Chapter 171: Again
Eve Media’s office.
“CEO, we’ve received another call from the CG company.”
Eve Media’s main producer, Min Ji-ho, spoke with a troubled expression.
Yoon Ha-jin sighed deeply, unable to hide her fatigue.
“What is it this time?”
“Technofilm urgently requested some work, and because of that, they said they couldn’t do our job and apologized.”
“…That makes the fourth time, right?”
“Yes.”
Yoon Ha-jin sighed deeply once more.
Ever since visiting Dojin Frontier, the troubles had been continuous.
At first, she thought it was just simple competition, but as time passed, it became clear that it was malicious interference.
“If we don’t give up this project, they seem determined to keep causing the same trouble.”
“This promotional video is a big deal. They don’t like sharing it with us.”
The difference between Technofilm and Eve Media in the advertising industry was stark.
Their influence, capital, and infrastructure were not even comparable.
So, for a unheard-of new production company to share the same stage might have been an annoyance to Technofilm.
“At this rate, meeting the deadline is practically impossible. No matter how much we work overnight, without the CG, we can’t complete the video itself.”
Yoon Ha-jin clenched her fists and fell into thought.
After working as a broadcaster and establishing Eve Media, she had faced numerous challenges.
But this situation was different.
It seemed like the other party was blatantly trying to bring down the entire company.
In fact, Technofilm had already made several acquisition offers to Eve Media.
To monopolize this project.
“CEO, can’t we just ask Dojin for help? They could solve a problem like this easily…”
“No!”
Yoon Ha-jin’s voice echoed firmly.
Min Ji-ho stopped speaking, looking surprised.
“Why not? If we keep going like this, we might end up with nothing.”
At Min Ji-ho’s words, Yoon Ha-jin paused for a moment before speaking quietly.
“Just giving us this opportunity is help enough. If we can’t get through this situation, it means we’re not qualified.”
“Actually… I really didn’t expect us to be selected for this project.”
“Same here.”
Yoon Ha-jin nodded calmly.
They had submitted a proposal for this project.
But they never dreamed that a small company like theirs would be chosen by a giant like Dojin.
Their performance, foundation, and recognition were all lacking.
“So, what do you plan to do now?”
“What else can I do? I’ll talk to Technofilm first.”
It didn’t seem like the meeting would be friendly.
But in this situation, it was all Yoon Ha-jin could do.
Technofilm’s entrance.
Yoon Ha-jin took a deep breath in front of the building, then quietly opened the door and stepped inside.
As she walked past the lobby,
Team Leader Jo Pil-jae and two staff members were waiting for her.
“Haha, it must have been hard for you to come. Please sit down, CEO.”
Jo Pil-jae’s tone was polite, but his eyes saw her as prey.
“You requested an urgent meeting. What’s the matter?”
She wanted to snap at his shameless face, but Yoon Ha-jin held back her emotions and got to the point.
“As you know, during the process of this Dojin project, all the CG companies we commissioned have canceled their contracts.”
“Oh, really? These days, CG companies are so busy that things like this happen often.”
Jo Pil-jae responded nonchalantly, lifting the corners of his mouth.
“We’ve heard that Technofilm pressured the CG companies.”
“Pressure? That’s a bit of an overstatement. Of course, we have influence in the industry, but we don’t operate like that.”
The staff members sitting beside him chuckled and added,
“Why would we bother with Eve Media in such a petty way?”
“Maybe if it were Players…”
Players was a top production company in the industry, second only to Technofilm.
Despite the mocking tone, Yoon Ha-jin remained firm.
“If we pull out, Technofilm can monopolize this project, so I understand…”
“Excuse me, CEO Yoon.”
Jo Pil-jae interrupted, leaning back in his chair with a relaxed posture.
“There seems to be a misunderstanding. We merely expressed concern about whether cooperation with Eve Media would be smooth. The Dojin Frontier project is so large and important.”
Jo Pil-jae glanced at Yoon Ha-jin and continued.
“And, as we were saying, your company lacks experience and infrastructure.”
“Lack… What do you mean?”
Yoon Ha-jin bit her lip, forcing down her emotions.
“We are a recognized company in the market.”
“Oh, of course. I’ve heard you do well with independent films and small-scale brand videos. But this project is on a different level from those small ads.”
Jo Pil-jae continued in a tone of advice.
“Anyway, as long as you can submit the video on time, there won’t be any issues. But if the schedule becomes difficult… collaborating with us might be a good option.”
This was their goal.
Using collaboration as an excuse to take the project from them.
Feeling the conversation was pointless, Yoon Ha-jin slowly stood up.
“I hope it goes well, CEO Yoon.”
Jo Pil-jae’s final words sounded like mockery in her ears.
…
…
Eve Media’s office.
Yoon Ha-jin stayed late into the night at the office.
On the desk, unedited video clips and countless notes were tangled together.
On the wall monitor, only a frozen timeline was displayed.
Soon after, Producer Min Ji-ho entered the office with a worried expression.
“CEO, we’ve failed to secure any CG companies. We tried to do it in-house, but…”
Yoon Ha-jin nodded quietly, her eyes fixed on the screen.
“To achieve the level of CG we want, our current infrastructure isn’t enough.”
Her voice was tired, her eyes bitter.
The deadline for submitting the sample video to Dojin Frontier was tomorrow.
But so far, only a preview-level clip had been completed.
And without the CG, the video quality was significantly compromised.
“CEO… It’s impossible to submit it like this.”
Yoon Ha-jin bit her lip, trying to remain calm.
“…We have no choice. We’ll tell Dojin the truth. It seems we can’t proceed further.”
The words were hard to say.
Inside, she felt a bitter sense of defeat.
She wanted to hold on until the end, despite Technofilm’s relentless interference.
She wanted to prove herself with a proper result.
But reality was cold and harsh.
The next afternoon, at Dojin Frontier.
Technofilm’s Team Leader Jo Pil-jae, Eve Media’s CEO Yoon Ha-jin, and myself, along with Park Cheol-jin and Seong-hwan, were gathered in the meeting room.
Jo Pil-jae’s expression was still filled with confidence.
In contrast, Ha-jin… no, CEO Yoon Ha-jin looked tired and somber.
“Eve Media hasn’t submitted the video yet. Is there a reason?”
At Park Cheol-jin’s question, CEO Yoon Ha-jin slowly raised her head.
“I’m sorry. We haven’t completed the sample video yet.”
“You haven’t made the video?”
“…No.”
“Why not?”
Before CEO Yoon Ha-jin could answer, Jo Pil-jae interrupted.
“What reason could there be? Lack of capability, I suppose.”
A smirk crossed Jo Pil-jae’s face.
CEO Yoon Ha-jin remained silent, bowing her head quietly.
Something welled up inside me.
‘This… son of a bitch.’
I barely held back the urge to slap Jo Pil-jae.
Ten days ago.
After the first meeting with Technofilm and Eve Media,
I quietly began investigating Eve Media.
‘Before the regression, after quitting as a broadcaster, I never started a company.’
I first met Ha-jin during the interview for Ahsung’s first smartphone, ‘Galux.’
Then, unexpectedly having Woomin, I naturally stopped working…
‘This time, since I didn’t marry her, is she living a different life?’
I missed her a lot.
Thinking of Woomin and Jaemin, I wanted to reveal everything right away.
But I couldn’t.
Even if I met Ha-jin again, the children we would have wouldn’t be Woomin and Jaemin.
More than anything, I didn’t want to leave her alone again, using revenge as an excuse.
[No… If you’re in pain, you should have said so. Why didn’t you say anything until your body got this bad?]
[I didn’t want to burden you… with my company troubles.]
[What…].
Even now, thinking of Ha-jin’s end tore at my heart.
So, when I saw the moon-shaped logo among the 27 production companies Seong-hwan handed me,
I instinctively thought of Ha-jin.
And in the process, I learned that Technofilm had pressured the CG companies.
That’s why I attended the sample video review meeting in person.
“Then… let’s review Technofilm’s video first.”
At my gesture, Seong-hwan played the prepared video file.
The video was typical of Technofilm: flashy CG, fast pacing, and realistic combat scenes.
When the video ended, Jo Pil-jae spoke confidently.
“What do you think, CEO? We put a lot of effort into this video.”
His voice was relaxed.
But I met his gaze without changing my expression.
“The video is too flashy.”
“…Pardon?”
The smile vanished from Jo Pil-jae’s face.
“Too flashy?”
“It’s so extravagant that it fails to properly showcase the identity of the AGE-01.”
Park Cheol-jin and Seong-hwan also looked puzzled.
Jo Pil-jae hurriedly tried to explain.
“We intentionally emphasized the flashiness to highlight the technology and performance.”
I shook my head and continued.
“The video focuses too much on the CG effects, blurring the core message. It doesn’t show what makes the AGE-01 different from other weapons.”
Jo Pil-jae tried to rebut again, but I didn’t give him a chance.
“And the scene transitions are too fast. It could distract the viewer.”
“But CEO, the trend these days…”
“Regardless of trends, what I want is a clear message and technical distinctiveness.”
At my firm stance, Jo Pil-jae fell silent.
The meeting room fell quiet.
I slowly continued.
“Anyway, Technofilm’s video fell far short of my expectations. We need to re-examine the concept and make a complete revision.”
“A complete… revision?”
Jo Pil-jae swallowed hard.
He thought today’s submission would secure the contract.
His earlier assurance to the former CEO flashed through his mind.
“Originally, I planned to end the sample submissions today. But since both companies seem unprepared, I’ll extend the deadline by one more week.”
As I spoke, I glanced at Ha-jin.
“…If the next submission still fails to meet expectations, I’ll reconsider the contract with both parties.”