Chapter 86
After that day, the contract with writer Hong Yeon-hee moved forward without any problems.
While Hong Yeon-hee began working seriously on the script, Executive Director Kim Eun-kyung and I handled the important procedures and negotiations with MBS regarding the drama's broadcast schedule.
“Two hundred million won per episode. Anything more than that is difficult for us too.”
“We’re currently making a list of actors, but nothing has been confirmed yet. If we cast an A-list actor, their appearance fee alone could cost hundreds of millions.”
“That’s something ‘Big Picture’ should handle by bringing in outside investment, isn’t it?”
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk spoke with a deep frown.
Executive Director Kim Eun-kyung responded firmly, showing that we had no intention of backing down either.
“Then how about 250 million won per episode if we cast an A-list actor? You know very well that a single A-list actor can take around 50 million won per episode.”
For movies, the production budget was usually secured through outside investors or through the production company's own money.
After the movie was released, the profits were divided with the investors.
Of course, if the movie completely failed at the box office, the production company also had to bear the risk.
Dramas were different.
A drama production company was essentially a subcontractor that received money from the broadcasting station to produce the drama.
Because of that, even if the drama failed because of low ratings, the production company usually didn't have to bear the entire financial risk.
However, broadcasting stations rarely paid one hundred percent of the production cost.
The remaining budget usually had to be covered through PPL advertisements, overseas distribution rights, OST sales, and outside investments.
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk couldn't deny Kim Eun-kyung's statement that an A-list actor could take 50 million won per episode.
He let out a short sigh before speaking again.
“Fine. If you cast an A-list actor, 230 million won per episode. That's the absolute limit. Looking at the proposal, there aren't many places where you'll need to spend that much money anyway. Ahem.”
I thought for a moment.
I had already expected that we probably wouldn't be able to get a budget much higher than this.
In that case, I had to find another way to gain something from the negotiation.
“Then give us the overseas distribution rights and the brand sponsorship rights.”
At my unexpected words, not only Director Hwang Dong-hyuk but even Executive Director Kim Eun-kyung, who was on my side, froze in surprise.
“What? I can understand the overseas rights, but ‘Big Picture’ is going to get PPL deals on its own, isn't it? And now you want the brand sponsorship rights too? What do you think the broadcasting station is, some charity?”
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk raised his voice in disbelief.
I answered calmly.
“Exactly. Even a broadcasting station is complaining about how hard it is to make money. Then imagine how difficult things are for a small outsourcing production company like us.”
At my unexpected response, Hwang Dong-hyuk groaned.
“Ugh...”
Then he secretly exchanged glances with the person from the drama department's financial team sitting beside him.
Finally, he spoke.
“Fine. Two hundred thirty million per episode, and you can take the overseas distribution rights. That's it. Nothing more.”
Got him!
In truth, I already knew there was almost no chance the broadcasting station would give us the brand sponsorship rights.
But if I had asked only for the overseas distribution rights, they probably would've made all kinds of excuses to reject that too.
That was why I asked for both the overseas rights and the brand sponsorship rights at the same time.
I calculated that it would be difficult for them to reject both requests completely.
So they would probably give up the overseas distribution rights more easily.
And just as I expected, it worked.
“Sounds good. Then we'll finish the agreement at 230 million won per episode, with the overseas distribution rights belonging to us.”
With that, the contract terms regarding the drama production deal with MBS were settled one by one.
The meeting, which had been filled with tension from beginning to end, finally came to an end.
While Executive Director Kim Eun-kyung waited for me at the main entrance, I headed toward the underground parking lot to get the car.
I took the elevator down and was walking toward my car when I suddenly heard people talking near the emergency exit connected to the parking lot.
“Hey, Choi Kyung-min, are you some kind of pushover? Don't go! Don't do it!”
“Enough. Stop it. If the higher-ups tell me to do it, what choice do I have?”
“How can you say that like it's someone else's problem? This is your problem. Yours! That bastard isn't even worthy of being called your senior. He worked you like a dog for four years. When he left the station for an outside production company, I thought you'd finally be free from him. But what?! Now you're supposed to work under that bastard as assistant director again?! Won Se-chang, that son of a bitch!”
At first, I thought it was just another employee complaining about his boss.
I was going to ignore it and walk past.
But when I heard that familiar name at the end, my feet stopped without me realizing it.
Wait... what are they talking about?
Is that Won Se-chang they're talking about... the same Won Se-chang I know?
The angry man continued.
“Now that we're talking about it, ‘The Man Holding Flowers’ and even the drama before that were basically directed by you!”
What the hell...?
What does he mean Choi Kyung-min practically directed ‘The Man Holding Flowers’?
I walked closer to the emergency exit and pressed myself against the wall beside the door, quietly listening.
“Keep your voice down. Someone might hear you.”
“Tch. Let them hear. Is there anyone from our group who doesn't already know? Won Se-chang is supposed to be the director, but he's always making excuses about editing and barely even shows up on set. He makes you handle all the shooting...”
“What can I do? He's my senior. If he tells me to do something, am I supposed to refuse?”
“That's exactly why he treats you like a pushover. Even after leaving the broadcasting station, he's still clinging to you like a ghost.”
Unlike his friend, who was furious throughout the conversation, the man who seemed to be Choi Kyung-min sounded calm.
If anything, he seemed amused by how angry his friend was, occasionally laughing good-naturedly.
“What else can I do? It's the director-general's order.”
“Who cares if he's the director-general? If you hate it, fight back! And stop smiling like an idiot!”
“Fine, fine. This time, I'll try fighting back. So stop chain-smoking and let's go upstairs. You're going to destroy your lungs at this rate.”
“You crazy bastard. Who do you think is making me chain-smoke in the first place?”
Their conversation ended there.
Only after hearing their footsteps disappearing up the emergency stairs did I finally leave the parking lot.
Ha... I knew something felt wrong.
I kept thinking about what I'd just heard while driving along Gangbyeonbuk-ro.
That drama was way too good to have been directed by someone like Won Se-chang...
