concealed his identity and handed out his business card just like in my past life.

"I'm Wang Long, Team Lead of the Overseas Business Division 1."

Although his Korean was awkward, his humble attitude was apparent. Despite his powerful father, Wang Long despised relying on power unlike other powerful or wealthy individuals.

"I'm Jung Yoon-Ho, Team Lead of Actor Division 2 at Hoop Entertainment. I'll do my best to assist you during your stay in Korea, sir."

Wang Long gave a faint smile upon hearing my somewhat awkward Chinese.

After sharing greetings, Lee Gi-Cheol pointed toward the parking lot. "Alright. Shall we get going?"

Lee Gi-Cheol and Kim Dong-Soo stuck close to Zhang Xuan as they headed to the parking lot.

When I tried to load the suitcases left in front of me onto a cart, Wang Long smiled and asked me to only move his superior's Louis' Batton suitcase.

"Superiors are the same whether in China or Korea," Wang Long remarked.

I nodded and spoke cautiously. "I understand you studied in New York. I find English more comfortable than Chinese...May I speak in English if you don't mind?"

When I stuttered and spoke in poor Chinese, Wang Long nodded with a bright expression. "Of course. Sometimes I also find it more comfortable speaking in English."

"Thank you so much. For the next three days, I'll be responsible for guiding you through the Korean drama and entertainment scenes you want to see," I responded politely with a smile.

Wang Long looked at me with surprised eyes. "How did you know I wanted to visit Korean production sites?"

"Well, I did some advanced researching since I knew that esteemed guests were coming. I heard you're a big fan of Korean dramas, especially those starring Miss Ju Yung-In."

Wang Long looked at me with a gaze full of goodwill. "Looks like I'll have quite an enjoyable three days."

Forgetting about our superiors waiting ahead, Wang Long and I walked slowly while conversing.

Upon arriving at the parking lot, we saw three people sweating profusely under the hot sun.

Lee Gi-Cheol waved his hand in a flustered manner. "Team Lead Jung! What took you so long?"

'That's why you should have moved with me, the one holding the car key,' I remarked inwardly.

***

We headed to the lobby after parking the car in Hoop Entertainment's first-floor parking lot.

After a brief welcome, we attended a meeting with Kang Gam-Chan and the executives. Although we intended to have a simple tea time, Zhang Xuan proactively suggested discussing the contract first.

Despite having exchanged the basic documents for the partnership already, there was no progress on the detailed clauses. Just like in my past life, the issue of profit distribution remained problematic.

Kang Gam-Chan proposed that in China, Shanghai New Media Inc. Group would take 70% and Hoop Entertainment 30%, and vice versa in Korea.

However, Zhang Xuan immediately expressed his refusal. "There seems to be some disagreement here. We propose a 90-10 split in our favor in China, and a 60-40 split in your favor in Korea."

Zhang Xuan was cleverly using the current situation with the ban on Korean content to his advantage.

Everyone from Kang Gam-Chan to Kang Ji-Yung furrowed their brows slightly.

No matter how big the Chinese market was, this wasn't the attitude of a fair partnership candidate.

As a result, the negotiations circled around and we agreed to meet again tomorrow, finally ending the schedule for the day.

The current time was 11:30 a.m..

Kang Gam-Chan stopped Zhang Xuan and Wang Long who were about to head to the hotel and asked, "I'd like to treat you to lunch. Would you be willing to join us?"

Zhang Xuan nodded. "Will there be drinks?"

Although it was an absurd request for a daytime drink, Kang Ji-Yung accepted it without hesitation. "Of course. We've prepared some good liquor."

Zhang Xuan nodded with a delighted expression. "Ha ha ha, you really know my taste."

"Alright, let's go."

At that moment, Wang Long said something in a low voice to Zhang Xuan.

Zhang Xuan nodded, then spoke to Kang Gam-Chan.

"Team Lead Wang would like to visit a drama filming site instead of having lunch together. Do you think that is possible?"

"He won't have lunch?"

"No. Team Lead Wang here isn't good with alcohol. Ha ha ha, he's trying to avoid disrupting the atmosphere, so please don't misunderstand."

I remembered that Wang Long had asked to visit the site even in my past life.

"I know it's impolite, but I'd like to take this opportunity to properly study the Korean filming site situation," Wang Long explained.

Kang Gam-Chan looked at me. "Team Lead Jung... what do you think?"

He seemed to prefer that I stay with Lee Gi-Cheol to continue the contract progress. However, I answered that I would follow Wang Long's opinion. After all, regardless of what decision Zhang Xuan made, the words Wang Long would say to the president after returning would be more valuable.

Kang Gam-Chan nodded with a disappointed expression. "Is that so? Alright. Then, Team Lead Jung, please take good care of Mr. Wang."

"Yes, sir," I replied as I stood up with with Wang Long.

***

I headed to the filming site of In the Name of God with Wang Long.

When I suggested we eat something first, he said two rolls of kimbap would suffice, so I bought four basic kimbap rolls from a chain store in front of the company and got in the car.

"Are you sure this will do?" I asked.

Wang Long took a big bite of the kimbap wrapped in foil. "I often see scenes in Korean dramas where they eat kimbap, jjajangmyeon, and tteokbokki deliciously. I've always wanted to try it like that."

Wang Long said it tasted better than he expected and quickly devoured two rolls of kimbap.

On the way to the site, Wang Long bombarded me with questions about the Korean filming scene.

In my past life, we could barely converse due to my poor Chinese. This time, however, our conversation kept flowing since we started using English right away upon meeting each other.

After about a 1 hour and 30 minute drive, we arrived at the filming site of In the Name of God located in Yangpyeong and I introduced Wang Long to Cha Soo-Yeon.

"He's the team lead of the Overseas Business Division at Shanghai New Media Inc.? Someone that young?" Cha Soo-Yeon remarked in amazement.

I nodded. "Yes, if things go well, our project might be exported to China too."

"Really? Do you have a plan?"

"It's difficult at the moment but I'll give it a try. So please cooperate with me."

After roughly explaining Wang Long's role, Cha Soo-Yeon's face brightened and she allowed him to observe the site.

Only after greeting Kim Sung-Woon did we finally head over to Yoo-Jin's waiting chair.

Yoo-Jin, who was reading the script, saw us and greeted us with a nod. "Mr. Wang Long, it's very nice to meet you. I'm actress Jung Yoo-Jin."

"Nice to meet you."

When the two exchanged greetings, I asked Yoo-Jin for an autograph. Yoo-Jin gladly signed and wrote Wang Long's Chinese name below.

At that moment, Wang Long's face instantly lit up like a child's. "How did you know my name...?"

"Yoon-Ho oppa asked me in advance. I've been practicing since yesterday."

Wang Long looked touched. "Thank you, Mr. Jung."

"No problem. I just try to not miss any fans, you know?"

"Treasure every meeting as if it's the last, huh? You're amazing," Wang Long replied with a content smile.

Then Yoo-Jin got up and said she had to go for the shoot.

"Good luck today. Be careful during the chase scene, okay?" I reminded her.

"Don't worry. I have all the protective gear on as you instructed," Yoo-Jin replied cheerfully.

Since she had to shoot in a redevelopment area set, she was fully equipped with protective gear. Yoo-Jin rolled up her sleeves to show the protective gear inside.

"See? It's all set, right?"

"Yeah. Okay."

I gave a nod after checking the condition of the protective gear once more.

"Alright. You got this."

Yoo-Jin answered cheerfully and headed to the set. "Yes!"

Watching Yoo-Jin head to the set, I told Wang Long that I would open up the filming sites from TVM's Master of Mukbang to the current shoot of Kang Ha-Na's Hit the Bottom and Rise Again, Ha-Na!

But at that moment, Wang Long hesitated and spoke with difficulty. "Mr. Jung, thank you for your kind offer. But could I also get an autograph from Miss Ju Yung-In by chance? My fiancée is a huge fan of hers."

That's when I began to take deep breaths.

The reason I wanted to meet Wang Long wasn't just because of his future as the president of Shanghai New Media Inc., but also because of a specific event still noted in my planner.

[Everyday V10.1]

[Date: September 5, 2020]

-07:00 p.m.: Wang Long's fiancée, Lily's, funeral.

I didn't want to see Wang Long, one of the few friends I had in my past life, in such pain again.

Hence, I was determined to save the future of Wang Long and his fiancée Lily.