Story of a Big Player from Gangnam

Gun-Ho asked, "What about the pizza restaurant on the second floor? When are you going to open it?"

"We are working on its interior right now, and we are planning to open it this Friday. We had to receive training for that restaurant as well, and that delayed our opening a little bit."

"You have a floor manager for each restaurant, right?"

"Yeah, they are all young female managers in their 20s. We pay them good, and they work hard and well."

"Once the pizza restaurant is open on the second floor, you will feel less busy."

"That's what I'm expecting. Once our KFC was open to the public and also our Korean-style deep-fried restaurant that is serving beer came to this food alley, the area seems to become busier. I see more young people hanging around in this area."

"Really?"

"Not just me, but several business owners in this area noticed the change and told me about it too. The owner of the copy place nearby and the old man, who is spending a lot of time sitting on a chair with his shirt off in the alley, told me."

"It is a good change to have different colors in the area. The new population is coming into the area, and that's a good sign for the business."

Once he got off the phone with Jae-Sik Moon, Gun-Ho received a call from Director Woon-Hak Sim from Shanghai City in China.

"It's Director Woon-Hak Sim, sir. You must have just gotten off the phone with someone. I kept calling you, and your phone line was busy until now."

"Oh, I was talking with President Moon in Antang City, China. How are you?"

"I just had a meeting at Huanle Shiji Production Company for the movie production. We officially announced that we will make the movie, and a movie director has been appointed as well."

"Are you taking the position of the movie director, Director Sim?"

"Yes, but Director Yan Wu will oversee the entire work since most of the staff and actors are Chinese people."

"Isn't Director Yan Wu currently working with producing the TV drama—Shiguang Ru Meng?"

"That's correct. He is directing the photography and the progress of the TV drama production. He is a very competent man for what he does."

"What are you directing, Mr. Director Sim?"

"I will direct the entire making of the movie. We already finished organizing our production team as well."

"Is that right?"

"We had our pre-production meeting with the entire staff, and we are also done with making the storyboard. Once we complete casting for actors and actresses, the pre-production stage will be completed. They will soon hold a movie production presentation to attract more investors. Huanle Shiji Production Company's President Baogang Chen said that he would soon send out the official letter about the presentation via email."

"Hmm, I see."

"Most of the staff are from Huanle Shiji Production Company's staff, and the film scenario is done, and even if we didn't officially contact each staff member for the work, we already know who's going to work with us."

"You mean that after the movie production presentation for potential investors is done, and also after they cast actors and actresses, they will initiate the actual movie production stage, right?"

"That's correct, sir. The production presentation for investors is not absolutely necessary since you will provide half of the production cost, Mr. President Goo. However, it seems like President Baogang Chen wants to have the presentation anyway for marketing purposes."

"Marketing purposes?"

"President Baogang Chen is probably expecting to see news coverage saying that Korean investors are competitively participating in investing in this movie production with a lot of cash, or why Korea investors are showing a great interest in this particular movie production to make their investment? Something like that."

"Haha, I see. Are you going to work with the same Chinese male actor who you worked with for the TV drama?"

"No, sir. We will cast another actor. That actor is a good-looking man, but he looks far from a spy type at all, so we determined that he is not an adequate actor who would successfully play our spy role in the movie."

"I didn't know that there are certain types of people who look like a spy."

"Haha, I don't think either in the real world, but since it's a movie, we need someone who also looks like a spy to make the movie more convincing and believable to the viewers. The actor in Shiguang Ru Meng is not very masculine or manly. In my opinion, he is a good fit for a role in a love story only."

"What about the lead female actor? Are you thinking of Lia?"

"For now, yes, I want to work with Lia again, but I haven't officially talked with her agency—BM Entertainment—about it just yet. My concern is that they might ask for a high-performance pay this time."

"Hmm, is that right?"

"And, I will have to ask you for a favor again, sir."

"What is it?"

"The attorney's office contacted me about the deposit that I have to pay to the court. You know, it's about my filing for general rehabilitation."

"How much are they asking"

"They are asking for 8 million won, sir."

"Hmm, you will need 8 million won then."

"Ms. President Shin gave me 10 million won last time as my advance pay. After paying the attorney's retainer fee, I still have 5 million won left. I think another 5 million won will do."

"Okay, then I will have Ms. President Shin send you 5 million won."

"Thank you, sir."

"That money will be recorded as your pay in advance this time just like last time. I will talk to GH Media's Ms. President Shin about it."

"Thank you, sir. I will sign the paper for the advanced pay when I visit Korea next time; I will have to be present at the court when it asks every one of interest to attend."

"That sounds good. We will send 5 million won to your personal bank account, Mr. Director Sim."

"Thank you, sir."

After getting off the phone with Director Sim, Gun-Ho made a call to GH Media's Ms. President Shin.

"It's Gun-Ho Goo."

"Yes, sir. It's Jeong-Sook Shin speaking."

"Please send 5 million won to Director Sim's personal bank account in China. It's an advanced pay for him. He will sign the paper when he visits Korea next time."

"Again, sir?"

"Haha. It seems that he has his situation that requires money now. Please do so for him. You don't have to worry about it. If he can't repay the amount, I will take full responsibility."

"Yes, sir. I will send it to him."

"Also, Huanle Shiji Production Company will soon have a movie production presentation in Shanghai City, aiming for potential investors. You should attend the presentation, Ms. President Shin."

"Me, sir?"

"You just need to be there, and you don't have to do anything. Just have the meal that they'll provide to you and remain seated while smiling."

"Haha, really?"

"And, when they later give you an investment letter, sign on it before you fly back to Korea."

"When do you want me to leave for Shanghai City?"

"They will send me the invitation letter via mail. I will let you know when I learn the exact date."

"Okay, sir. I hope it is not this Saturday. I won't be available that day."

"Are you going somewhere this Saturday?"

"Someone in my family is getting married that day, and I have to be there."

"I see. Well, I will make sure that they don't hold the presentation this Saturday."