Chapter 168:: Head of Department

“We pulled out of Dongson Foods?”

“Yes. I’m sorry.”

“But why? The contract was all done.”

The head of department spun his chair around and asked the producer.

His tone was gentle, but his face was twisted in displeasure. The producer explained with difficulty.

“There were issues with historical accuracy. Everyone, including the production team, was strongly opposed. We judged that it would likely cause problems when it aired, so we decided to withdraw. I’m sorry.”

“What? What historical accuracy in a drama? Then don’t put on makeup either. A drama has to be enjoyable to watch. How can you make a work while being so concerned about historical accuracy? Huh?”

“I’m sorry. But it seems like it would be too much this time.”

They would have to pay a penalty for breach of contract.

It was fortunate that the viewership ratings were good, but they wouldn’t know until the last episode…… If it fell short of expectations, they’d have to submit a written apology.

“What is it? I don’t think it was the staff.”

It was clear that he was dissatisfied, but the producer had also given the okay and pushed it through. But they suddenly changed it on set? There was no way the all-powerful producer would make such a decision because of a few staff complaints.

“I heard the writer was also in agreement.”

“I’m sorry. We’ll make up for it with other PPL.”

“The actors? They said they couldn’t do it because of historical accuracy?”

At that moment, the head of department’s nameplate sparkled in the sunlight.

It went very well with the meaning of the name Wang Gwanggu.

The producer pondered for a moment before answering with the same words.

“I’m sorry. But the viewership ratings are good, so I don’t think there will be any problem covering the production costs.”

“Right. Cha Eun-seong? He’s the only one who would throw a fit.”

“…….”

He just wanted to get out of there.

The decision had already been made, so this was a report, and nothing would change. It meant that no matter who raised the issue, it no longer mattered.

“If he hadn’t become a celebrity, I wonder what he would have done with that temper. The guy’s got nothing in his head, and he’s talking about historical accuracy? It’s kind of funny. Hahaha.”

He laughed heartily, then suddenly stopped.

And as if he had missed something, he snapped his fingers.

“What about Ha Muyoung?”

“Huh? Why him?”

“Cha Eun-seong isn’t the type to care about historical accuracy. Isn’t he the smarter one? He went to Seoyeon University, right?”

“I think he’s still attending.”

“Anyway. Ahh. It’s become a headache.”

A headache? What?

The producer looked at him with a questioning gaze.

What could be the problem? They had already sent their intention to withdraw to Dongson and were looking for another PPL company. It was a bit more work, but it wasn’t something that needed to go up to the head of department.

“Okay, I understand. You can go.”

“Yes.”

The producer bowed and left the office.

The head of department tapped his desk. Pondering something, he made a call.

“Ah. Yes. It’s me, Wang Gwanggu. Yes. I’m sorry about this. I didn’t expect it to fall through like this. I talked to the producer, but there seemed to be some issues on set. It’s their authority…… Yes. Don’t do that, I’ll give you a weekend miniseries instead. I’ll have the producer in charge contact you again. Yes. Oh, of course! I’ve received help from you.”

Wang Gwanggu continued the conversation with a hearty laugh. Yet, strangely, the faces of Cha Eun-seong and Ha Muyoung kept flashing through his mind.

Wasn’t it cute yet infuriating?

Actors meddling in the company’s business.

Wang Gwanggu glared sharply outside.

“Wow. I’m full.”

“Stop eating. Just pretend to eat like me?”

There were many companies to replace Dongson Foods.

Starting with dried persimmons, fruits, meat, rice cakes, and desserts.

There was an abundance of traditional food, so there was no problem with the production costs.

Rather, the footage was more varied and natural, making it comfortable to watch, and it showed a positive cycle of leading to higher viewership ratings.

Muyoung patted his full stomach and muttered.

“But it’s so delicious I can’t stop.”

Of course, he could just pretend, but if possible, he wanted to actually eat and properly promote the PPL. Cha Eun-seong kept chewing and spitting it out.

“Muyoung. Lips.”

“Yes.”

Muyoung wiped his lips with a tissue and entrusted his face to the coordinator. As she carefully checked his makeup, she suddenly remembered something.

“Oh, by the way, did you see that?”

“What?”

“The drama Shoot for Love.”

“Isn’t that Company J’s weekend miniseries?”

“Right. Dongson Foods PPL was in there?”

A scene was aired of a couple making and eating mala tang at home with a meal kit. Muyoung raised his eyebrows as if he was hearing it for the first time.

“Really?”

Cha Eun-seong also looked curious.

They were curious about the outcome of the PPL they had worried about and rejected, which had gone to another place.

“What was the reaction?”

“They were a bit puzzled, but it’s possible, so.”

The numerous Chinese characters on the mala tang packaging would have been unfamiliar to viewers. But in terms of the content of the work, there was no problem.

They said they made it at home with a meal kit.

“I see.”

Muyoung nodded and replied nonchalantly.

Then, he felt the set becoming a bit chaotic.

“What’s going on?”

“Well…….”

Cha Eun-seong flipped through the script as if uninterested.

Then.

Knock knock.

“I’ll come in for a moment.”

The door opened with the producer’s awkward voice.

A strange man followed behind. Muyoung’s eyes widened, and his body stiffened. Oh. That person…….

“Cha Eun-seong, Ha Muyoung. This is the head of our network’s drama department.”

“It’s been a while, Cha Eun-seong.”

“Oh. Hello.”

The two exchanged light greetings, as if they knew each other.

Cha Eun-seong, looking bothered, slowly propped his elbow on his hand, but clearly showed his manners. Wang Gwanggu looked at Muyoung.

“It’s our first time meeting, Ha Muyoung.”

“Hello. I’m Ha Muyoung.”

“Nice to meet you. I hope I’m not disturbing our stars while they’re resting.”

Cha Eun-seong replied nonchalantly to Wang Gwanggu’s words.

“What brings you here suddenly?”

He wasn’t going to say no.

Wang Gwanggu sat on the sofa and laughed.

“I came to encourage the set and meet our actors.”

“Oh. I see. But there’s nothing I can give you.”

“I’ll bring it.”

The producer, thinking this was his chance, quickly left the waiting room.

The coordinator also sensed something was off, closed her makeup box, and left. Only three people remained in the waiting room.

Thud!

“Is there anything uncomfortable while working?”

“Yes. Well. I’d appreciate it if you could strictly adhere to break times? That’s it?”

It meant that it was uncomfortable that he came while they were resting.

Wang Gwanggu pretended not to understand and just laughed.

“That’s basic. I’ll tell the producer. What about you, Ha Muyoung? How is it?”

“I have the same opinion as him.”

It was a very clever answer.

Using Cha Eun-seong as a shield while clearly expressing his opinion.

Cha Eun-seong took a drink from the small fridge and placed it in front of him. Contrary to saying there was nothing to drink, the inside was packed.

“But what’s this really about?”

“Hmm. It’s really good that you two feel a sense of responsibility for the work and are working hard, but as a company person, there’s something I need to address.”

At that point, the two caught on.

Ah. It’s about Dongson Foods.

Muyoung glanced at Cha Eun-seong. His expression didn’t change much. He just sipped his drink and fixed his gaze on the head of department.

“What is it?”

“PPL is within the company’s management authority, so I’d appreciate it if the actors would trust and follow. You saw it this time, right? Dongson PPL in Shoot for Love. It was a Chinese product, but no one said anything, right?”

“That’s that, and this is this. Isn’t the situation completely different?”

Muyoung nodded repeatedly at Cha Eun-seong’s question.

Since it didn’t seem like his place to speak, he simply left it to Cha Eun-seong.

“I get what you’re saying. Is this because the Dongson PPL fell through recently?”

“It means you don’t have to worry about what the company has to handle. Let’s not step on each other’s toes. If you keep coming in, it’ll be uncomfortable, and I won’t be able to work properly.”

Wang Gwanggu’s words were sharp.

It meant that if they kept acting like that, they wouldn’t be able to film dramas at Company J.

Muyoung was inwardly impressed by the stronger-than-expected response.

‘Wow. He’s really pushing it.’

Did he think that would work on Muyoung?

He was someone who believed that as long as he could act, even the street was fine. Cha Eun-seong leaned back on the sofa and snorted.

“You’re really pissing me off right now.”

“Don’t misunderstand. Let’s just get along.”

“Do you have something going on with Dongson? Is it a relative’s company? No, there are so many places offering PPL, why do you keep pushing theirs? What is it? I’m really curious, so tell me.”

As he spoke, he seemed to get more annoyed.

Are there no other broadcasters in Korea besides J? K, S, M, T, O…….

Just the ones that came to mind were five.

Even if he worked non-stop, rotating once a year, it would take five years. What was he talking about? And to the lead actor with the highest viewership ratings.

“If you want to fire me, go ahead.”

“Oh my. Eun-seong, you’re still the same. Why do you always misinterpret?”

There was no guarantee that the head of department would still be with the company by the time he finished rotating through other broadcasters. Really, it was ridiculous.

“I’ll make it clear right now. I have no intention of infringing on the producer’s authority, and I have absolutely no intention of tarnishing my image. Don’t kill the work with your own hands. And don’t stick your hands into a well-running wheel and get cut off.”

Then he stood up and grabbed the script.

“I’m going to shoot now, so I’ll be going first.”

Followed by a slam, bang!

Wang Gwanggu stared at his back with a slightly stiff expression. Muyoung sat there, smiling.

“It must be hard for Ha Muyoung. Working with a senior like that.”

“No. Surprisingly, we get along well.”

“Even if it’s Ha Muyoung, try to soothe Cha Eun-seong a bit. An actor just needs to act well, what’s the point of thinking about other things? Right? He’s barely even shed his rookie status.”

Wang Gwanggu frowned deeply.

But Muyoung’s answer was set.

“Ah. I have the same opinion as him.”

“…….”

Wang Gwanggu glared at Muyoung as if he was absurd.

Then, the door slammed open again. Cha Eun-seong called Muyoung with an annoyed voice.

“Hey. Aren’t you coming? Aren’t you getting ready? Don’t space out.”

“Let’s go. Let’s go. I’m going~”

It was as if he was asking why he wasn’t following. Muyoung also grabbed the script and bowed to Wang Gwanggu. Then he turned around and stopped.

“Oh, about Shoot for Love.”

Even so, since it was a family airing alongside Blade’s Path, he felt he should say something.

“If possible, I think you should stop there.”

“What?”

“You probably know…… If you don’t, I don’t know either.”

The smog surrounding the mooncake wasn’t referring to the food itself, but Dongson Foods as a whole.

Muyoung sneezed as the smog surrounding Wang Gwanggu made him feel itchy, like dust.

Thud!

When Muyoung left the waiting room, Cha Eun-seong stood there with a stiff expression.

“You’re so clueless. When I come out, you should’ve said, ‘Oh, hyung!’ and pretended to stop me. What were you doing chatting with him?”

“Hyung, you really don’t like him.”

“I’ve never liked him. He’s annoying. He’s just a piece of trash.”

“Harsh criticism isn’t good.”

“Shut up. Be on high alert starting today.”

“Why?”

Cha Eun-seong walked while reading the script.

His teeth grinding could be felt from the side.

“Looking at how he’s acting, it’s clear what he’ll do if the viewership ratings drop. You have to show him who you are.”

Mumbling…….

He was already half-crazy about acting, but with the provocation, he seemed even more fired up.

He was determined to show acting that couldn’t be seen anywhere else. Cha Eun-seong’s eyes rolled back as he muttered.

“Be ready. Double, no, triple your usual. I’ll make the viewership ratings pierce through the broadcast station’s ceiling.”

“Yes.”

Don’t worry.

If anything, they should be worried about the head of department and Shoot for Love. They were covered in the smog that Blade’s Path released.