Rookie Talent Agent Knows It All-Chapter 796: Schemer (3)

"I'll tell you how to save Jinseong Inc.'s money pit—the Yeongjongdo resort."

The massive Jinseong Resort on Yeongjongdo in Incheon, completed early last year, was a colossal project fueled by huge budgets from all of Jinseong Inc.'s subsidiaries.

Yet despite its top-tier facilities, it was bleeding money due to a lack of tourists. Its enormous event halls remained practically empty because no one wanted to host anything that far out in Incheon.

Acting President Jin Ah-Ram had been doing everything she could to revive the resort, but nothing had worked so far. And now I was claiming to have the solution.

Jin Dae-Woon, who had been furious about his company's loss of face, began to show genuine curiosity.

"If you really can stop the bleeding at that place, Jinseong Inc.'s stock would definitely get a boost. Jinseong Construction, Jinseong Foods, Jinseong Hotel, and Jinseong International all poured resources into it. Alright then, let's hear it. What's the plan?" Jin Dae-Woon asked.

"We turn Jinseong Resort into a K-POP sanctuary."

"A K-POP sanctuary?"

"Yes. First, we host the second elimination round of Project I.O.A. at the Yeongjongdo resort, two weeks from now."

Project I.O.A. was a hit not only in Korea, but also across China and Japan. If fans could watch the performances live and witness the elimination process in person, they would have no choice but to book rooms at the resort's hotel.

"Well, if you offer the first pick of tickets to hotel guests, people will book just to see the show. That would liven up the resort. But do you really think one concert is enough to turn the whole place around?"

"Not right away, of course. But if several episodes of Project I.O.A. are filmed at the resort, it'll get more airtime, and that exposure will finally let domestic and international viewers know the place even exists. Honestly, most people don't even know Jinseong Resort is in Yeongjongdo, do they?"

"Hmm... fair point. The biggest problem is nobody even knows about the resort. Go on."

"Once we've promoted the resort through Project I.O.A., we announce global fan meetings for Cherry Blossom, Seo Yeon-Woo, and Kang Ha-Na to be held at the resort. And of course, concerts as well. At the same time, we arrange premium tour buses from the hotel to Seoul so guests can enjoy a luxury sightseeing trip."

Everything I was saying had actually been carried out by Jin Ah-Ram in my previous life, after recognizing how popular K-POP was becoming across Asia. She had successfully brought in foreign tourists by aggressively securing K-POP-related events.

Young fans came with their parents to enjoy the concerts. And those parents, while they were there, went sightseeing in Seoul. By the time they returned home, they would become fans of both Korea and K-POP. After that, Jin Ah-Ram quickly launched a website accessible across multiple Asian countries. The result led to Yeongjongdo Resort becoming known as the K-POP sanctuary.

After hearing everything I had to say, Jin Dae-Woon turned to Chief Secretary Seok Han-Joong. "Does what Chief Jung just said sound realistic to you?"

Seok Han-Joong nodded. "Yes, sir. The audition program Project I.O.A., which is airing now, hit 7.9% viewership ratings by episode two. Its app already has over a million users. Just holding the event there would bring life back into the resort. And if Hoop Entertainment's other celebrities hold events and concerts too... I believe a full revival is possible. And yes, the company's stock would definitely rise."

"Hmm... is that so?"

Just then, Jin Myung-Hee, former head of Jinseong Hotel & Resort and the designer of the Yeongjongdo resort, shouted from the couch where she sat with her legs crossed. "You think that massive resort can be saved with a few idol events? If I return as president, I'll revive it with foreign luxury fashion shows!"

"Luxury fashion shows?"

"Yes! I've already secured verbal commitments from executives of foreign brands. We'll hold big events once a month. And to fill in the gaps, I'll bring in up-and-coming Korean designers. So just leave it to me!"

Even though she had driven the resort into the red in the first place, Jin Myung-Hee shamelessly pushed her own plan. And to top it off, she insulted me directly.

"And you're not seriously planning to take business advice from some talent agent, right? What would a talent agent know about actual management?"

Jin Dae-Woon looked between the two of us, then immediately addressed Seok Han-Joong. "Bring in Ah-Ram. I want to hear what she has to say."

Seok Han-Joon answered, "She's outside with President Jin Sung-Joon. Should I bring her in alone?"

"No, bring them both."

"Understood, sir." Seok Han-Joong nodded and pressed the intercom. "Please escort Acting President Jin Ah-Ram and Mr. Jin Sung-Joon inside."

-Yes, sir.

With a soft click, the office door opened. Jin Sung-Joon and Jin Ah-Ram rushed in, eyes immediately darting toward me.

"Are you alright?"

They must have been worried after hearing I had been summoned.

I smiled and nodded. "Yes, I'm fine."

Relieved, they both turned to Jin Dae-Woon and greeted him. "We're here, Mr. Chairman."

Jin Dae-Woon gave them a nod. "Chief Jung says he has a plan to revive the Yeongjongdo resort. I want you to hear him out. Especially you, Ah-Ram. Since you're in charge of Jinseong Hotel & Resort, I'm curious about your thoughts."

"Yes, sir."

I immediately explained the plan to Jin Ah-Ram about how we would fill the empty event halls with Project I.O.A. and gradually transform the resort into a K-POP sanctuary.

Jin Ah-Ram could barely contain her excitement. "Mr. Chairman! We absolutely have to do this."

"Oh? Why is that?"

"Just like Mr. Jung said, right now, no one even knows our resort is in Yeongjongdo no matter how much we spend on promotion right now. It's like pouring water into a bottomless jar. But if we film Project I.O.A. there, the exposure alone will act as natural advertising. We could save at least ten billion won in promo costs alone!"

"Hmm, I see..."

"If Mr. Jung were the type to take bribes, I would've tried to grease some palms myself and pushed for all Project I.O.A. performances to happen there."

"Hmm... Then let me ask you one more thing. Myung-Hee here says she plans to host luxury fashion shows in that venue. What's your take on that?"

Ignoring the sharp glare from Jin Myung-Hee, Jin Ah-Ram answered flatly. "It'll fail." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

"What did you say?!" Jin Myung-Hee screeched.

Jin Ah-Ram nonchalantly replied, "The resort has over a thousand rooms. How many people do you think would come just to see a luxury fashion show?"

"Hey, Jin Ah-Ram. Hotels are all about image! If we taint that image with cheap idol events, will you take responsibility for that?"

Frustrated by the outdated logic, Jin Ah-Ram pushed back hard. "What era are we living in that you're calling idols 'cheap'? Aren't luxury brands all trying to work with idols now? And what's an image worth when the rooms are empty? How can a resort run when no one's staying there?"

That's when Jin Myung-Gyu snapped. "Hey! Watch your mouth. Who do you think you're talking to, yelling at your older sister like that?"

At that moment, Jin Dae-Woon cut in. "This is a business meeting, not a family pecking-order match."

"But Mr. Chairman!"

"Didn't I tell you to be quiet?"

Only then did Jin Myung-Gyu reluctantly shut his mouth.

Jin Dae-Woon let out a long sigh and turned to Jin Ah-Ram. "Acting President Jin. Can you really pull this off?"

Eyes blazing with determination, Jin Ah-Ram answered, "Yes. As long as I'm working with Mr. Jung, we can make it happen."

"Good. If you succeed in reviving the Yeongjongdo resort, I'll remove the 'acting' from your title."

Jin Dae-Woon declared that if she pulled it off, Jin Ah-Ram would officially be made president of Jinseong Hotel & Resort.

"R-Really?" Jin Ah-Ram stammered in surprise.

"Have I ever lied when money's on the line?"

"No, sir!"

Jin Myung-Hee cried out desperately. "Mr. Chairman! The hotel division is mine!"

At that moment, Jin Dae-Woon bellowed, his voice echoing through the room. "And what makes it yours? Until I'm dead, everything in Jinseong belongs to me. Who I give it to is my decision!"

Jin Myung-Hee trembled in place. Then she turned sharply toward me as if all of this were somehow my fault.

I calmly ignored Jin Myung-Hee's glare and looked back at Jin Dae-Woon. "Are you satisfied now, Mr. Chairman?"

Jin Dae-Woon had been furious about the tabloid article claiming Jinseong Inc. was using TNT Entertainment to devour Hoop Entertainment. Yet instead of confronting him, I had offered a solution to raise Jinseong Inc.'s stock value. I did it to avoid playing into the schemer's trap, someone who clearly wanted to pit both sides against each other.

Now calm after a deep breath, Jin Dae-Woon nodded. "Yes. I'm satisfied. With an idea like that, I'll say you've done enough to save my reputation."

Seeing that Jin Dae-Woon seemed receptive, I decided to go one step further and explain how we could erase the tabloid article too.

"And I'll also make sure to restore your reputation, which was damaged by TNT Entertainment."

"Oh? And how do you plan to do that?"

"When Hoop Entertainment goes public, I suggest Jinseong Inc. make a direct investment in our IPO even if it's a small amount. Then, if you announce an MOU[1] with Hoop Entertainment, the tabloids won't be able to claim Jinseong tried to swallow us through TNT. Instead, they'll report that Jinseong is pursuing a win-win partnership."

Just then, the schemer Sung Hak-Soo quickly jumped in to object. "Mr. Chairman, there's no guarantee that things will play out the way Chief Jung says! It would be safer to—"

However, Jin Dae-Woon ignored Sung Hak-Soo and turned to Seok Han-Joong. "Chief Seok, prepare the MOU. And on April 1st, the day of the IPO, buy shares of Hoop Entertainment. After, make a full-scale announcement that Jinseong Inc. is entering a business partnership with them."

"Understood, sir. We'll use this opportunity to wipe out every rumor that says we were trying to take over Hoop."

Jin Dae-Woon, who had been hell-bent on crushing us, was now doing a complete 180.

"And Chief Jung. How about announcing the MOU on March 31st, the day before the IPO?"

An MOU with Jinseong Inc. announced one day before our IPO would be a massive positive signal for the market. This was clearly Jin Dae-Woon's peace offering.

I nodded. "I'll confirm with our president and get back to you right away."

"Alright."

"Then may I take my leave?"

Right then, Jin Myung-Gyu and Jin Myung-Hee burst out together.

"Mr. Chairman! At the very least, you should make them drop the lawsuit against TNT Entertainment!"

"That's right! If Chief Jung just walks out now, we'll be left with nothing. No face, and we'll still be stuck with a lawsuit!"

Jin Dae-Woon turned to me. "Chief Jung. Does Hoop Entertainment have any intention of dropping the lawsuit against TNT?"

I looked him dead in the eye and answered. "TNT Entertainment tried to sabotage our IPO. Under those circumstances, Mr. Chairman, would you forgive them?"

"...No. I wouldn't."

"Then we can't either."

"Well then, it can't be helped." Jin Dae-Woon turned to his children. "I'll send lawyers to TNT. Start bankruptcy proceedings."

"Father!"

Jin Dae-Woon ignored them and addressed Sung Hak-Soo. "You've done enough, Chairman Sung. But it's time to step back. This is no longer your concern."

Even the infamous schemer of the business world had no comeback left. Sung Hak-Soo said nothing.

Then Jin Dae-Woon turned to me. "And Chief Jung."

"Yes, sir."

"As a personal token of appreciation for today, I'll be gifting you some shares of Jinseong Hotel & Resort."

"You're... giving me shares?"

"That's right. Nothing in this world comes for free. I was rude earlier, and you've helped restore both Jinseong's dignity and removed a long-standing headache. It's the least I can do."

Jinseong Hotel & Resort had recently acquired Sejin Resort, which was caught in a multi-hundred-billion-won accounting scandal, sending its stock price into the gutter. The offer of shares clearly came with strings attached.

"I suppose refusing isn't an option?"

Jin Dae-Woon chuckled.

"Giving you a foot in our door is the only way I'll feel secure."

He was clearly trying to tie me to them, but I was confident I wouldn't get swept up in anything. In the end, I accepted the offer.

"Understood, sir."

"Hahaha. Good. I'll have someone check how many shares we can spare and get back to you. Just make sure you revive that Yeongjongdo resort. Got it?"

"You don't need to worry. Ms. Jin Ah-Ram will take my ideas and turn them into something far greater."

Jin Dae-Woon gave a satisfied smile at my response. And at that exact moment, I got a notification.

[Everyday V13]

[Date: March 31, 2021]

-2:00 p.m. <Schedule Entry Deleted>

(Deleted Schedule Entry: [NEW. Jung Yoo-Jin]

Attending the Hoop–TNT Entertainment merger announcement event.)

-2:00 p.m. <Schedule Entry Deleted>

(Deleted Schedule Entry: [NEW. Haru]

Attending the Hoop–TNT Entertainment merger announcement event.)

...

The merger-related schedule entries had finally disappeared.

At the same moment, I looked straight at the man behind this entire scheme—Sung Hak-Soo. Once known as the schemer of Korea's corporate world, Sung Hak-Soo now trembled in place, visibly shaken, defeated by someone he saw as nothing more than a salaried worker.

'Well, Mr. Sung... how does it feel to be beaten by a mere employee?'

Sung Hak-Soo, a former chairman of Korea's 17th largest conglomerate, was a corporate strategist feared by many. Yet he had lost this round, completely powerless against me. And with that, I was finally able to return the bitter humiliation he had dealt me before the regression.

Just then, a stray thought crept into my mind.

'Wait a minute... how much stock is he actually planning to give me?'

***

After Jung Yoon-Ho left along with Sung Hak-Soo and the Jinseong Inc. heirs, Jin Dae-Woon began issuing further instructions to Seok Han-Joong.

"Prepare to transfer 1% of Jinseong Hotel & Resort shares to Jung Yoon-Ho."

Seok Han-Joong's eyes went wide. "Mr. Chairman! Just 1% is worth about 10 billion won at market price."

"I know. But that's what it'll take to preserve my dignity."

Jung Yoon-Ho had presented a solution to their long-standing headache, the Yeongjongdo resort. On top of that, he had also restored the honor of Jinseong Inc. So he felt this much was deserved. After all, he was the chairman of Jinseong Inc.

"Understood. I'll prepare the 1% transfer as instructed," Seok Han-Joong answered.

"Good. But delay the transfer until the resort starts turning a profit."

"Naturally. But Mr. Chairman... What should we do about Sung Hak-Soo? He's the one who provoked your children and led to today's events."

"I know. But... leave him be. The man's already half broken after the humiliation he suffered from Chief Jung. He must be hurting pretty badly."

"Understood, sir."

Just then, he got a phone call.

Buzz~

[Caller ID: Chairman Choi Eun-Tae]

"Don't tell me... this old man's calling because we touched his company? Hah. Some things just never change."

Jin Dae-Woon knew well that Hoop Entertainment belonged to Choi Eun-Tae. That was why he had only intended to give them a scare. He couldn't afford to go to war with someone like Choi Eun-Tae.

After hesitating, Jin Dae-Woon eventually answered the call.

"Hyung-nim. It's been a while since we last spoke."

-Yeah. Been over a decade since you stopped coming around after deciding you didn't need my money anymore, huh?

In the early days of building Jinseong Inc., Jin Dae-Woon had received significant help from Choi Eun-Tae. Yet in recent years, they had drifted apart.

"Haha. Well, I'm a chaebol chairman now too, right? I don't need loan shark money anymore."

-Still clinging to your damn pride, huh? Even a dog wouldn't want it. Anyway, I called to tell you just one thing.

"What is it?"

-Don't touch Chief Jung.

'Not "don't touch Hoop Entertainment," but "don't touch Jung Yoon-Ho"?'

In all his years of knowing Choi Eun-Tae, Jin Dae-Woon had never once seen him prioritize a person over money.

'I've seriously underestimated this Jung Yoon-Ho guy.'

And right then, Jin Dae-Woon made up his mind to give more than 1% if necessary just to keep Jung Yoon-Ho close. After all, he was valued by Korea's most liquid asset holder.

"Why would I ever touch Chief Jung? He's been more helpful to my children than anyone, and I'm even planning to gift him stock."

-Stock? How much?

Jin Dae-Woon smiled quietly as he began to answer.

1. MOU is a non-binding agreement outlining intentions for a potential collaboration or deal (like a future merger or partnership before final contracts) ☜