The moment the staff of CK Entertainment's Headbutt Boy all declared they would follow us, I turned to Managing Director Lee Eun-Joo and spoke.

"Ms. Lee, why don't we take this chance to recruit some of the staff we're lacking?"

Just a few days earlier, at the set of She Was Beautiful, the directors who had teamed up with CK Entertainment had taken all the staff with them. I couldn't afford to miss such a perfect chance to pay them back.

Lee Eun-Joo curled her lips into a grin. "You're right. It's a good opportunity to repay that debt."

"Ah, should you report it to Mr. Shin first?" 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Lee Eun-Joo casually brushed back her short hair with one hand. "This much is well within my authority."

"Oh~ You look a bit cool today."

"Just today?"

"Cool as always"

At that moment, Director Jin Sung-Ryul suddenly began pointing and shouting at the staff. "What the hell are you all doing right now! Damn it! I fed you and gave you a place to sleep, and now you're stabbing me in the back?"

After losing his professorship position, if rumors spread that the staff had deserted him as a group, his career as a director would be finished. On top of that, if the film production collapsed, he could end up facing massive lawsuits. Maybe that was why he stood in front of the staff, blocking their path and hurling threats along with curses.

Just then, the eldest among them, Lighting Director Jung Joo-Sung, flared up and charged forward. "If we're talking about stabbing someone in the back, weren't you the one who did it first? You don't even pay us properly. For lunch you give us one roll of gimbap. Damn it. What is this place, a prisoner-of-war camp?"

Once Jung Joo-Sung spoke up, the other staff members also widened their eyes and rushed forward. "That's right! If you're going to boss people around, at least pay us properly!"

It looked like something straight out of the French Revolution. At that moment, I could almost hear the chorus from Les Misérables playing in my head.

'Do You Hear the People Sing~'

Jin Sung-Ryul stammered in panic as he stepped backward. "Y-you bastards, how dare you talk to a director like that..."

It was extremely rare for staff to confront a director on set. Since the industry was small, once a bad rumor spread, it became difficult to join another production team. Nevertheless, Jin Sung-Ryul had treated them so terribly that the staff were now openly rebelling.

'Still, even if the production had been poorly prepared, giving them just one roll of gimbap for lunch? At the very least, you should provide cup ramen, two rolls of gimbap, banana milk, and a corndog!'

At that moment, Choi Ong-Lip cautiously asked Lee Eun-Joo, "Ms. Lee, how many people can we take?"

Lee Eun-Joo shouted loudly enough for everyone to hear, "All of them!"

The moment she said that, cheers erupted across the Headbutt Boy set.

"CK? Screw that! LT is the best!"

"Ong-Lip, thank you! No—Director Choi, thank you!"

"That's right, he's Director Choi now. Mr. Choi, please take care of us from now on!"

As the staff all cheered at once, Jin Sung-Ryul and Assistant Director Lee Han-Jong finally fled the scene. "Y-you'll regret this later!"

Watching the scene, Lee Eun-Joo chuckled and said to me, "We got our revenge sooner than expected, didn't we?"

"Revenge? This is barely the first step."

"This isn't the end?"

Of course, the scale had grown much bigger than the original plan, which had only been to pull out Choi Ong-Lip.

However, this still wasn't the end of my plan.

***

Across from LT Entertainment's headquarters in Samseong-dong, there was a famous giant samgyeopsal restaurant called Pig's Dancing Day that occupied an entire five-story building by itself. A charter bus stopped out front. It was the bus that had departed from the Headbutt Boy filming set. As soon as the front door opened, Choi Ong-Lip and the staff all got off at once.

"Wow, a company dinner on our very first day at LT."

"Sniff! Samgyeopsal... Do you know how long it's been since I had this?"

Lee Eun-Joo and I had arrived a minute earlier, and we guided the staff inside.

"We rented out the entire fifth floor, so everyone take the elevator up," I said.

"Yes, sir."

The staff formed a line and headed toward the building's elevator.

Choi Ong-Lip remained behind and thanked us again. "I don't know how to repay this kind of treatment. And more than anything... Thank you so much for even taking care of my mother's hospital bills."

In addition to providing a generous directing fee, LT Entertainment had immediately admitted Choi Ong-Lip's mother to a top-tier hospital so she could receive treatment.

Lee Eun-Joo smiled brightly. "Just put your heart into the project. That's all we need."

"Yes, of course! I'll film it with everything I've got." Choi Ong-Lip bowed deeply, then looked at me and spoke with the utmost sincerity. "Mr. Jung. I will never forget the favor of scouting me."

"Not at all. It's simply the result of the effort you've put in all this time."

Choi Ong-Lip shook his head. "No. No matter how hard someone works, what's the point if no one recognizes it? Today, you came to find me and my life changed."

I couldn't exactly say that I had merely moved forward the future where he would become a director, so I gave the same answer Lee Eun-Joo had.

"Just please take good care of the project."

"Yes, sir!" After answering energetically again, Choi Ong-Lip turned toward the elevator but suddenly stopped. Then he abruptly asked me, "So does that mean I'm part of the Jung Yoon-Ho Team now?"

Unlike earlier, this time I could answer with certainty.

I nodded. "If you think of it that way, the honor would be mine."

"In that case, I'll go around telling everyone from today that I'm part of the Jung Yoon-Ho Team."

Choi Ong-Lip smiled brightly and headed toward the elevator. Unintentionally, another director had joined the Jung Yoon-Ho Team.

Afterward, Lee Eun-Joo and I headed to a small café set up on one side of the first floor.

"Over here!"

Shin Jong-Ki was sitting with Chief Secretary Ahn In-Hyuk, waiting for us.

"Yes, Mr. Shin."

After greeting him and sitting down, Shin Jong-Ki burst out laughing. "I'm afraid to ask Chief Jung to do anything. You said you were going to bring back one person, but you ended up bringing an entire team."

"I'm sorry. It just ended up happening that way."

"Hahaha. I'm joking. I'm praising you for doing well." After laughing heartily for a moment, Shin Jong-Ki asked me, "But what's this method you mentioned about landing a big blow on CK Entertainment?"

On the ride over, I had told Lee Eun-Joo that there was a way to hit CK Entertainment hard. After hearing the idea, Lee Eun-Joo said we would need Shin Jong-Ki's approval and had called him here.

"As far as I know, there are still quite a few film sets in the industry that haven't adopted standard labor contracts," I said.

Shin Jong-Ki nodded. "That's true. But our LT already follows them at most of our sites."

"Yes. That's exactly why I'm suggesting this. Take this opportunity to invite reporters and declare that all productions will strictly apply the Standard Labor Contract."

"Hm? Is that really necessary?"

"Yes. If we do that, CK Entertainment will have no choice but to follow because of public image. And when they do, it will drive their production costs up dramatically and cause them major losses."

At LT Entertainment, about ninety percent of the production companies they invested in were already applying the Standard Labor Contract. Currently, CK Entertainment was applying the standard labor contract at roughly seventy percent of its productions.

Even though the gap was only about twenty percent, simply complying with the standard labor contract meant CK Entertainment would have to spend tens of billions of won more on production costs.

And on top of that, I proposed one more thing. "And when you announce compliance with the Standard Labor Contract, declare that time spent on 'work outside of filming hours' will also be recognized as working hours."

Before filming even began, each team spent a great deal of time on preparatory work. Yet, that time was not reflected as "working hours." Because of that, it was common for staff to actually work one hundred hours but only have fewer than fifty hours officially recognized. I said that time should also be included as working hours.

As Shin Jong-Ki fell silent in thought, I tried to persuade him once more. "Before long, politicians will order improvements in working conditions for film staff. Since it will happen eventually, the side that moves first will have the advantage."

"Hmm. If we do that, not only will it hit CK Entertainment, but our own production costs will rise as well. We'd be putting a huge burden on ourselves too. How exactly would that deal a blow only to CK Entertainment? We'd take losses too."

"You have me, don't you? I'll tell you five projects this year that have strong box office potential in advance."

If someone like me, who knew the future, helped them, LT Entertainment could avoid projects that would fail. And by distributing mainly successful projects, they could actually increase their profits.

On the other hand, CK Entertainment would end up in the exact opposite situation. The moment LT Entertainment secured the successful projects first, it meant the other side would be far more likely to distribute the failing ones.

On top of that, once the production costs of each project increased, the losses CK Entertainment suffered would inevitably grow exponentially.

Shin Jong-Ki finally grasped the full scope of my plan, and his mouth fell open. "Chief Jung... you're someone who's going to make very big things happen. Are you planning to completely change the landscape of the film industry?"

"If it's possible."

Shin Jong-Ki stared at me for a moment before finally nodding. "Okay! If you're really going to help that much, there's no reason we can't do it."

Shin Jong-Ki immediately gave an order to Ahn In-Hyuk. "Chief Ahn, review every contract again and make sure overtime, special shifts, and even preparation time for work can all be applied."

At that moment, Ahn In-Hyuk replied with a worried expression. "Sir, if we start settling payments for amounts that were never even accounted for before, our production costs could rise by twenty percent. No, possibly even thirty percent."

"If we focus on the projects Chief Jung says will succeed, our net profit will increase far more anyway."

"But..."

At that moment, Shin Jong-Ki looked kindly at Ahn In-Hyuk. "I know what you're worried about, Chief Ahn. You're concerned about what will happen if we rely on Chief Jung's list and get betrayed—or if it fails."

Ahn In-Hyuk hesitated before answering, "I'm sorry to say it, but yes. He's not a god, so how could every project he recommends possibly succeed?"

Shin Jong-Ki chuckled. "Has Chief Jung ever failed so far?"

"...No, sir."

"See? He hasn't. That's why we're doing this. And we can't just sit around either. We shouldn't rely solely on Chief Jung. We'll also build an independent script analysis team to double-check everything."

Only then did Ahn In-Hyuk let out a relieved sigh. "So that was your plan?"

"That's right. So relax."

"Understood. In that case, I'll proceed with the measures as instructed."

"Good. And Chief Ahn, keep doing exactly what you've been doing—carefully pointing things out and offering advice. That's your job."

"Yes, sir!"

Then Shin Jong-Ki turned to Lee Eun-Joo and said, "And Managing Director Lee, prepare to promote those points through PR."

Lee Eun-Joo nodded. "I'll gently needle CK Entertainment by implying they can't do what we can."

"Ah, and we should also mention that we ranked number one among distribution companies last month. Not in screen count, but we were number one in revenue, at least."

"Of course."

Shin Jong-Ki stood up from his seat with a satisfied expression. "Well then, shall we go eat dinner? After all, even Mount Geumgang should be seen after a meal."

All of us waited together in front of the elevator going up to the fifth floor.

Then Shin Jong-Ki asked me, "By the way, Chief Jung. How far do you intend to go?"

"Pardon?"

"I'm talking about your attack on President Son of CK Entertainment."

I answered calmly, "Until the king changes."

At that moment, the expressions of Shin Jong-Ki, Lee Eun-Joo, and Ahn In-Hyuk all froze at the same time.

After all, until the king changes meant until President Son Hyung-Tae was driven out of CK Entertainment and a different president took his place.

***

Inside the president's office at CK Entertainment, the moment Son Hyung-Tae saw the article reporting that all the staff had fled from the set of Headbutt Boy, a film he had pre-invested three billion won in, he immediately called Jin Sung-Ryul.

"Just how little did you pay those guys that not a single one of them stayed and they all ran off?"

Jin Sung-Ryul immediately began making excuses.

-B-But I was trying to make the film properly. Then Jung Yoon-Ho showed up and incited them—

"Cut the bullshit! If you spent even a single won of the production budget anywhere else, you'd better start preparing for prison!"

-S-Sir! Please spare me! If it weren't for Jung Yoon-Ho—

"I said stop saying that name, you idiot bastard!"

Beep!

After canceling roles in films and dramas, including Headbutt Boy, he had expected Hoop Entertainment to immediately bring Jung Yoon-Ho to him on their knees to beg. Yet, instead of apologizing, they had launched a counterattack.

Losing several billion won hurt, but the deadlier problem was the article that had just appeared.

[Distribution Industry No.1 (as of March) LT Entertainment Declares Mandatory Standard Labor Contracts for Film Production Companies! Announces It Will Refuse to Distribute Works From Producers Who Fail to Comply.]

-LT Entertainment expressed deep regret over the news that staff had fled the CK Entertainment filming site earlier today.

As the number one company in the distribution industry, LT Entertainment announced it would strictly enforce the Standard Labor Contract.

It would confirm payment for actual working hours, including overtime, special shifts, and even preparation time before filming.

Furthermore, as the industry leader, it declared that even if production costs increased by more than thirty percent, it would take responsibility for creating a proper filmmaking environment and improving staff welfare.

...

Honorary Chairman Son Dae-In of the CK Inc. was someone who valued the title of number one above all else. If Son Hyung-Tae were to lose the industry's number one title that CK Entertainment had held for decades, there was no way his father would forgive him. Not only could he be removed from the president's seat, but he might even lose his eligibility in the succession race entirely.

His ambition of becoming the overall chairman of CK Entertainment was now at risk of being twisted apart.

Son Hyung-Tae shouted furiously, "They won first place with just one month's revenue and they're calling themselves number one? Those lunatics are talking nonsense!"

Fuming, Son Hyung-Tae turned and shouted at his close associate, Director Sung Hyuk-Joon. "Director Sung! Tell the reporters to revise the article right now and say we're still number one for the entire year! And pin the Headbutt Boy disaster entirely on Director Jin!"

"Understood, sir."

Sung Hyuk-Joon only nodded but didn't immediately call the reporters.

"What are you doing? Why aren't you calling them?"

"Well... what about the standard contract issue? If we strictly pay overtime and special shift wages like LT Entertainment, the production costs could double. Our net profit this year might drop to a quarter of what it was. If we're unlucky, our operating profit could even fall into the red."

"So you'd have people saying we're worse than LT Entertainment? What if that reaches my father's ears?"

Sung Hyuk-Joon bowed his head deeply. "I'm sorry, sir. My apologies."

"If you're sorry, then call the reporters already."

As Sung Hyuk-Joon picked up his phone, he asked one more question. "But considering what happened with Headbutt Boy, this might also be Jung Yoon-Ho's doing. Are you absolutely sure you want to go through with this?"

Son Hyung-Tae flared up. "As if that's possible! No matter how impressive he is, he's just a talent agent. There's no way he'd understand something as managerial as this! What, you don't want to make the call? If you don't want to, I'll do it myself."

"No, sir. I'll call the reporters right away." Sung Hyuk-Joon hurriedly grabbed his phone and began giving instructions to the PR team. "Yeah. Yeah. It's Mr. Son's order, so release the article quickly. Right. Immediately!"

As soon as Sung Hyuk-Joon hung up, Son Hyung-Tae continued ranting angrily while talking about plans to shake up Hoop Entertainment. About ten minutes passed like that. Then suddenly, Son Hyung-Tae's phone began vibrating.

Still irritated, Son Hyung-Tae glanced down at the screen. "Damn it! Who is it this time?"

At that moment, a shout far louder than before burst from his mouth. "What the hell is this—an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth? You son of a—!"

Son Hyung-Tae jumped to his feet and hurled the expensive orchid pot beside the sofa onto the floor.

Crash!

The orchid pot shattered into pieces, black soil scattering everywhere.

Across from him, Sung Hyuk-Joon stiffened in surprise at Son Hyung-Tae's sudden outburst. At the same time, curiosity got the better of him, and he quietly glanced at the phone lying on the table.

On the screen, there was a message from Chief Jung Yoon-Ho along with a brightly smiling emoji.

[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. I've returned exactly what I received. ^_^b]

Sung Hyuk-Joon had never imagined that someone would dare confront a member of a chaebol's royal family so fearlessly. And even though he had mentioned the financial angle earlier, he never expected Jung Yoon-Ho to actually set a trap to push CK Entertainment into financial trouble.

At that moment, Sung Hyuk-Joon inwardly exclaimed in awe.

'T-this crazy bastard.'

***

On the way home after the company dinner ended, the blatantly pro–CK Entertainment articles began flooding the news like crazy.

[CK Entertainment Expresses Strong Will to Resolve Wage Nonpayment Issue at Headbutt Boy Set. "Director J's Personal Misconduct!"]

[CK Entertainment: We Were the First in the Industry to Apply the Standard Labor Contract!]

[LT Is the No.1 Film Distributor? Nonsense From People Who Don't Understand the Industry...]

At the same time those articles appeared, messages began pouring into my phone.

[010-394x-xxxx: Jung Yoon-Ho! Hey! Answer your phone!]

[010-438x-xxxx: You're really not answering my calls to the end? You want to see this through to the end? Fine, let's do it.]

Seeing the furious messages from Son Hyung-Tae made a tune naturally slip out of my mouth.

"Schadenfreude~"

As I hummed in German, I soon arrived home in Cheonho-dong. It was 9 p.m., but the lights in the first-floor living room were brightly on, so the yard wasn't dark. I parked the car and turned off the engine.

Just then, the front door on the first floor burst open and Miso ran out in her pajamas. However, Miso was sniffling as she ran toward me.

"Uncle Yoon-Ho~"

'Huh? Why is she crying?'

Startled, I hurried over, knelt down, and pulled Miso tightly into my arms.

Grab.

"Miso, what's wrong? Are you crying because you miss your mom?"

Yoo-Jin was still in Gyeongju filming Hwaranjeon, and after that she had continued shooting She Was Beautiful, so she hadn't been able to come up to Seoul and had only been video calling. And even this week, she could only come up briefly over the weekend.

So I worried that maybe Miso was crying because she missed her mother, and I gently asked while handing her a handkerchief.

However, Miso, still in my arms, took the handkerchief and shook her head.

'So that wasn't it? Then what is it?'

That was when Miso finally told me why she was crying.

"Uncle Yoon-Ho... sniff... I heard you flew through the sky in a car. Sob... Are you okay?"

Thump. Thump.

My heart started pounding, and a cold sweat ran down my back.