Chapter 343: Mayfly (2)
Haru's appearance fee for Master of Mukbang had been 2.5 million won per episode. I multiplied that by exactly 20 and quoted 50 million won per episode for the sequel.
Jo Eung-Cheon swallowed hard and responded, "T-Team Lead Jung, isn't 50 million won a bit too much?"
However, I had no intention of lowering Haru's fee. This was the perfect time to raise Haru's value with all the buzz around his next project.
"My apologies, but we've already received numerous offers to cast Haru, so..."
Yoo Hyun-Ji blinked and gave me a pitiful look. "Can you please lower Haru's fee just a bit? He's still young and there will be plenty of opportunities to raise it in the future."
"I'm sorry, but Haru's current market value is much higher than what you two are estimating."
Seeing that I wasn't going to budge, Yoo Hyun-Ji played her last card. "If we increase Haru's fee, we'll have to cut back on the staff. You know how tough things are right now, don't you? It would be a shame if all those people from the outsourced production company lost their jobs, wouldn't it?"
It was a predictable negotiation tactic, but not something I could simply dismiss. It was true that freelancers could lose their jobs if the negotiations fell through.
However, according to my calculations, TVM could definitely afford Haru's fee.
"I know that the ad rates for slots before and after shows featuring Haru have been hitting record highs. Even the rerun viewership ratings are high, so I hear the rerun ad rates are quite impressive as well," I replied.
Yoo Hyun-Ji flinched. "How... how do you know that?"
"Well, no matter how much the broadcasting station tries to keep it quiet, it's obvious that the ad agencies talk."
The drama Haru appeared in had unusually high rerun viewership ratings.
So even though the ad rates were higher than other dramas, these two were still trying to lower Haru's fee despite having earned tens of billions in additional ad revenue through Master of Mukbang.
When I countered with data, Yoo Hyun-Ji began to speak emotionally this time as another tactic. "Really? Are you going to be this strict?"
I looked at her as if to say, 'Why are you stating the obvious?'
'Isn't negotiating supposed to be strict?' I remarked inwardly.
At that moment, Jo Eung-Cheon, seemingly unwilling to give up, tried another tactic. "Team Lead Jung, let's make it easy for both of us. How about 40 million won per episode? That's our limit. Sure, we can pay 50 million. But if we go that high, the staff will get a pay cut."
'Still trying to save money, huh?' I thought.
I had no choice but to use my own brinkmanship tactics. "Understood. Then I'll have to take Haru to the new program SBC is producing. I'm sure they're willing to offer over 50 million won for him."
SBC had recently offered Haru the lead role in a new 10 p.m. drama, Story Bar.
They wanted him to play a grandson who helps his grandmother run a bar, and the actress Lee Sa-Rang was being considered for the grandmother's role.
At that moment, Yoo Hyun-Ji suddenly raised her hands in a panic. "W-wait, wait!"
Yoo Hyun-Ji and Jo Eung-Cheon asked me to give them a moment and then started whispering to each other.
After a short discussion, Jo Eung-Cheon spoke with a determined look. "Alright, alright. I'll admit I made some mistakes, so we'll agree to 50 million won per episode. Is that good enough?"
"Then what about the pay cut for the outsourced production staff? If Haru's fee is being raised at the expense of their pay, I won't agree to it."
"Okay, fine! We'll increase the production budget by 20%, so it should be just barely manageable."
Indeed, the entertainment industry was fascinating. It was a world where popularity outweighed money, power, and talent.
Convinced I would raise the price again if we waited until tomorrow, they hurried me. "Alright, then let's record the agreement before anything changes!"
I tried to hide my victory smile. 'I got you.'
Yoo Hyun-Ji and I took out our phones and recorded a verbal agreement. After completing the deal and expressing my gratitude, Yoo Hyun-Ji smiled and made one last request. "Now that Haru is officially with us, please make sure he wins today."
"Yes, ma'am!"
After saying goodbye, I returned to our team's waiting area with a lighter step.
***
There were two hours left until the start of part one of the finals of Table of Mukbang.
Haru and Lee Jin-Taek were being interviewed at the cooking table at the front of the set.
Meanwhile, the previously eliminated stars, Cherry Blossom members, and Lee Byung-Jun from TK Entertainment were waiting their turn for interviews in the guest seating area.
As the audience seats were still empty, all the staff's attention was focused on the set.
A moment later, Jo Han-Ill called for a short break as Haru and Lee Jin-Taek's interview ended. "We'll take a ten-minute break. After the break, we'll start with Cherry Blossom and Mr. Lee Byung-Jun's interviews. All talent agents, please get them ready."
I quickly gathered the Cherry Blossom members who were waiting in the guest seating area and said to Saei-Ri, "Sae-Ri. Once the interview starts, they're definitely going to focus a lot of questions on you. You know what you need to do, right?"
Sae-Ri nodded, understanding that they would bring up what happened yesterday. "Yes, I'll just say that Haru and I are childhood friends and that the rumors are completely false. That's good, right?"
"Exactly. No matter what questions they ask, just answer them that. Don't get caught off guard."
"Got it!"
"And if they ask anything too tricky, Yeon-Hee and Eun-Bi, you two should cut in and change the topic. Okay?"
Woo Yeon-Hee and Yang Eun-Bi nodded in agreement. "Okay."
Shortly after, microphones were handed to the Cherry Blossom members as they returned to the guest seating area.
When the interview began, the host focused all the tricky questions on Sae-Ri, just as expected.
However, Sae-Ri responded perfectly and deflected every single question.
"So you're saying you and Mr. Haru are just friends? You're not just saying that for the broadcast, are you?"
"We're not just friends: we're really close friends. We grew up together since we were kids, after all."
Sae-Ri didn't waver at all no matter what they asked. In fact, she even launched a counterattack at the end. "And my grandmother consulted a famous shaman who said I shouldn't date until I'm 26!"
The audience buzzed with excitement at Sae-Ri's comment.
"26? But... that's ten years from now."
"Yes. I only plan to love my fans until then. I love you, Cherry Blossom Family!"
Sae-Ri sent a flurry of small finger hearts toward the camera, saying it was for her fan club.
Kim Jin-Tae, the MC who had tried every trick to get a reaction out of Sae-Ri, could only surrender in the end.
***
It was 4 p.m, and there was only one hour left until the competition.
However, my focus wasn't on Haru but elsewhere. I was worried Haru's father might show up here.
I let out a sigh. 'Of all days, why did they have to choose 50 audience members through a live draw today...'
Out of the 100 audience members, half would be chosen through a live draw, making it impossible to fully control the situation.
Just then, I received a call from Lee Soo-Chan.
He had sent people to the Suwon nursing hospital where Haru's mother was supposed to be, and it seemed like they finally had an update.
I stepped outside the studio for a moment to take Lee Soo-Chan's call. "Did you find her?"
-Yes. Mdm. Natalia is still working at the hospital as a caregiver.
Finally, we found Haru's mother. At that moment, I let out a sigh of relief without realizing it. "Phew~ So did you meet her?"
-No. She hasn't come in yet because she is on the night shift.
The nursing hospital where Haru's mother worked had strict security, so they couldn't even get inside. Instead, they managed to confirm her presence by speaking with visitors leaving the hospital.
They also learned that she was working under the name 'Na Yung-Hee,' not Natalia.
"Alright. Call me as soon as she arrives. I need to talk to her."
-I will.
"And thank you. I owe you as always."
-Not at all. We've received so much help from you too.
My legs felt shaky after hanging up the phone.
On the day of Haru's final match, we also found his mother as if it were all fated. "Thank goodness..."
Now, even if Haru's father tried to make a scene and take Haru away, I could resolve the issue by convincing his mother: the other legal guardian.
Time passed quickly and it was now 4:20 p.m.
"Let the general audience members in," commanded Jo Han-Ill over the intercom.
The entrance doors to the second-floor audience seats opened and pre-selected audience members and those chosen on-site started entering. They appeared to be mainly family groups with at least three people in each group.
However, among them, a man wearing a black cap and standing alone caught my eye.
'Is this really fate?' I wondered.
Despite asking the staff to keep him out, Haru's father Lee Hyung-Moon had somehow managed to show up here as if by some cruel twist of fate.
He took a seat in the far-right corner of the audience section.
As soon as I spotted him, I quickly called the talent agents over. "Haru's father has entered the venue."
Lee Yung-Jin's eyes widened in shock. "What? But I showed his picture to the ADs and told them not to let him in under any circumstances!"
However, with the chaos of a live broadcast, it was common for such requests from talent agents to be overlooked.
It wouldn't help to argue over who was at fault now.
"The AD outside must have made a mistake," I remarked.
Lee Yung-Jin looked apologetic. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Jung. I should have been more careful."
"It's fine. That's not important right now. He's in the far-right corner of the audience section and he's wearing a black baseball cap. Make sure he doesn't get anywhere near Haru. Got it?"
"Yes, sir."
The talent agents' expressions turned grim, knowing how Haru's father had treated him.
I quickly reminded them to keep it together. "Stay focused. What will you do if Haru finds out?"
"Yes, Mr. Jung."
"We have some time, so I'll go to the audience section and try to handle it myself. Stay at your positions and be ready in case anything unexpected happens."
As the talent agents turned to leave after receiving instructions, I shared a bit of hopeful news. "By the way, we just found Haru's mother. So we only need to get through this stage today."
Only then did the talent agents' expressions brighten slightly.
"Really?"
"Wow, things are falling into place."
"If Haru's mother is here, this could solve everything."
"Right? But don't let your guard down and stay alert until the end."
As soon as the talent agents returned to their positions, I quickly exited the studio on the first floor and headed to the second-floor audience section.
***
With the staff pass around my neck, no one stopped me.
The entrance to the audience seats was on the second floor of the studio. The corridor on the second floor was bustling with staff running around. I took a deep breath and opened the door to the audience section.
After pushing aside the blackout curtains that prevented light from seeping in, I stepped into the studio. As I had seen earlier, a man in a black cap was seated in the most secluded corner of the second-floor audience seats.
It was Haru's father, Lee Hyung-Moon.
I cautiously approached him and whispered, "Mr. Hyung-Moon, could we talk outside for a moment?"
The man, who had been looking down, turned his gaze toward me and looked startled. "Gasp!"
"Please, let's talk outside without causing a scene..." I urged him
Lee Hyung-Moon glanced around nervously and reluctantly nodded. "O-okay, let's do that."
After leading Lee Hyung-Moon out of the audience seats, I asked him bluntly, "Why are you here?"
He swallowed hard and wore a pitiful expression. "I'm here because today is Haru's final match. I've overcome my alcoholism and just wanted to see him. I swear, I'm fine now!"
"You've recovered completely?"
"Yes. I just want to see his face and then I'll leave. I was curious to see how much my boy has grown..."
He insisted that he would leave quietly after the competition, but I didn't believe him.
In my past life, the most troublesome actors I dealt with were those addicted to alcohol and drugs. After all, substance abuse weakened a person's willpower and could destroy them.
Moreover, Lee Hyung-Moon's demeanor was suspicious. 'He seems too normal.'
People who have just recovered from addiction usually showed symptoms like lethargy and depression due to alcohol withdrawal.
However, the Lee Hyung-Moon standing before me was far too lively. 'He must have had a drink right after leaving the hospital.'
Even a small drink could temporarily restore an alcoholic's energy like rain in a drought. However, one drink would become two, and eventually, they would fall back into their old habits.
'I've seen this too many times to be fooled,' I thought.
I replied, "If you truly care about Haru, you should leave now. Don't forget the agreement we signed stating that you'd pay compensation if you ever showed up in front of him again."
At that moment, Lee Hyung-Moon's desperate expression suddenly vanished, revealing his true colors. "Damn it... do you really have to do this?"
"I've dealt with people like you more times than I can count. Did you forget our agreement? You accepted the money and promised never to appear in front of Haru again!" I responded firmly.
"Oh, that? A lawyer I met in rehab told me that any contract made under duress is invalid," Lee Hyung-Moon retorted.
"You are unbelievable. Do you really believe a lawyer you met in rehab?"
Lee Hyung-Moon chuckled. "Haha. Of course I do. But don't worry. I'm not here to cause trouble."
"Then what do you want?"
"I'm Haru's biological father. I'm not going to cause a scene and block my own chance at money. Just deposit half of the earnings into my account and I'll keep my mouth shut."
Lee Hyung-Moon patted my shoulder and wore a smug smile as if he'd won.
However, now that I had found Haru's mother, I had no reason to hold back. We were already preparing to file a lawsuit against him.
I grabbed his hand that was patting my shoulder and squeezed it tightly. There was an audible cracking sound as bones collided.
Crack.
Lee Hyung-Moon's face twisted in pain. "Ahhh!"
I didn't care and let out all the anger I had been holding in.
"You've got to be fucking kidding me!"
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