Chapter 44 – We Will Begin Recording Now. Stand By!

[M-TVS ‘Produce 102’ Program Pre-meeting]

The CP sat crookedly on his chair with a frown, taking a puff of his electronic cigarette.

Huuu—

A long stream of smoke blew out. Clicking the back of his ballpoint pen, ‘click, click,’ he wore an expression that suggested something was not to his liking.

“Ah… damn… this raises my blood pressure! Hey, which bastard drew this up, huh? Is this order correct?”

He raised his voice, tapping the documents with his ballpoint pen.

“Why bother keeping the camera on kids from bottom-tier agencies that aren’t even mid-tier anyway! Change this order right now.”

The ballpoint pen scribbled across the documents irritably.

“Yes, understood.”

As the short response came out, the CP picked up his ballpoint pen again and scanned the list.

“…The judges.”

His eyebrows furrowed slightly. The PD was also extremely tense because of the CP, who had suddenly come to turn everything upside down, as if something about the judging had gone awry.

“Is it really okay to use this rapper? I heard some rumors that this bastard is doing drugs lately?”

“I looked into it, and there haven’t been any particularly bad rumors so far.”

“No bad rumors? Isn’t it just that their agency blocked it with money? He’s completely filled with bravado, showing off, and has a severe case of artist syndrome. The moment he’s told to join the military, his bravado suddenly becomes an illness. Ridiculous…”

The hand of the CP, who was turning the pages, stopped.

“Geum Nae-yeong? What is this? What kind of nobody is this?”

“Yes. He is a popular lawyer who is doing well these days. He is young, and since his face is idol-tier, interest is high.

Furthermore, since he is a character who says everything on his mind, his public recognition is also high. We cast him to generate buzz in the beginning. It is a special appearance, so it is a one-time thing.”

“What do you mean, ‘he says everything on his mind’?”

The CP frowned.

“Well… he is famous for not caring about what others think. In today’s terms, ‘his energy is really strong’… or ‘extremely strong-willed’, perhaps.

Since his character is established that way, we thought it would help with the initial buzz if we framed his image in the teaser and the first episode as a ‘devil lawyer judge evaluating the character of idols’.”

“Hmm… these days, every Tom, Dick, and Harry is scrambling to get on TV.”

The CP roughly turned the documents again.

“When you pull the footage, edit it so it looks like he is throwing harsh words at the kids and they are crying.

Make him look completely like a devil judge. Let it scream ‘human trash.’ You know what I mean, right? Don’t make it bland.”

One of the writers, who was quietly taking notes, spoke cautiously.

“…If it is too severe, won’t the lawyer’s side protest?”

“Protest? As if. He is also coming out to promote himself.”

The CP snorted in derision.

“Once ordinary people get a taste of broadcasting, they find it incomparably better than working a hundred days.

That is why they crawl out by any means necessary. It also promotes them naturally.

Whether he is extremely strong-willed or whatever, this lawyer is coming out because he’s greedy for promotion too. Then, he has to endure a bit of evil editing.”

“But… it didn’t seem to be that kind of feeling…”

The FD spoke softly, but the CP frowned deeply and irritably turned the meeting materials.

“Sigh… there are only frustrating kids here.”

The CP leaned back in his chair and let out a sigh.

“Isn’t there any kid from a rich family here?”

“Yes, the granddaughter of the chairman of the famous Cha & Kim Pharmaceutical Company is Contestant Number 31.”

“Really? Then pay close attention to her. Give her solo shots too. So we can get advertisements later. Got it?”

He gave the instructions like that and took another drag from his electronic cigarette.

Huuu—

While the smoke drifted away, the CP picked up the coffee on the desk and took a long sip.

“Ah… why does the coffee taste like this? Hey, someone go out and buy some coffee. Not cheap stuff, Starbucks.”

The youngest writer hurriedly grabbed her wallet and stood up. As she moved in a rush and the chair legs clattered, the writer cried out, “I’m sorry!” and dashed out the door.

“So slack. They should have bought it in advance… Why is there not a single guy who works to my liking.”

The CP grumbled and leaned back in his chair again.

“Now, next.”

The meeting continued like that.

At that time, Geum Nae-yeong was reviewing the appearance contract in his office.

[Appearance Contract]

…Hereinafter referred to as Party A (M-TVS) and Party B (Geum Nae-yeong)…

He nodded slightly as he slowly read the wording of the contract.

“Party A shall, in regards to Party B’s appearance on the program…”

The pen tracing the clauses stopped one line above.

Scribble—

“Hmm… there is something like this.”

Geum Nae-yeong drew a line on a part of the contract with a red pen.

At that moment.

A knock was heard.

Knock, knock.

Ju Yong-hae entered carrying some documents.

Glancing at the contract Geum Nae-yeong was holding, Ju Yong-hae tilted his head with a strange expression.

However, he soon recalled his original purpose and spoke.

“Lawyer, the witness examination questions have arrived. They asked us to confirm receipt immediately… Would you like to take a look?”

Geum Nae-yeong nodded and accepted the documents.

“Ah. The opposing party is Gankyeok.”

Flutter,

Geum Nae-yeong quickly reviewed the documents.

“…It is nothing much.”

“Yes, then I will immediately confirm receipt and send it.”

“No. Leave the documents and send them slowly whenever you want to, Office Manager.”

Ju Yong-hae paused.

“Yes..? Slowly?”

Geum Nae-yeong spoke briefly, still not taking his eyes off the documents.

“Until now, they deliberately harassed you by calling you back and forth, saying they couldn’t see the contents of the documents or that the exhibit numbers were wrong.

They need to experience the same situation themselves.”

“……!”

A smile spread across Ju Yong-hae’s face.

“Yes, I understand what you mean. They will also have to attach the receipt confirmation and submit it to the court… They will be absolutely furious if we give it to them late. I will head out then. Hahaha.”

Ju Yong-hae left the office with a laugh, and after scanning the contract one last time, Geum Nae-yeong signed it.

Click.

As soon as the electronic signature was completed, Geum Nae-yeong immediately pressed the email send button.

As soon as the office manager went out, another knock was heard immediately.

Knock, knock.

“Yes. Come in.”

“Lawyer Geum. Did you get home safe yesterday?”

It was Seong Seok-ju. He was worried about Geum Nae-yeong because of what happened yesterday.

“What is the matter?”

“I heard the news. I heard we are having a dinner tomorrow? And at the 5-star InterKontinental at that… Surely it isn’t because of how we helped yesterday?”

Without taking his eyes off the documents, Geum Nae-yeong answered calmly.

“No. Not at all.”

Seong Seok-ju waved his hand and laughed pleasantly.

“Hey… what do you mean, not at all. Still, a hotel is a bit… we could just… go to a pork belly place… why so grand… haha. It’s a bit burdensome.”

Geum Nae-yeong answered briefly, as if talking to himself.

“Not at all. But you even came in person, and since I received a favor for free, I must repay it.”

As if somewhat embarrassed, Seong Seok-ju brushed off the wrinkles on his clothes for no reason and spoke.

“No. It was just… I was really passing by… Haha. By the way, is Tae-gyu coming too?”

“Yes. All the staff.”

“Aren’t you overdoing it? It must be expensive. You really don’t have to go this far. We could have just done it among ourselves.”

“Pardon? Well, I have no intention of doing that. All the staff must go together.”

Watching Seong Seok-ju, who kept saying strange things, Geum Nae-yeong tilted his head.

“…My, what a person… Haha.”

Seong Seok-ju let out a hollow laugh and shook his head.

“You’re as shy as ever. If the bill comes out to be too much later, let’s split it.”

“No, I will pay. Because it is a debt I must repay.”

“No, really, to go that far… Hahahaha. See you tomorrow then.”

Seong Seok-ju waved his hand and closed the door as he left in a good mood.

‘As expected, he is a decent guy.’

Meanwhile, Geum Nae-yeong found Seong Seok-ju, who had left while grinning, very strange.

‘Since I ate the free lunch box, I decided to return the favor as my father said, but why is he talking about splitting the bill?’

***

The day of the audition program recording.

Arriving at the broadcasting station, Geum Nae-yeong headed to the dressing room with familiar steps. As he sat on the chair, the makeup artist and hair designer quickly moved their hands.

After a while, a writer approached with a bundle of scripts and spoke in a gentle tone.

“Lawyer, this is the script and contestant information. You know how it is, right? Since you’ve done a lot of broadcasting…

The score written next to it is like a standard that you must give at least this many points.”

The writer explained, pointing at the table with her finger.

Geum Nae-yeong raised his eyebrows slightly as he scanned the pages.

“But why is the minimum score different for each contestant?”

The writer gave an embarrassed smile.

“Ah, that’s… as you know, large agencies and individual trainees are a bit different.

Large agencies like JMK cooperate well with us… well… it’s a bit of a mutual aid system in that way.

We have to raise their scores a bit like this so that when their popular idols have their comeback stages, they adjust their schedules favorably for us.

Um… so you can just think of it as giving them a bit more… points.”

“Ah… I understand what you mean. What is good is good. Broadcasting station bastards.”

“Pardon? Ah… yes… hahaha.”

When Geum Nae-yeong nodded calmly, the writer smiled brightly as if relieved.

“As expected of a lawyer, you are quick-witted. Haha.”

With that, the writer soon checked her watch and continued.

“Well, recording will start soon. Please just take good care of the script.”

“Yes. Understood.”

At that moment, the PD, who was waiting for Geum Nae-yeong’s preparation, winked at the assistant cameraman.

It was a signal to bring the small vlog camera. The cameraman nodded immediately.

“Lawyer, you are all ready, right?”

As the PD approached and asked, Geum Nae-yeong nodded.

“By the way, lawyer, if you don’t mind, could I ask a few simple legal consultations or personal questions?”

“Yes. If it is simple, I will answer now.”

“I slightly scraped the neighbor’s car as I was leaving home this morning.

Actually… I should have left my contact info… but you know how it is, right? I was in a rush, and if the other party didn’t know, it might just pass… but if I get caught later, will I receive a severe legal punishment?”

At the PD’s question, Geum Nae-yeong answered immediately.

“Hmm… first of all, it is natural to be punished if you break the law. However, if it is a simple hit-and-run causing property damage, you could receive administrative measures such as a fine of 200,000 won or less, detention, a minor fine, and 25 penalty points. Still, no matter how rushed you are, leaving contact information is the common-sense action.”

The PD threw various other miscellaneous questions, and Geum Nae-yeong answered them simply.

After a few more questions went back and forth, a moment later.

“Ah, I see. Thank you for the detailed advice. Then, please take good care of today’s broadcast.”

The PD nodded with satisfaction and disappeared, and soon after, the staff moved busily, and the lighting supervisor signaled.

The stage lights turned on, and a red light slowly dyed the inside of the studio.

At the edge of Geum Nae-yeong’s vision, a wide stage and a large screen above it were visible. Looking at the cue sheet, it seemed to be a stage configuration where judging was done by team, from Team A to Team K.

While Geum Nae-yeong was lost in thought while looking at the names of the contestants marked with a ★ in the script, the FD announced the start.

“Well, we will begin recording now. Stand by!”

“Cue!”

The red ON AIR light turned on in the studio.