20 Chapter 20
Seoul, Korea
NuStarr Talent Management
Chairman Hu sat behind his desk, reading over the revisions on the contract for Myo Mi-Sun’s most recent project that was on hold with the production studio.
The terms were ridiculous and hard to accept, and they were insulting to Myo Mi-Sun’s salary that was agreed upon when she landed the role.
“Well?” Associate Producer Si Seung asked, growing impatient.
Hu took his reading glasses off and set them down. “The contract would cut her salary in half.”
“Myo Mi-Sun is not what she used to be,” Si Seung reminded him. “And her reputation is one of headache and drama that seemingly follows her everywhere. The delays to the production alone fall under a breach of contract. Would you rather we bring the attorneys in to mitigate this?”
Chairman Hu chuckled. “You are young and ambitious, Si Seung. I was once like you,” he said. “However, unlike you, I actually read everything before it is signed. I read everything before those I represent are even asked to sign. And I make them read it before they do.”
The haughty, young Associate Producer glared at him.
This was supposed to be his shoe-in with his boss. Resolving this issue would put him in the good graces of the boss.
“The changes you are proposing would cut Myo Mi-Sun’s pay to the same as Un He-Ran,” Hu pointed out.
“Un He-Ran is an up and coming star in the K-Drama world,” Si Seung argued.
“She is an 18 year old that requires cue cards or her lines to be read to her by a production assistant off screen,” Hu retorted. “Not every beautiful girl in pictures can be an articulate one on screen. Myo Mi-Sun is a rarity in the industry. Not many make the transition from print to small screen to the big screen, and flourish for years as Myo Mi-Sun has. This revised contract you are demanding she sign is an insult to her, and it is insult to me.”
Si Seung huffed loudly, trying to find an argument that would work in his favor. “The delays alone have cost the Production House more than Myo Mi-Sun is contracted to make!” he argued. “She should have never been cast, the Producer was against it, but because you called in favors she landed the role. The scandal that would cause if it got out,” he warned.
Hu was neither concerned or threatened. He opened his desk drawer and pulled out an envelope then slid it across the desk to the man on the other side.
“What is this?” Si Seung scoffed, taking the envelope then ripped into it. “A bribe to keep your fading star as the headliner in On the Moon Swings Love?”
Hu smirked when the man’s eyes widened.
“What is this?” Si Seung tried to demand, but his voice cracked in mid-question.
“Proof that production never halted for On the Moon Swings Love,” Hu said. “The past five weeks that Myo Mi-Sun has been offset wasn’t wasted and no money was lost on production costs. Nearly all after production edits have been done. The soundtrack has been finalized and the composer will have the tracks wrapped by the end of the week. There are only a dozen scenes that Myo Mi-Sun needs to film, and those are scenes that will be budget eaters, hence why they were the last to be scheduled. Not to mention, Hwang Sang-Hee the male lead that Myo Mi-Sun needs to film with has been out of the country in a Swedish rehab facility because he relapsed.”
Si Seung struggled to swallow the lump that had formed in his throat.
In the envelope were pictures and documentation of Chairman Hu’s allegations of where the production was at. The delay was needed in order to secure funds for the last scenes which were supposed to be done in a remote location that wasn’t budget friendly.
Not to mention, Hwang Sang-Hee had stormed off set weeks ago without reason. His agent and management company stated it was his co-stars fault and that Hwang Sang-Hee wouldn’t return until her role was recast. Hwang Sang-Hee’s people knew that Chairman Hu would be able to spin it into something they could work with while their star was in rehab. Seon Rain knew the truth of what happened with Hwang Sang-Hee. She full-heartedly supported him getting help with his drinking so she took the blame in the eyes of the media as they knew she’d do.
“I don’t understand,” Si Seung said. “How did you get any of this?”
Hu leaned back in his chair. “I have been in this industry for over a decade. Nearly each of those names that are at the end of the credits are there because I got them there. I helped them when no one else would, I gave them a job, and because of that, I have eyes everywhere. What that ambitious, young director, and your tight wallet production company failed to mention to you was Myo Mi-Sun is the reason why production continued at all.
“The final scenes, that she knew from experience were budget eaters? Myo Mi-Sun requested to be at the end of the filming schedule in order to salvage the film if needed; that is in her contract. A fancy destination finally can be easily done locally with some creative lighting and cheap special effects. Not to mention, you can’t film the final scenes until you have the male lead back and sober.”
Si Seung got to his feet and bowed. He was unaware of all of that, and now it was evident that the young, Associate Producer was sent in without being briefed properly by his boss. “My apologies, Chairman Hu,” he said, bowing again.
Hu motioned for him to stop bowing in apology. “Sit. You are young and ambitious. That is a very hard thing to find anymore. Young people with their video games, social media, and auto-tune all think they can be a star without working for it. It makes our jobs so much harder, especially for an old man like me. You were sent by Ha Min Ki, weren’t you?”
Again, Si Seung bowed. “Yes.”
“Ah, yes. Now it all makes sense. Ha Min Ki has been jealous of NuStarr and its Chairman for years.”
“Why?” Si Seung asked.
“Because of my ability to get the most money for my clients from Producers and Production Houses,” Hu said as if it were obvious. “I was weary to allow Myo Mi-Sun to screen test for another of Ha Min Ki’s productions because of tactics like this.” He tapped the revised contract. “In order to save his bottom line, he tries to force the actors and crew to take a pay cut to compensate for his poor management and choices in directors.”
Si Seung hadn’t thought of that. He was told to go in and force Chairman Hu to sign a new contract and accept the renegotiated terms.
Now he realizes he was sent in like a lamb to slaughter.
“I apologize for my foolishness this evening, Chairman Hu,” Si Seung said, bowing again when he got to his feet.
Hu slid his business card across the desk to him then offered a small nod of the head. “If you ever find yourself in need of a job, call. I can always use young, aggressive and passionate talent managers, especially after the recent reallocation of management here.”
Si Seung took the business card and turned it over. “What is that?” he asked; there was a number on back.
Hu smirked. “Your salary,” he said.
Si Seung looked from it to Chairman Hu then smiled wide.
