Peninsula: The Great Producer

"Who?"

It was obvious that Kim Young-tae hadn't expected Ki Yo-gu to call him.

She sat up straight and listened carefully to the voice coming from the other end of the phone. It was the same old line: "Qi Yaojiu, have you forgotten me so quickly?"

It was only then that Kim Young-tae realized he should check the caller ID.

He saved Qi Yaojiu's contact as a caller ID showing someone who was determined to dig up some juicy gossip.

Clearing his throat, Kim Young-tae calmly put the phone back to his ear and said slowly, "Oh, it's PD Ki. What's up?"

Ki Yo-gu didn't chat with Kim Young-tae on the phone. He arranged to meet him at MAX Productions in Chungmuro ​​before ending the call.

Kim Young-tae complained, "What? Who does he think he is? Does he think I'll just go whenever he tells me to?"

But his body betrayed him; he turned and ran back to his office, grabbed his bag and car keys, and rushed out.

Inside the D Company office.

The other colleagues just watched with amusement.

The reporter who had just provoked Kim Young-tae in the smoking area said, "Is Reporter Kim going to settle scores with the people from X Entertainment News Agency?"

As soon as the words were spoken, everyone knew what had happened.

Kim Young-tae's long-prepared reporting materials for T-ara were never used before someone else beat him to it.

One of the staff members glanced at the gloating reporter and couldn't help but wonder if this guy had deliberately leaked the information to a small entertainment news agency in order to get the editor-in-chief position.

In the workplace, people are capable of doing anything for their own selfish interests.

Kim Young-tae, who was rushing off from D Company, had a smooth journey and arrived at the building rented by MAX Production Company in Chungmuro ​​in about twenty minutes.

garage.

Kim Young-tae saw the Mercedes-Benz G500 parked next to him and knew he had come to the right place.

I glanced at the time; only 20 minutes had passed. If I showed up now, it would seem like I was in too much of a hurry, and I wouldn't have the upper hand no matter what I anticipated when we met.

So, Kim Young-tae, who was originally going upstairs, went back to his car and sat there for a full half hour, enduring the half hour in anxiety before finally carrying his bag and walking into the elevator.

5th floor.

As Kim Young-tae stepped out of the elevator, he glanced around and spotted MAX Production Company at the far right end of the corridor.

Trying to appear relaxed and calm, Kim Young-tae entered the MAX Production Company office. The receptionist stood up to greet him, and after identifying himself, the receptionist immediately led Kim Young-tae to the representative's office.

First, you have to walk through a large office, which has dozens of computer workstations that are much larger than Kim Young-tae had imagined.

No media outlets have ever revealed anything about the internal workings of MAX Production Company, which made Kim Young-tae, a professional, keep his hand on his backpack, wanting to take out his camera to take a few photos.

I also saw some familiar faces in the office, such as writer Zhao Enhui, who was in charge of "Heroes and Heroes", writer Li Enying, who was in charge of "Invincible Youth", and other faces that I had seen in other variety shows and TV drama news reports.

These dozens of people are the core team from MAX Production Company, excluding the filming team, lighting team, and other collaborating teams.

There are four separate offices in total.

Three of the offices had nameplates, one of which read "Editor-in-Chief/Writer." Kim Young-tae guessed that the office owner was Kim Eun-sook, a screenwriter who had been with MAX Productions for over a year.

One of the offices is labeled "Production PD". The owner of this office is, unsurprisingly, one of the original employees who left K Broadcasting Station with Ki Yo-gu to found MAX Production Company. Rumor has it that the rookie PD back then was the only daughter of Choi In-young, the director of the Entertainment Center of S Broadcasting Station.

Judging from the collaboration between MAX Productions and S Broadcasting Station last year, this is probably the case.

The office door across the street had a sign that read "Representative Director," and without a doubt, the owner of that office was Qi Yaojiu, whom he was about to meet.

The receptionist gently knocked on the door three times.

"Click"

The door opened directly.

Kim Young-tae was a little taken aback; he had been tidying his clothes.

Fortunately, it wasn't Qi Yaojiu who opened the door, but another man.

The man also saw Kim Young-tae and stood at the office door saying, "PDnim, I'll go prepare now."

Qi Yaojiu's voice reached Jin Yongtai's ears: "Okay."

The receptionist made way for him, and the man greeted Kim Young-tae as he passed by, saying, "Hello."

Kim Young-tae instinctively responded with "Hello".

After watching the man walk away, Kim Young-tae came to his senses. The man who had greeted him earlier seemed to be Kim Ji-hwan, a core employee of MAX Production Company.

“PDnim, reporter Kim Young-tae-nim is here.”

Qi Yaojiu's voice was completely calm as he said, "Please let him in."

The secretary gestured, and Kim Young-tae, who had already straightened his clothes, lifted the backpack on his right shoulder and stepped into Ki Yo-gu's office.

"Click"

The door is closed.

Kim Young-tae glanced back.

I don't know why, but a feeling of unease, as if I were locked in this room, welled up inside me.

When he turned his head again, Qi Yaojiu had already walked out of the desk opposite him and pointed to the sofa on the right, saying, "It is my honor to be able to invite the famous reporter Kim Young-tae from Dispatch to come here."

Kim Young-tae gave a fake laugh. Honored? He heard Ki Yo-gu mocking him.

Although the famous reporter from Dispatch didn't say anything on the phone, Kim Young-tae guessed that Ki Yo-gu must have seen the news report about T-ara from X Entertainment News Agency before contacting him.

Take your seat.

Sure enough, Ki Yoo-gu said, "I thought T-ara's news would be reported by a reporter."

Kim Young-tae replied dismissively, "Our D-Media never reports this kind of speculative news."

Qi Yaojiu suddenly clapped his hands, praising, "I knew D-Media was a principled news agency, and its reporters are all true journalists with professional ethics, principles, and a bottom line." More praise? Has this guy taken the wrong medicine?

Qi Yaojiu looked at Kim Young-tae, who was frowning, and said with a smile, "Reporter Kim, you don't need to be so upset about X Entertainment's report on T-ara. Anyone with eyes can see that the content of this report is not true. I believe that Reporter Kim has been following this for so long and must have a lot of real news material in hand, right?"

Kim Young-tae didn't deny it, shrugged and said, "Producer Ki should be very busy. He has to prepare for a new TVN drama, plan a new variety show in collaboration with JTBC, and produce a movie. How could he have time to chat with me?"

Qi Yaojiu shrugged and said, "Alright, playing games is boring. Let's switch."

"exchange?"

"I suggested this before: we can exchange some information. I guarantee that reporter Kim Young-tae will have an absolutely exclusive report. Doesn't reporter Kim Young-tae want it?"

“If it’s about your relationship with IU, I can consider it.”

Qi Yaojiu waved his hand and said, "I'm not in a relationship."

Kim Young-tae replied, "It's just that I lack evidence."

Qi Yaojiu countered, "So, what did Reporter Jin photograph?"

Kim Young-tae shook his head and said, "Don't try to trick me into telling you anything."

Ki Yoo-gu steered the conversation back to the main topic: "Regarding the new drama we're collaborating on with tvN, I'll give you, Reporter Kim, the exclusive news report. In exchange, how about you publish a new report after you've compiled the materials on T-ara?"

Kim Young-tae said with an air of superiority, "Why? There's nothing about the new drama in collaboration with TVN that's worth exclusive coverage, is there?"

Ki Yo-gu said calmly, "The actual situation of T-ara is not what is being reported today. Reporter Kim knows, and I believe other reporters know as well. If Reporter Kim is willing to exchange, I can discuss it with other reporters."

Kim Young-tae kept looking at Ki Yo-gu.

This guy is so calm; I feel like he's telling the truth.

If he refuses, Qi Yaojiu will immediately discuss it with other reporters.

The problem is that TVN's new drama doesn't really have much exclusive reporting value. Although many people are paying attention to the drama, it's still just a new drama and can't compare to the various scandals of the artists.

Refuse or agree?

Qi Yaojiu didn't give Jin Yongtai much time to think before saying, "If Reporter Jin feels it's not worth it, I won't force him. I can't let Reporter Jin make a wasted trip today. MAX Production Company has never made any public announcements before. Before you leave, Reporter Jin can take some photos and publish a news article exposing MAX Production Company as my compensation."

Kim Young-tae did not speak.

He thought to himself, "That damn Qi Yaojiu is playing me for fools. Although revealing the secrets of MAX Production Company isn't exactly explosive news, there will definitely be a lot of onlookers paying attention and discussing it after the report. If the editor-in-chief knows that he has connections with MAX Production Company, he might make me go back to follow up on the story."

Qi Yaojiu slowly stood up from the sofa, turned around and said, "Just as Reporter Jin said, I still have a lot of things to do, so I won't see Reporter Jin out."

Kim Young-tae finally couldn't hold back any longer and said, "Producer Ki, you have no patience at all."

Qi Yaojiu stood still, looking at Jin Yongtai.

Kim Young-tae smiled and said, "I didn't say we wouldn't exchange. I was just thinking about how to report the exclusive news about the new drama."

Qi Yaojiu sat back on the sofa and said, "I have a suggestion. Let's start by revealing the secrets of MAX Production Company, then publish an exclusive interview with me, and then report on the casting of the new drama, the content of the new variety show, and the content of the movie."

"What I mean is that from the moment we start exchanging information, all exclusive news about MAX Productions' future works will be yours, Reporter Kim."

"Of course, reporter Kim should know that I have never given any exclusive interviews."

Kim Young-tae's smile was completely different from when he first entered the office; it was absolutely genuine and not a fake smile.

Nodding at Qi Yaojiu, he said, "Producer Qi is deliberately keeping me in suspense. If you had said this earlier, I would have agreed to the exchange long ago. Don't worry, I have plenty of news material about T-ara. It's just that I haven't reported on it because there's no solid evidence. So you don't need to pay any attention to this report from X Entertainment News."

"I will compile reports that are true and accurate. T-ara did not exclude or bully the new members. On the contrary, the new members have always been taken care of. With the interview with Ki PD, I believe that after these two reports, the public will see the situation clearly."

Qi Yaojiu was very satisfied.

Dealing with smart people is easy.

If Kim Young-tae hadn't stubbornly asked, "But, are PD Ki and IU really not dating? If they are, you have to give me this exclusive news."

Seeing that Ki Yo-gu's expression changed, Kim Young-tae quickly changed the subject: "Since PD Ki is helping T-ara so much, there might be some busybodies on the internet discussing whether PD Ki has a special relationship with Park Ji-yeon of T-ara. This is not just me making things up, it's just a prediction, just a prediction."

Qi Yaojiu didn't reply.

He had anticipated those scenarios before calling Kim Young-tae.

But Ki Yo-gu stood up not only for Park Ji-yeon, but also because he didn't want to see T-ara lose their bright future again because of untrue events.

the other side.

MBK Entertainment.

All members of T-ara were present except for Hwayoung.

After the news report came out, many media outlets and news agencies called the company to confirm whether the news was true.

A group of reporters quickly gathered at the company entrance.

At this time, the T-ara members could only stay in the practice room, which was the company's "protection".

Ham Eun-jung muttered in confusion, "No, how could there be such a news report?"

Jeon Boram lowered her head and said, "We have never ostracized her or bullied her."

Park Hyomin chimed in, "I knew this would happen. Do you remember when Ki Yo-gu oppa warned us?"

Lee Juri chimed in, "That's right, Qi PDnim reminded us back then, but it's been over a year, who could have imagined it?"

Park So-yeon looked at Park Ji-yeon, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping herself.

The report described Park Jiyeon as 80-year-old Yoo Hwayoung, which is pure nonsense. Every member knows that Park Jiyeon is the one who takes the best care of Yoo Hwayoung.

Park So-yeon wanted to suggest contacting Ki Yo-gu, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.

For a moment, a gloomy atmosphere enveloped the practice room.

Unbeknownst to the members, Ki Yoo-gu had already stepped forward. This was far more direct and practical than Kim Kwang-soo's fantasy in the representative's office on the second floor, where he was still fantasizing that using the rumors of discord to promote T-ara's new album would bring them a huge amount of attention and profit. (End of Chapter)