Chapter 46 – Taste How Scary Broadcasting Can Be

Geum Nae-yeong answered calmly.

“Please first clarify what you mean by ‘this side.’

And the term ‘legal circles’ is more accurate than ‘lawyer side’.”

“By this side, I meant the broadcasting side. Your understanding is a bit slower than I thought?

Frankly speaking, broadcasting income is much better than a lawyer’s. Advertisements will also come in later.”

Nodding his head for a moment, Geum Nae-yeong spoke calmly.

“It seems the probability of you being sued in your life is about 85%, rather than the probability of me being re-employed by this broadcasting station.”

“What? You? Sued? What the hell is this bastard… talking about?”

A swear word popped out of the CP’s mouth like a habit.

His habit of reigning like a king inside the studio was revealed as it was.

“You just swore at me.”

“Swearing? Yes, you bastard, I did! Where does a nobody lawyer like you dare to challenge the CP. Huh?!”

Without a word, Geum Nae-yeong took out his notebook and glanced at his watch.

“4:40 PM. Probability rises to 100%.”

“Hey, what is with this bastard! Fire him right now!”

When the CP shouted, the PD hurriedly grabbed and stopped him.

However, not a single expression on Geum Nae-yeong’s face changed.

“Once the appearance contract is signed, unilateral contract termination is impossible. Furthermore, there is no exception clause regarding unilateral termination anywhere in the special provisions.

Therefore, in the event of a unilateral breach of contract like now, the penalty to be paid to me is 10 times the appearance fee.”

At Geum Nae-yeong’s words, the CP’s face distorted as he grabbed the back of his neck. He glared at Geum Nae-yeong.

“Fine. Go ahead and taste… how scary broadcasting can be. I will make you regret not terminating the contract.”

With the CP’s shouting as the end, that day’s recording came to a tumultuous close.

Two days later.

Chief Kim Mi-yeong was doing the intermediate dishes at home with the TV on, after putting beef jangjorim on the gas stove to simmer.

Meanwhile, from the TV sound she was half-listening to, a familiar name caught her ear.

[Produce 102 Teaser]

[Lawyer Geum Nae-yeong! Was he originally this kind of person?]

[A devil judge has appeared! He spews harsh words with a cold face. What will be the fate of the contestants?]

Instantly, Kim Mi-yeong approached the TV still wearing her rubber gloves.

“Oh my… what is this?”

[It is natural to be punished.]

Geum Nae-yeong’s expression on the screen was cold. In front of him, Contestant Number 4 began to shed tears.

[Act with common sense.]

[Th-those words… are too much…]

Scenes of contestants bursting into tears one after another at Geum Nae-yeong’s harsh words followed.

Contestant Number 56 wiped her tears, stood up abruptly, and walked out of the screen.

[I. I want to stop.]

A scene of the staff patting and bringing back the contestant who left her seat.

The contestant, sitting back in her seat with a red nose, said tearfully:

[I’m scared… I just wanted to do well, but the character judge is so strict… Can I give up?]

“Oh my, oh my. Why is Lawyer Geum appearing like such a terrible villain under the sun…?”

Although water was dripping from her rubber gloves, Kim Mi-yeong watched the TV without even realizing it.

The broadcast had made him into a very evil person who spat harsh words deliberately to torment young contestants.

“Although Lawyer Geum is originally a bit chilly… he is not a bad person… The broadcasting station is indeed scary. To make a person look like that.”

The next day at the office.

“Did everyone see the preview of the broadcast yesterday?”

Manager Yeom joked and laughed.

“Yeah… he came out looking exactly like a total bad guy, you know? He’s handsome but since he throws harsh words at kids, he looks like an even worse guy.

Actually, Lawyer Geum’s personality isn’t that great anyway, is it? Hahaha.”

Cha Ra-ri chided him.

“Oh my, Manager Yeom. Is that something to laugh about? A character controversy is already about to erupt. It looked to be at a level where he would be completely cut from other programs he appears on.”

“Still, no matter what, the PD went too far. People are really… sigh…”

Ju Yong-hae added, as if worried about his daughter.

“Anyway, will our daughter be okay?”

Cha Ra-ri cut in halfway.

“Wait, but did Ha-yul go there? If I had known earlier, I would have at least taught her well how to do hair and makeup… We were completely in the dark.”

At that, Kim Mi-yeong sighed.

“We also found out only the day before. The kid suddenly brought the parental consent form out of nowhere and said:

‘Mom, if you don’t let me go, I will run away from home right now.’

So I said, ‘Fine! Go, go! Still no!’ and… what do you know, she really went to her dad’s house?

Sigh… I really can’t deal.

Who does she get that stubbornness from… and then she got her dad’s signature and took it.

In any case, he spoils the child too much…”

“Anyway… in any case, since Ha-yul is going, I hope it goes well.”

It was then. Assistant Manager Kim tilted his head while looking at his cell phone.

“Uh… but… what is this? It’s a hugely popular post right now… I think this is the program Ha-yul is participating in?”

“What is it?”

“This is wild..? This is circulating as a file. Look.”

[Audition Program Staff Character Grade Evaluation]

A screenshot of the post, along with a link, was attached.

“What is this? Link to the original post?”

Assistant Manager Kim clicked the link. It immediately connected to the M-TVS viewer bulletin board.

M-TVS Viewer Bulletin Board

(This is an anonymous space used by everyone, so please use proper words and good opinions.)

1. Program Production Team Character Evaluation ∥ Views: 8002 ∥ Writer: Sniper Geum

2. Remove Music Instrument Camp No Fun Not Watching ∥ Views: 2 ∥ Writer: Music God

3. Please replace Announcer Kim Sik ∥ Views: 10 ∥ Writer: Nightingale

4. Super Boring Broadcasting Station Watch Other Channels ∥ Views: 3 ∥ Writer: TBS

5. Politicians are all scammers never believe them ∥ Views: 8 ∥ Writer: Hong Gil-dong

6. File Playground All Free Download ∥ Views: 2 ∥ Writer: Fun File

.

.

“…Production team character evaluation?”

A post written by a person named Sniper Geum.

In it, the character evaluations of about 200 anonymized members of the production team of a certain program were posted.

Especially, the qualitative evaluations written very meticulously for each person were drawing reactions from people.

1. A oo: Routinely uses harsh language and insulting verbal abuse toward colleagues working together.

To the level of having swear words attached to the end of every sentence. Does not guarantee rest time for minor contestants, and verbal abuse and swearing are default options.

Indoor smoking problem is also serious. Implicitly instructs to give different default scores to each trainee.

Lowest scores in all areas of communication skills, ethical awareness, teamwork, and problem-solving ability. Considerable overall character issues.

In the event of a legal dispute over violations, the civil and criminal litigation costs he must pay personally are expected to be approximately 100 million won.

General Review: F-

2. B oo: Strong tendency to avoid problems despite being the actual person in charge.

Flattery ability is A+, other than that, nothing special to show.

If legal problems occur within the program, there is a high possibility of joint liability issues arising with A.

Self-directedness is lowest, lack of leadership, communication, responsibility, and problem-solving abilities are all low.

General Review: D

3. C oo: Made efforts in the program production process, but was dragged around by A and B. Responsibility and positive attitude are highly evaluated, but avoidance tendency is a problem.

Consumes coffee excessively, so a health checkup seems urgent.

Stress management and initiative are weak, and the reason for slow execution compared to motivation is due to A’s continuous workplace harassment.

The most effective stress relief method at this point is filing a lawsuit.

General Review: C

4. D oo: Communication and self-development skills are high. However, in this organization, that type is the most unnecessary. Puts his own work on the back burner and frequently asks managers of some contestants, ‘Is there any opening in your company?’

As a result, it helps with organizational communication, but his value of existence is questionable.

General Review: C

5. E oo: F in teamwork and ethical awareness fields. Leaves main tasks to D and refreshes stock charts on a second-by-second basis.

Mood matches the KOSPI graph. Habitually repeats phrases like ‘trapped deeply’ or ‘bought at the peak,’ but actually does not sell and just keeps watching. This is incomprehensible behavior.

General Review: E

…The order is by rank.

“Wow… what is this? He really wrote it amazingly. He wrote it using blind names so you wouldn’t know who they are, but since he said it is by rank at the end…

if it’s the same company, doesn’t everyone know who they are?”

“So there are rumors that this is that program Ha-yul is in.”

“But the evaluation is indeed very thorough and interesting. 100 million won is possible if civil/criminal lawsuits are filed? Hahaha.”

“Really? Didn’t someone write it for fun? We can’t know if the content is true either.”

“But despite that, isn’t the evaluation extremely internal and professional? The legal views too…”

“Ah…”

“Besides, the writer’s nickname is ‘Sniper Geum.’ Doesn’t it remind you of someone for some reason?”

“…Ah…”

At that time, Geum Nae-yeong was writing a brief in his office.

“Document creation work for 200 people is tiring.”

As Geum Nae-yeong pressed his tired eyes, his cell phone rang.

-Buzz, buzz, buzz.

“Hello.”

“Who is this?”

“Who else… fuck! Hey, the broadcasting station is in an absolute uproar right now because of you! Hey!! It’s you, right? You wrote this, didn’t you?”

“What are you talking about?”

The CP started swearing as soon as he called.

“What? You bastard, are you playing games with me right now?”

“I am not playing games.”

“What are you trying to do? Are you trying to ruin someone’s life? You bastard, didn’t you do this on purpose to get revenge on me?”

“No. I did not.”

“Delete it right now! Delete it this instant!”

“I will not delete it. Since I do not know what you mean.”

“Hey! We asked you to evaluate the kids’ character, who told you to do the whole thing?”

“First of all, I do not know what you mean, but my appearance contract stated, ‘Please conduct character evaluations across all areas of the overall program.'”

“Is that what that means? This guy is a complete lunatic! I won’t let you get away with this!!! You seem to love the law, fine! You bastard! I will show you a taste of hell with the lawsuits you love!”

“Suit yourself.”

“Hey, you crazy bastard—”

Click.

Geum Nae-yeong hung up the phone.

“Hey! You bastard!! Ah, damn it, did he hang up? What. Okay… you are dead…”

Holding the disconnected phone, CP Park Si-ram began to grind his teeth.

And he called a lawyer friend from Gankyeok whom he knew well.

Ring, ring. Ring, ring.

“Hello? Jin-seok? Ha… I’m dying right now. Because of some fucking bastard of a lawyer, I just got contacted that the Ministry of Employment and Labor is coming for an inspection…

And some public agency like the National Center for the Rights of the Child or whatever says they are dispatching inspectors… Anyway, because of that, the upper management is in an absolute uproar.

I just tried to do a good job with the broadcast… but this son of a bitch posted staff evaluation scores on the anonymous board saying our broadcasting environment is crappy.”

“Anonymous board?”

“Yeah… on the viewer feedback section…”

“Hey, why get angry over something like that.”

“I’m angry because I know who wrote it!

We used him once for buzz because they said he’s a popular lawyer these days, but after I gave him a few bitter words, this bastard is taking revenge?”

“A lawyer? A lawyer did that?”

“Yeah… that’s why it’s ridiculous.”

“What is his name? Isn’t he a crazy guy? Why would he post such a thing… geez…”

“Name? Geum Nae-yeong. His name is also crappy.”

“Geum… what?”

“Geum Nae-yeong.”

Click.

“Huh? What?… Why did the call cut off?”

CP Park Si-ram called again, but Lawyer Chu Jin-seok of Law Firm Gankyeok never answered the phone again.

Tilting his head as if something was strange, he searched through his contact list as if resolved.

‘If it’s a lawsuit, the number one law firm is still the best.’

[Kim & Chang Lawyer Yang Jin-mo 010-2351-****]

Park Si-ram pressed the call button firmly.

“Lawyer Yang? I greeted you at our company’s shareholders’ meeting last time. I am CP Park Si-ram. Have you been well?”

“Ah… yes. Hello.”

“Something urgent came up regarding company matters, so I wanted to ask you something.”

“Yes. Go ahead.”

“Some guy wrote insults about me on the viewer bulletin board… anyway, I want to catch this guy and punish him legally. Is consultation possible?”

“Yes. Of course. But is the damage significant?”

“Yes. It is huge… Even the other party is acting shamelessly because he is a lawyer.”

“A lawyer?.. Why would a lawyer… Anyway, what is his name?

I will check the bar association site. Maybe he is not a lawyer.”

“The name… is Geum Nae-yeong. He is a very bad guy.”

“Geum… what? Surely not… 7.8 billion Geum Nae-yeong?”

“Pardon? What is 7.8 billion Geum Nae-yeong?”

“Ah… you got tangled up with him…”

A sigh and a brief silence flowed.

“I can’t tell you in detail… but probably no one will take the lawsuit.

Even in our firm, we call him the 7.8 billion lunatic… If possible, just pass it over quietly.

That guy… there are even rumors that he has the bar association’s ledger of shame. Since no one will take the lawsuit, just apologize to him first and settle it amicably… resolve it.

If you try to touch him, you could face a greater disaster. I will leave it at that.”

Click.

“…A greater disaster?”

Park Si-ram sat down with a thud holding the disconnected phone.