"I'm in Tokyo, and this is some kind of movie star comeback system?!"

NHK Extraordinary Meeting.

The moment the public outcry began, Katsufumi Nakamura received a meeting notice.

He quickly handed over the tasks to the film crew and rushed to the conference room.

At this time, many high-ranking NHK officials had already gathered in the conference room.

Besides producer Shiraishi, who had visited the set before, several heads of the production department, public relations department, and publicity department were also present.

Once everyone had arrived, the meeting officially began.

Producer Shiraishi sat in the main seat, his fingers lightly tapping the table, and got straight to the point:

"Tell me, how should we handle this?"

Public Relations Manager Matsumoto spoke first:

"My advice is to let it cool down. The scandal has nothing to do with the production team, and the show is going to air in early January. There's no need to get involved at this crucial time."

The propaganda department staff chimed in, "Yes, if we keep quiet, new gossip will overshadow it in a couple of days."

Upon hearing this, Shiraishi seemed to be deep in thought. He did not immediately express his opinion, but instead looked at Nakamura Katsuji.

"Nakamura-san, what's your suggestion?"

Katsushi Nakamura pondered for a moment.

The rumors that initially circulated among the crew flashed through my mind.

Could it be related to this?

Another point.

No sooner had Yu Sakamoto left the film crew than a scandal broke out.

The timing was far too suspicious, yet he couldn't find any evidence to prove that it wasn't an accident.

He didn't care about the rumors between Sawaguchi and Sakamoto; all he knew was that he was the one who arranged for Sawaguchi and Sakamoto to act together.

He also needs to review and approve the crew's schedule archives.

In truth, he was also involved in this matter.

"Regarding the rumors, I agree to handle them quietly," Nakamura said slowly.

Producer Ishihara remained silent, placing his hands clasped on the table and waiting quietly for him to continue.

"But we can't just let this matter of 'going through the back door' go unresolved."

Nakamura paused, his tone becoming more serious:

"The crew has witnessed Sakamoto's acting skills and talent."

Crucially, we have already credited his contribution to accent correction in the end credits.

If we don't clarify, the outside world will simply accept the "backdoor" claim.

Producer Shiraishi nodded slightly, clearly agreeing with this point.

However, Matsumoto from the public relations department scoffed, his tone aggressive:

"The moment you show your face, the media will bombard you with questions about the 'scandal.' Will you answer them or not?"

"After so many years of experience and countless crises in public opinion, let me tell you, you just can't let them speak."

Those gossip magazines rely on hype and attention-grabbing tactics.

By showing ourselves up, we're essentially placing ourselves on the same level as them.

Matsumoto tapped his fingers on the table, making a dull sound:

"We are NHK, not Bunshun."

A person in charge of the production department spoke up to refute:

"Chief Komatsu, fairness in casting is NHK's bottom line."

Director Nakamura is right. If we remain silent, the outside world will only assume we got in through connections, which will damage NHK's reputation.

Matsumoto's eyes darkened as he looked at the person in charge:

"Everyone should think about this carefully: even if you respond to someone who believes you, they still won't believe you."

Those who don't believe don't need your response at all.

Our audience is here to watch "One-Eyed Dragon Masamune," not to watch for entertainment.

Your involvement has actually drawn in people who weren't originally interested in this issue.

"Matsumoto-san, I cannot agree with your statement." Nakamura Katsuji put down his teacup, his tone firm.

"Sakamoto-kun's contributions are a fact."

If we don't step in, those who work quietly behind the scenes will be disheartened.

Upon hearing this, Matsumoto scoffed, his eyes revealing undisguised speechlessness:

"Heartbroken? Nakamura-san, you're too sentimental."

There are plenty of people in this circle who have been wronged.

Does NHK have to step in for each one?

Let's stop making dramas and just hold press conferences every day.

"Boo-hoo—"

Producer Shiraishi tapped the table, interrupting the standoff between the two.

"Matsumoto-san, I understand your concerns."

NHK really shouldn't have stooped to the level of a gossip magazine.

He paused, then turned to Nakamura:

"But Nakamura-san has a point; fairness in casting is our bottom line."

I think we can find a compromise.

"How can we find a compromise?" Matsumoto asked.

Shiraishi pondered for a moment: "I won't respond proactively, but... I can 'show' it."

"A demonstration?" Matsumoto frowned.

"During the previous visit by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, we recorded a behind-the-scenes clip of the creative process."

"The demonstration clip by Sakamoto-san worked very well," Shiraishi said. "We can edit it and insert it before the main drama."

"We don't talk about scandals; we just let the audience see how we work on set."

Matsumoto shook his head: "What's the difference between this and a response? The media will still keep asking."

"The difference is that we didn't say anything," Shiraishi said, looking at him. "We just 'showed what happened behind the scenes.'"

If anyone asks, we'll say, "This is material from an inspection by the Agency for Cultural Affairs; it has nothing to do with any scandals."

"Do they believe it?" Matsumoto asked rhetorically.

Producer Shiraishi looked at Matsumoto and used the words he had just said: "Those who don't believe won't believe anything you say, and those who do believe don't need any explanation."

"We need to at least make a statement: we are not Bunshun, we are NHK, and we focus on dramas, not gossip."

Before Matsumoto could say anything more, the door was suddenly pushed open.

A middle-aged man in his fifties walked in.

Everyone was taken aback, and then stood up to greet them.

"Production Overview!"

"Takahashi Tosuke!"

He is the head of production at NHK and the highest-ranking person in charge of the entire television drama department.

The production coordinator waved his hand, gesturing for everyone to sit down.

Producer Shiraishi quickly stood up, made way for the head of the table, and pulled out a chair that hadn't been used before for the chief to sit down.

"I listened outside the door for a while."

He looked at Matsumoto, his tone indifferent:

"Matsumoto-san, I understand your position. NHK really shouldn't stoop to the level of gossip magazines."

"However! 'One-Eyed Dragon Masamune' is NHK's most important project this year."

The phrase "using connections" should not be associated with this play.

He opened the document in his hand.

"In addition, I just received a call from the Cultural Affairs Bureau. They are very interested in the behind-the-scenes footage of the creative process and asked if we could do a special presentation on it before the official broadcast."

He raised his head and looked at the crowd.

"This isn't a question of 'whether to respond.' It's a question of 'how to turn a bad thing into a good thing.'"

The meeting room was silent for a few seconds.

Matsumoto opened his mouth, but ultimately said nothing.

Once the document is finalized, the decision is made immediately.

"First, edit behind-the-scenes footage of the creative process and insert it when the main series airs."

The focus is on the actors' professional qualities.

Second, contact TV Bros. and Weekly TV to conduct a behind-the-scenes interview under the name of "Behind the Scenes".

Third. He looked at Matsumoto, "The public relations department should cooperate with the publicity efforts and avoid creating any unnecessary complications."

We are not Bunshun, but we can't bury our heads in the sand either.

Matsumoto's expression changed, but he didn't dare to argue anymore and could only lower his head: "...I understand."

The production coordinator stood up and looked at Katsufumi Nakamura:

"Nakamura-san, handle this matter properly."

After saying that, he got up and walked out of the conference room.

Producer Shiraishi breathed a sigh of relief and looked at everyone:

"You heard everything? Go and do it."

After everyone left, Matsumoto returned to his office, closed the door, and only picked up the phone on his desk after confirming that there were no footsteps in the corridor.

"Moshi moshi." A voice that had long held a high position came from the other end of the microphone.

"Kitagawa-san, I tried my best, but even the production manager got involved, so there's nothing I can do."

The other party was silent for a moment, then said, "Understood."

"Kitagawa-san, it's just a minor actor, do you really need him?"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone.

"Consider this me repaying a favor," Matsumoto said in a low voice. "We're even now."