Second Promotional Video (1)
When the party ended, daily life returned once again.
The four of us—Choi Hyena, Park Seok-min, Lee Yunjung, and I—gathered to hold a Reform Division meeting.
The Marketing & PR Team members were busy with work and couldn't attend the meeting.
The pressing issue for Team Leader Park Seok-min was the rebuilding of the Event & Performance Team.
It wasn't just the former team leader, Kim Cheol-jin, who was fired from the Event & Performance Team.
His foreign female supporters were dismissed as well.
Furthermore, because former Team Leader Kim Cheol-jin ignored the balance between performances and parades, recruiting members according to his own desires, we now had to reallocate the workforce.
"For the time being, we'll need to scale down both parades and performances."
At my words, Team Leader Park Seok-min revealed a sense of regret.
"With recruit promotions about to get fully underway... I'm sorry I can't be more helpful."
"This isn't your fault, Team Leader. Please focus on resolving the staffing issue swiftly."
"Understood. But, Division Director... there's a favor I'd like to ask."
"What is it?"
"I'd like to convert two of the current team members to full-time positions."
Park Seok-min's voice grew cautious.
One of the Reform Division's vulnerabilities was probably new recruitment.
If we criticized Next Planet's management inefficiency harshly, only to then hire new full-time staff ourselves?
That would be an easy target for criticism.
"If it's absolutely necessary, then go ahead. You can proceed confidently with that sort of thing."
"Thank you."
Now was the time to back up Park Seok-min with strength.
Even though our available resources were limited, we couldn't afford to discourage newly added talent from the start.
"For now, let's not do any external performances. You don't need to make money outside; please focus first on team reorganization and overall content updates."
"Thank you for your consideration."
"But there is something I'd like you to do quickly."
"What is it?"
I explained about the performance venue we planned to build next to the merry-go-round for children.
A frown appeared between Park Seok-min's brows.
"We've never planned performances for preschool children. It's not in my field of expertise..."
"This is something you must resolve as Team Leader, no matter what."
When I spoke firmly, for a moment Park Seok-min looked troubled. But he soon nodded.
"Yes, I'll do it."
That was the response I wanted.
We weren't freelance artists. Even if we worked in the content business, we were still office workers.
We needed to show we could respond to organizational demands.
It would've been the same even if he'd gone to DiOni. Over there, no one would instruct Park Seok-min to only do the work he wanted, 100% of the time.
Now that I'd given the order, all that remained was to trust him. He was the top expert in this field. After intense deliberation, he would find a solution.
"Director, could you tell me which requirements must be included and which ones should absolutely not be included?"
"What must be reflected is that we have to fully drain the children's attention and stamina. What should absolutely be omitted is creating memories through activities experienced together with their parents. That's it."
His frown deepened, as if he hadn't understood at all.
"I can understand draining the children's attention, but I don't get why it's important to also drain their stamina. If kids lose energy, wouldn't their time spent at the theme park shorten?"
"That's right."
"Then... wouldn't that negatively affect sales?"
"That's an outdated theory."
Park Seok-min's expression changed.
It was as if a truth he'd always believed in was being denied.
"Even if they stay longer, how much more will sales really increase? Maybe another snack or two at most. Not that I'm disregarding that, of course."
"We could see an increase in merchandise sales..."
"Merchandise purchases aren't particularly affected by length of stay."
Plus, I doubted they'd be buying Next Planet merchandise anyway.
The quality of the goods was appallingly bad. They definitely needed a complete overhaul.
It was just that I hadn't managed to fix it yet.
"That's... true."
"Our goal is to have family customers not just visit Next Planet once, but to come back two or even three times. What's crucial for that?"
"Of course, it's to give the kids precious memories..."
Right.
That's obvious. But that's just the bare minimum. We had to think about the next step to survive.
"Did taekwondo schools survive by simply teaching kids taekwondo alone?"
"Huh... what?"
"They expanded beyond Korea and across the world because they took on the effort and time that parents would otherwise have had to spend caring for their kids."
In practice, the popularity of taekwondo schools is global.
They don't just teach etiquette—they provide a foundation for activities schools will cover in PE classes.
Of course, the value of taekwondo as content shouldn't be denied.
But it was this desperate effort added on that made it the Olympic event with the widest participation globally.
"Bringing it back to theme parks, as you well know, Next Planet has a fundamental weakness that can never be overcome."
"There's no major city nearby. There's Daejeon, but it only has about 1.5 million people, and people rarely come to Nonsan as it is..."
"Exactly. For families from Seoul or farther cities to come all the way to Nonsan, they have to get ready very early in the morning. Naturally, their parental fatigue skyrockets."
"So, it's important to preserve the parents' stamina."
"In sum, the real goal of our performances isn't the children's enjoyment. It's to drain their stamina."
Sure, the kids have to have fun for us to drain their stamina. But it's a matter of focus.
Park Seok-min gazed into space for a moment, then drank a glass of water before starting to speak.
"I almost want to say something ridiculous..."
He brushed aside his fallen bangs.
"I've been stuck in a creator's mindset for too long. In this regard, maybe it was better that I chose to work with you, director, rather than going to DiOni. Thank you for the enlightenment."
He didn't need to respond so formally. It left me without a word to say, and my face grew hot. I wasn't that amazing.
Hesitating because I didn't know how to react, Choi Hyena stuck her thumb up.
"Wow... Director, your vision even surpasses DiOni's. Once you dominate all of Next Planet, will you make a move on America next?"
"America, come on. Don't overdo it."
When it's over-the-top like Choi Hyena, it's easier to respond. But when it's sincere and weighty, like from Park Seok-min, it's really burdensome.
Now Lee Yunjung's eyes were shining. The next topic involved her.
"Director, everyone. Now, I'll show you the results of my training."
She began making a strawberry croffle. Soon enough, a savory aroma filled the room, and the mouthwatering strawberry croffle was ready.
She handed each of us a strawberry croffle.
"It's not complete yet. But I think it's good enough for people around us to sample."
It was the new menu by Lee Yunjung, our Strawberry Waffle Fairy. I couldn't help but look forward to it.
I took a bite.
Delicious. Seriously good.
The others' faces brightened as well.
Perhaps boosted by the response, Lee Yunjung put both hands on her hips and thrust her chest out.
"I want to try selling the strawberry croffle too."
Choi Hyena started to gush again.
"Yunjung, this is so delicious. It's the best. Our Yunjung's mastered croffles too. Let's sell these right away. Yunjung's evolving from the Strawberry Waffle Fairy to the Strawberry Croffle Goddess."
Park Seok-min exclaimed in admiration.
"Wow! This is incredibly tasty. I'm not someone who eats desserts at all, yet I'd actually pay for this. I vote for adding it to the menu."
This croffle would surely sell well.
Despite this level of flavor, she still said it wasn't perfected. With her determination, she'd make an extraordinary croffle.
Lee Yunjung looked at me with sparkling eyes, surely expecting praise.
"Yunjung-nim, what's your next goal? Will you keep adding new menu items?"
"Yes, I'd like to. Isn't it a bit boring to just stick with the strawberry waffle? I want to create a variety of strawberry-based snacks."
"You're planning to expand horizontally. In that case, I can't permit it for the time being."
"Huh... What?"
Whether in shock, Lee Yunjung just blinked.
Choi Hyena hugged Lee Yunjung and patted her back as she spoke.
"Director, why not? Is it because you don't think Yunjung's croffle will sell?"
"No, I think it'll sell. With Yunjung-nim's skills and passion, every new menu item you make will be top-notch."
"Then why...?"
"It's an issue of identity and uniqueness."
Lee Yunjung suddenly exhaled deeply, pressing her hand to her chest.
"It was a big shock, but I've recovered now. I'm ready to hear your opinion, director. I'll accept all these hardships for my own growth."
Why so dramatic... she was becoming more like Choi Hyena these days.
"To a promotional standpoint, Next Planet currently relies a lot on the 'Strawberry Waffle Fairy' identity. If Yunjung keeps expanding with new menu items, that might dilute the Strawberry Waffle Fairy brand. In other words, its uniqueness will disappear."
"Ah..."
"For now, I'd like you to maintain your title as the Strawberry Waffle Fairy."
Lee Yunjung nodded vigorously. Her expression immediately brightened.
"Oh? This actually means I've been acknowledged, right? Right? For a moment I thought the Director was about to cut me off, I almost cried. Good job holding it in, Yunjung."
"I never said I was going to cut you..."
"It's because you said the uniqueness would disappear. Honestly, it's not like I'm much help in meetings or with other departments."
So that's what she meant.
Certainly, when I'd been preparing to fire the previous Event & Performance Team leader, I'd kept it a secret from Lee Yunjung.
And as she said, it was true she wasn't much help in other areas.
As a leader, I wanted to encourage her with warm words, but I really didn't know what to say.
I glanced at Choi Hyena asking for help with my eyes.
Choi Hyena nodded slightly and promptly hugged Lee Yunjung tightly.
"Yunjung, do you know how much the Director relies on you? Don't say things like that—he'll be hurt. Let's listen to what the Director has to say."
"That's right? I feel totally reenergized now. I'll reflect everything the Director says."
"Well... just be selective with what you listen to..."
Embarrassed, I scratched my cheek and raised my index finger.
"Expansion can also be vertical."
"Uh... huh? I don't get it."
"What about a premium strawberry waffle? Use only top-rank ingredients, and make it a super-limited edition."
"Whaaat... hold on, director. Let me do the math... This could work. I think I can pull this off."
Suddenly, Lee Yunjung's eyes sparkled and, just like I did earlier, she raised her index finger.
"I really want to try this. I'll pour my soul into making a super limited-edition strawberry waffle."
I was relieved she understood.
Now my job was to support her fully. I'd need to bring in the best equipment and ingredients.
And I was considering horizontal expansion as well.
Because in the future, I would nurture Lee Yunjung as a unique brand.
***
Next Planet's Vice CEO, Choi Younghoon, visited Next Global.
Since Choi Younghoon had worked at Next Global for a long time, there were still many people at Next Global who recognized him.
With a stiff face, he knocked on the door of the chairman's office.
"Hyung, it's me—Younghoon."
"Oh my, you! It's been a while. You've been well, right?"
"Yes, hyung, hope you're healthy too."
"Me? Well... I'm just getting older, day by day."
Choi Younghoon felt a sense of relief when Chairman Jung Kyung-chul greeted him as warmly as in the past.
'He hasn't abandoned me yet. Of course—look at how long we've worked together.'
Choi Younghoon brought up memories from Next Global's early days, trying to keep the mood as harmonious as possible.
Maybe because they reminisced about those cherished times, Jung Kyung-chul's gaze softened, and Choi Younghoon proceeded to the real reason for his visit.
"Hyung, about Division Director Lee Hyunmin."
"Oh, what about Hyunmin? You're guiding him along well, right?"
"Yes... but I do have some concerns."
"Really? What kind of concerns?"
"He's very young, so he seems a bit hot-blooded. Reform is great, but I can't deny he sometimes disrupts the company's harmony."
Jung Kyung-chul pretended to ponder.
Having run a company for decades, he couldn't possibly not grasp what Choi Younghoon's real intentions were.
"That's why you're there. Guide Hyunmin's energetic dynamism in a positive direction and keep him in check."
"Yes, understood."
"Honestly, I'm old now. I don't have the energy to micromanage Next Planet's operations anymore. As the actual operator, you're naturally leading the business in a beneficial direction. I was just being cautious."
With those words, Choi Younghoon felt all his accumulated worries vanish at once.
'As I thought, hyung still trusts me. I'm the only one who can run Next Planet.'
Recently, Lee Hyunmin had fired one of his people, which caused him great anxiety. Since the Legal Audit Team responded swiftly, his suspicions only deepened.
Was Chairman Jung Kyung-chul planning to use Lee Hyunmin to root out him and the whole old guard at Next Planet?
But today's meeting put his mind at ease.
'I'll just keep Lee Hyunmin spinning until I can get rid of him for poor performance.'
He bowed respectfully to Jung Kyung-chul.
"Hyung, I'll work even harder from now on."
"Good, I only trust you."
Vice CEO Choi Younghoon left the chairman's office feeling relieved.
After he left, chairman Jung Kyung-chul shook his head.
'Pathetic.'
Chairman Jung Kyung-chul made a phone call somewhere.
"My nephew. Are you free to talk?"
He told his nephew about what had just happened.
"Younghoon is hopeless. He never thinks about what would actually help the company. At this point, shouldn't he at least share his vision or direction for Next Planet? You know I'm intentionally not asking about Next Planet's situation, just watching. He really thinks I have no clue how Next Planet is run."
It was only because there was no alternative, and out of a last sense of loyalty, that Younghoon remained in his position.
But in reality, Jung Kyung-chul reviewed all major reports related to Next Planet.
He'd even thoroughly grasped the recent corruption scandal involving the Event & Performance Team leader.
It was just that Younghoon hadn't noticed in the slightest.
"His limit is right there. All he can think about is how to get in Hyunmin's way. It's so obvious—and so pathetic."
Jung Kyung-chul clicked his tongue.
"What? You're asking if it's time for you to step in? No, not yet. Hyunmin's delivering results, you see. He's even more remarkable than I'd expected."
Unrestrained nagging came from the cellphone, so Jung Kyung-chul held it away for a moment.
"Noisy... I should've put it on speaker. My beloved nephew still has a lot to learn. That kid is just going to keep charging ahead. That's why I want to give him a gift. But you already gave him a present yourself."
-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=
I'm guessing the one he's speaking on the phone is Ji-na...
I kept it as nephew since the wording used is vague, to say the least...
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