Geon promptly contacted Lin in China.
His inquiry aimed to discuss the possibility of starting broadcasts in Korea and the potential for a contract lasting less than six months. Lin, considering the need to sustain the relationship with the future star Geon, offered an unconventional contract with a production support fee of 30% without any upfront payment.
After consulting with Yeongseok, Geon accepted Lin's proposal, and the contract was arranged through Fantasio. Right from Geon and Lin's first conversation, Fantasio had already acknowledged Geon's terms as a matter of fact and dispatched their team to Korea the day after the acceptance call.
Geon found himself seated with Fantasio representatives in a nearby café, engaging in discussions.
The team sent by Fantasio comprised one manager, one coordinator, and one hair designer.
The manager, Byungjoon, was a young man just three years older than Geon. Fantasio considered their need for close communication with Geon and thus sent an all-Korean team. Byungjoon stood at around 173cm, well-built, with a slightly dark complexion, sporting a short Mohawk hairstyle and dressed in a suit.
The coordinator, Sangmi, was a woman in her early twenties, petite at around 160cm, with a healthy dark complexion.
The hair designer, Yeonju, was a petite woman standing around 155cm, exuding a charming and bright smile. All three had childhood roots in China, where their families had immigrated and they studied.
Handing Geon the contract, Byungjoon politely said, "Mr. Geon Kim, here's our contract from Fantasio. You might have been briefed earlier, but our fee stands at 30%. While you might not need it for a short activity, please read through the publicity rights carefully and sign."
Geon meticulously read through the contract handed to him by Byungjoon and signed it.
Seeing Geon, Yeonju, with shining eyes, pulled out her phone from her chest pocket and asked, "Um... Mr. Geon, since we've now signed the contract and will be working together, could I ask a favor?"
Geon chuckled, looking at Yeonju. "Oh? Yes, of course. What's your request?"
Rising from her seat on the café's sofa and sitting next to Geon, Yeonju asked, "Actually... My friends in China won't believe that I'm working as your team member. Could we take a picture together? It's for authentication."
Smiling at Yeonju's request, Geon replied, "Haha, sure, as many as you want. Take a hundred if you'd like, haha."
As Yeonju started taking photos, Sangmi blushed slightly and joined in. "Um... over there! Me too, me too!"
"Ah, no, wait! Let me take one first, then you, and then the gentleman. Step back a bit, you two need to be in frame. Come on, quickly! Move aside!"
As Sangmi and Yeonju chattered, Byungjoon interjected seriously, "Hey, Yeonju, Sangmi, it's our first meeting, mind your manners?"
Though Sangmi gave a disapproving look, seeing Geon smiling, she rolled her eyes and then started taking pictures after Yeonju. After snapping more than thirty photos with different angles, she finally took a picture of Sangmi and Geon, then proceeded to take one with Byungjoon and Geon. Despite only taking two pictures, Byungjoon seemed content.
"Ahem... send me those, right now."
Yeonju giggled, teasingly, "Hehe, acting so dignified when you wanted to take pictures too, hehe."
Geon chuckled and said to Byungjoon, "You three seem close. Have you been working together for long?"
The relatively calm Sangmi replied, "It's been about a year. As you can see, we're all in our early twenties and started working not too long ago. Both Byungjoon and Yeonju joined around the same time. Although this task is related to you, we decided without hesitation to come to Korea as Byungjoon and Yeonju are close."
Nodding in agreement, Geon turned to Byungjoon, "Then, we should start planning the schedule in earnest. Shouldn't we establish the direction first? I'm known as a singer, but without any albums and just one released song, it might be difficult to function as a singer."
Acknowledging Geon, Byungjoon nodded and took out a notebook. "You're correct. Even our headquarters initially pondered on that. However, we're Fantasio. We have the best manager, Jin, and an analysis team. Plus, we have the financial capability. We've drafted a plan tailored to your situation. We've already met with stakeholders before meeting you. And after discussions with PDs who are strongly interested in your appearance, it was concluded that we should engage in a program that allows for extensive storytelling to boost interest and dispel the reporters lingering outside your home."
Taking a sip from his iced Americano, Byungjoon continued, "Firstly, there's a PD, Kim Yeongseok, from TVN. I've heard he has a personal rapport with you. After our preliminary investigation, we confirmed that the ongoing show, 'Chuno,' has 24 episodes, and only six are left to air, ending in three weeks. Directly after that, a new variety show begins recording. It's a pilot program, but it's led by star PD Kim Yeongseok, so I believe participating won't be detrimental."
Geon queried, "Oh, really? Working with Yeongseok hyung would be comfortable. What kind of program is it?"
Scrutinizing his notebook, Byungjoon furrowed his brow. "The program's title is undecided... It's about living self-sufficiently on a remote island far away. We might have to eat and sleep on the island for two weeks. I don't quite understand. Will this be really enjoyable?"
Geon chuckled, "Wow, I've never been to an island; it might be fun. But surely, it's not an uninhabited island?"
Byungjoon nodded, "Yes, there are around 100 residents."
Relieved, Geon nodded, but Byungjoon added with a meaningful tone, "Actually, there's another agenda for participating in this program."
Curious, Geon asked for clarification.
"It's for the next show we'll participate in: 'My Little Television.' Do you know about it? It's a program related to internet broadcasting, running a personal broadcasting station."
Understanding, Geon nodded, and Byungjoon's eyes glinted as he continued, "It's part of the preparations for that program. For the island program, actors Cha Seungwon and Yoo Haejin are the main participants, and you'll be a guest. But there's one more guest: Ham Chunho."
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