Chapter 206. Universe CF
Jun-ho knew that Yeon-woo's every project had been a massive hit, and that he even held profit shares through running guarantees for "White Blood," which became a mega-hit after expanding overseas.
Even though he had cut himself off from the world until his military enlistment, he hadn't completely shut his ears to stories about his colleagues.
Still, in Jun-ho's mind, Yeon-woo was strongly associated with the image of a young brother who used to come to film sets wearing a school uniform.
"...Yeon-woo, you're really a big shot now."
"No, well, I wouldn't say big shot..."
Yeon-woo laughed awkwardly.
The three of them gathered after a long time, catching up and chatting away.
Jun-ho did most of the talking.
Being a soldier, most of Jun-ho's stories were naturally about military life, and for reference, Jin-yuk had already completed his service and was discharged as an Army Sergeant.
Yeon-woo was someone who used to slap sense into special forces operatives when they would flounder during actual special missions, despite their big talk during training.
In front of him, Jun-ho's stories were like watching a child's play, so he nodded along with a paternal smile as 'Private First Class Jun-ho' enthusiastically shared his tales.
"I see. That must have been really tough, Jun-ho."
"Man, don't even get me started. The snow was piled up like mountains, and there I was with just a shovel..."
Jun-ho excitedly continued his story while Yeon-woo pinched his thigh trying to hold back his laughter.
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After finishing the contract and catching up, Jun-ho returned to Chuncheon, and after a few days, he went back to his unit following his dreamlike leave.
Meanwhile, Yeon-woo spent his days leisurely practicing acting and exercising during the day, and at night, he began gathering intelligence with Han Hae-woon and other agents after work.
While carefully investigating the suspicious points found in Okinawa from the previous immigration records, they also cautiously worked on mapping out Baek Sol's organizational network within the prosecution.
During this time, Yeon-woo received a phone call on his smartphone.
"Hm? It's Director Yoon."
Yeon-woo answered the phone and greeted her.
"Director Yoon, have you eaten?"
- Ah, Actor Ryu. I just finished eating and am on my way back. The new brunch restaurant on the first floor is quite good.
Now not only was the first floor of Mokhwa Building completely filled, but a new commercial district was emerging around it.
Yeon-woo nodded with a smile.
"I should go try it sometime."
- If you go there to eat, Actor Ryu, the lines will probably be too long for anyone else to eat afterward. If you're planning to go, let me know in advance. I'll go before that happens.
Yeon-woo laughed at Director Yoon Mi-yeon's joke.
Though Mi-yeon wasn't actually joking.
- By the way, I called because the CF deal we discussed before for the White Blood expedition members has been confirmed.
"Ah, so the schedule's finally been set. Which CF are we shooting first?"
- The smartphone one has been confirmed first.
"A smartphone..."
At Director Yoon's words, Yeon-woo recalled that his first-ever commercial was also for a smartphone.
To be precise, it was a CF combined with a telecommunications company.
He remembered shooting with Director Lee Yong-su, where the concept was him holding a smartphone in a classroom while suspended by wires, then falling through space into an amateur film set.
'It's been so long since we shot that.'
Shaking off his thoughts, Yeon-woo continued.
"Then I suppose we should look at the storyboard with the expedition members."
- Yes. If your personal schedule allows, would you like to do it today?
"That works for me. I'll see you at the company then."
- Alright.
After hanging up, Yeon-woo put on some clothes to go out, and Kim Min-soo's car arrived.
- I've arrived in front of your house.
"Yes, I'll be right down."
Yeon-woo came out and got into Min-soo's car.
Since he hadn't had any schedules lately, it felt like it had been quite a while since they'd seen each other.
"Min-soo hyung, how have you been? How's the training going?"
At Yeon-woo's question, Min-soo made a dejected face.
"It feels like wearing clothes that don't fit. Me, doing training..."
As the head of Management Team 1, Min-soo had been in charge of training new managers on days when Yeon-woo didn't have any schedules.
Yeon-woo laughed and shook his head at Min-soo's words.
"There's no one better suited than you, hyung. You're the best manager there is."
"No, not at all. You're too kind."
While chatting about various things, Min-soo's car arrived at Mokhwa Building, and Yeon-woo got out and went up.
When he opened the door, all the members were already there.
"Hm? I came right after getting the call, how are you all here already?"
"You were the last one we called, Actor Ryu."
"Han Byul and I were already at the company hanging out!"
Han Byul would come straight to the company after school to spend time with her unnies and oppas.
The employees all liked Han Byul's bright personality too, making her the company mascot for both the media and entertainment divisions.
It seemed other actors also spent time at the company even when they didn't have schedules.
'Well, besides the third-floor café, the acting practice facilities on the fourth floor are good.'
They had set up a system where actors could use cameras to check their acting in detail anytime, creating an environment that made people want to come to the company even when they had nothing special to do.
"Dong-ha, you don't have any schedules?"
"My activities finished yesterday!"
"That's good."
Yeon-woo nodded and took a seat.
That's when Director Yoon Mi-yeon came in with an employee from the advertising agency.
Only then did Yeon-woo tilt his head in confusion.
'Come to think of it, it's Director Yoon Mi-yeon instead of CEO Jung-hyuk. Doesn't entertainment handle advertising?'
That question was answered when he saw the advertising storyboard as the agency employee began the briefing after greetings.
The advertisement began with Dong-ha running through a barren desert, kicking up sandstorms.
However, in the storyboard, he wasn't dressed as Dong-ha but in Akhenaten's attire.
'So they're going with the "White Blood" concept.'
Several questions popped into Yeon-woo's mind all at once.
'Fantasy for a cutting-edge electronic product like a smartphone...?'
Just as Yeon-woo was about to tilt his head in confusion, he saw the rest of the content and nodded.
From the middle of the advertisement, the members started appearing in normal clothes from the real world, alternating with their drama characters.
Yeon-woo looked at the slogan written at the top of the planning document handed out by the agency employee.
- Beyond universe, Over the top.
'Beyond Universe... Since Universe is this smartphone's name, they must have used it to mean it's a model that surpasses the previous one.'
Yeon-woo smirked at the phrase written after it.
Over the top (excessive).
The dictionary definition means exceeding an acceptable threshold.
While it's often used negatively to mean 'too much,' it can sometimes mean 'surpassing limits.' And there was another usage.
Netflix, where "White Blood" was streamed, is commonly called an OTT service.
That OTT stands for Over The Top.
'It's wordplay. A model that surpasses limits while also targeting OTT services.'
When Yeon-woo flipped to the next page, sure enough, there was a promotional strategy emphasizing breakthrough technology, with a concept about being able to use OTT services without interruption through vivid displays and faster broadband networks than before.
As Yeon-woo nodded and looked at the screen, the storyboard content being briefed by the employee had already progressed to showing drama characters and real-world actors becoming one.
'So the members will have to act dual roles while looking at empty space.'
It would be technically and dramatically challenging to film.
The advertising agency employee, having finished explaining the storyboard, looked at the actors with a slightly nervous expression and said:
"That concludes it. Since most of the filming content will need CG processing, there may be many difficult parts, but we'll provide maximum support."
However, the members' faces were full of confidence after hearing the presentation.
Actually, while filming "White Blood," the members had always acted in tight motion capture suits looking at empty space in a chroma key studio, so this concept would be a piece of cake.
"Hyung, doesn't this feel similar to when we filmed the Trade City part?"
When Dong-ha said this, Han Byul shook her head beside him.
"I think this will be much easier!"
The advertising agency employee, who had been worried about negative reactions to the difficult filming requirements, wiped his brow in relief and continued:
"And we plan to release smartphone colors named after each of you."
"Oh?"
"Really?!"
The members were surprised at the agency employee's words.
The employee pressed a button and the presentation moved to the next slide.
"It will be released in these five colors."
Yeon-woo would get Jet Black, Jung Soo-yeon would get Silver White.
And Ella would get Pink Gold close to white, while Dong-ha would get Carmine Red.
"Hmm, why am I just Gold? Makes me look old."
The color assigned to Jung Cheol-min was Gold, which looked luxurious in one way, but also gave off a senior-friendly phone vibe.
The employee nervously tried to appease Jung Cheol-min.
"Gold is the most luxurious color and most popular with the middle-aged demographic, so it sells out immediately upon release."
Of course, statistically it would be the first to sell out.
That's because they'd produce fewer units than other colors since it wouldn't sell as well.
Still, everyone seemed excited about becoming main models for the new smartphone and having colors named after them.
If Son Jin-hyuk and Han So-hyeon had been members of the expedition team, they wouldn't have been this excited.
They were both already top stars when Yeon-woo debuted, and had done countless commercials until now.
But since Han Byul and Jung Soo-yeon were practically rookies, Jung Cheol-min was unknown, and Dong-ha's individual recognition was low compared to the group's, they could fully enjoy their transformed popularity after the success of "White Blood."
That's when Yeon-woo quietly raised his hand to ask a question.
The advertising agency employee nodded upon seeing this.
"Ah, yes, Actor?"
"This has been coordinated with the original creator, I assume?"
"Of course. We've completed separate discussions with Director Hwang Min-kwon."
Yeon-woo scanned through the storyboard again while continuing his questions.
"Then perhaps for this commercial's CG Director..."
Director Yoon Mi-yeon nodded and answered instead of Yeon-woo's question.
"Director Jung Yo-han will be taking charge."
"I thought as much."
That must be why Director Jung-hyuk wasn't in charge and Director Yoon Mi-yeon was handling it.
After all, Yoon Mi-yeon, who was then a team leader, had overseen the production of "White Blood" under CEO Kim Ju-sung's direction.
"We'll provide another detailed briefing before the commercial filming date."
After the advertising meeting ended, a few days later, leaked information about the upcoming smartphone model spread online.
[IT Research Institute] We have obtained information that the members of the drama "White Blood" will be the main models for the new Universe smartphone, and colors named after each character will be released.
This caused the internet to heat up as both drama fans and early adapters awaiting the new smartphone news exploded with interest.