Story of a Big Player from Gangnam

The internal auditor elaborated his idea on making the research expense 2.5 billion won.

“We can move some of our production workers to the research center such as the engineers handling the extruding machines. We can make a small office area inside the research center and give them a desk there. They work at the production site with machines as usual during work hours, but when they have to do some paperwork like writing a daily work log, they will have to do it at his desk inside the research center.”

“Hmm.”

“We can subdivide the research center into a development area, analysis area, etc.”

“Still, I don’t think we can fill up the required 2.5 billion won.”

“We can add more. The chemicals that we regularly purchase so we can mix them together to produce our materials, we can record them as the chemicals to be used for testing purposes at the research center. I think we can then make the research expense 2.5 billion won.”

Of course, the internal auditor was a crafty old man with extensive life and work experience. He knew how to manipulate the situation.

“Hmm, that might work. Why don’t you make that suggestion in writing and share it with other executive officers during our next meeting? We need each department’s cooperation.”

“Of course, sir. I will work on the proposal and bring it to our next meeting.”

It was Friday.

Gun-Ho went to GH Building in Sinsa Town to work that day. As soon as he sat at his desk in his office, he received a call. It was Director Woon-Hak Sim.

“Sir? It’s me, Director Sim.”

“Oh, hi, Mr. Director Sim.”

“I’ve read the synopsis that you’ve sent to me. I’d like to meet with you in person, and give you my opinion on it.”

“Sure. When you come, please bring your resident registration and your resume.”

“My resume, sir?”

“Yes, we will need it.”

“Okay, sir.”

Around 11 am that day, Director Sim came to Gun-Ho’s office.

“Here are my resume and resident registration.”

Gun-Ho just put the documents aside without even looking at them.

“So, what do you think about their synopsis? Do you like it?”

“The Chinese writer whoever wrote the synopsis did a very good job. It was actually better than I expected. The thought and consciousness of Chinese authors seem to have changed a lot for the past several years.”

“Hmm, really?”

“I’ve made some modifications on the several scenes in the synopsis though. I wanted to emphasize more on family ties. Also, I restructured the relations among the characters.”

“Hmm, I see.”

“Actually, I’ve received help from a Korean drama writer in making those changes on this synopsis. She is a very famous author, and she helped me with pleasure of feeling sorry for my situation. The main plot is based on a sweet and refreshing romance and heartwarming story that could heal the audience’s emotions who are already exhausted in life.”

“Hmm, really? I see a lot of red marks in this synopsis. You made more than a few changes.” Gun-Ho said while reviewing the modified synopsis that Director Sim brought to him.

“I think we can surely make the audience cry with this drama, especially the Chinese stay-home moms and the ladies at work.”

“Do you think this drama would succeed?”

“I’m pretty positive, sir.”

“Hmm… really?”

Gun-Ho showed the copy of the email that he received from Huanle Shiji’s president, to Director Sim.

While Director Sim was reading the email, Gun-Ho summarized their financial situation and pointed out his concerns.

“Huanle Shiji currently has 2 billion won of short-term debt, and 400 million won of unpaid wages.”

“Hmm…”

“If I put my funds in this drama production company now, they will first pay for the unpaid wages with the funds. Consequently, it will lower the amount that they can use in producing their drama. As a result, they will probably need additional funds later on to continue the production, and I will probably have to put more money. Do you think I would be able to recover my investment funds? Are you sure that their drama will succeed this time?”

Silence filled the air for a moment until Director Sim broke it.

“All I can tell you, sir, is whether this drama would succeed or not, and I believe that this one will succeed. They will probably use a part of your investment funds designated for producing the drama; I agree with you, sir. But, I’m not sure if you would have enough return on your investment funds if that happens. That’s not my area of expertise.”

“So, you are confident that this drama will succeed.”

“Yes, sir.”

“It is commonplace that drama producing requires additional funds as they proceed with it. Usually, it cost more than they initially planned, doesn’t it?”

“Well, you’re right, but for a modern drama like their next drama, usually the production cost stays about the same as they originally planned.”

“You probably know well the reason why the television director— Jong-Hak Kim— committed suicide. He was famous for his TV drama— Sandglass.”

“I do, sir. I knew him well personally. He was one of my favorite colleagues who were senior to me, especially because his name was similar to mine. His ‘Sandglass’ was a huge success, but he suffered from a big loss in producing the following fantasy series— Legend. I believe that the particular TV series took way more than the budget that he had planned in the beginning.”

“It actually cost him 30% more than he initially budgeted.”

“That sounds about right. When they planned the production of ‘Legend,’ they budgeted 31.5 billion won, but they ended up spending 40.6 billion won.”

“The accrued revenue from that TV series could cover only half of their total production cost.”

At the moment, Director Woon-Hak Sim closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.

Gun-Ho continued while crossing his legs, “I’m sorry that I talked about the dark side of the work. Since the competent production director like you— Mr. Director Sim— assured that this drama would be successful, this Chinese drama— Shiguang Ru Meng— intrigued me even more.”

“Thank you, sir. I want to cast a Korean actress for the main female character even though we might have to cast a Chinese actor for the male main character. If we use a less-known new actress, we can save the production cost.”

At the moment, the name— Seol-Bing popped up in Gun-Ho’s head as Director Sim mentioned his intention to cast a Korean actress, but he dispersed the thought.

“Let’s do this.”

“What are you suggesting, sir?”

“I will hire you— Mr. Director Sim— as the head of operations of the soap opera production department at GH Media, for now.”

“Huh? Are you going to give me a job?”

“But, I’m setting your monthly salary to 1 million won. If I pay you more, your salary after subtracting the amount of the basic living cost will be garnished by your creditors anyway. So, it’s not a good idea.”

“That… that’s true.”

“And, if I decide to make my investment in the drama production company in China, you will be working in China for me. I will pay you an additional amount for your monthly salary in China.”

Suddenly, Director Sim’s face became brightened in relief when he heard of sending him to China. Director Sim interpreted what Gun-Ho said about hiring him as Gun-Ho almost made up his mind in investing in China.

“Thank… Thank you, sir.”

“I asked you to bring your resident registration and your resume earlier because of the paperwork that is needed to hire you. We have to file Four Major Public Insurance for you as your employer.”

“Thank you, sir. Thank you so much.”