NOVEL WEB Episode 122 - Plus Ten
Hearing Yeon-woo’s choice, Team Leader Jung-hyuk and the other team members smiled knowingly.
“We actually anticipated that you would choose the fourth option.”
“Really?”
“The fourth option wasn’t originally on the list. The CEO came in before you arrived and added it, saying you would definitely choose it.”
“CEO Kim Joo-seong?”
Yeon-woo pictured the middle-aged gentleman with pomade-styled hair and a neatly tailored suit. As expected, a legendary figure in this industry was different. To pick out the one program he would want from so many options…
Team Leader Jung-hyuk spoke up, looking at Yeon-woo.
“We also think the effect will be positive. Declining major network variety shows to participate in a YouTube channel where you meet fans directly will positively impact your image.”
Yeon-woo nodded in agreement. While he hadn’t chosen it for image-building, the additional positive effect was certainly a bonus. With the variety show decided, the meeting moved on to the next agenda item.
“Then, we’ll schedule the Lee Han Technology commercial shoot for Patriots and Veterans Month for the week after the YouTube filming.”
“Is the storyboard ready?”
At Yeon-woo’s question, Team Leader Jung-hyuk handed over the storyboard documents.
“I think it turned out quite well. I initially thought it would just be an image-focused ad with you in a military uniform, but it has a story. Please take a look.”
Yeon-woo began to carefully review the storyboard. After a moment, he tilted his head slightly.
‘Hmm? Is this the planner’s intention, or did they unknowingly design it this way?’
The ad featured various scene transitions, all connected by a single overarching theme.
‘The solemnity is consistent, but each scene has a slightly different tone.’
This seemed interesting not just as a commercial but also from an acting perspective. Imagining how he would perform each scene, Yeon-woo smiled.
‘This will be fun.’
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Vibe Studio.
Recently, this social media-based media brand had been thriving, operating several planned channels on YouTube.
“Yes, yes! Thank you! Thank you so much!”
Team Leader Lee Min-kyu, who had been repeatedly bowing and expressing gratitude during a phone call, finally hung up.
“Director…”
“What is it, Min-kyu? What’s going on?”
Although the six or so employees, including the director, were busy with their own tasks, they had been listening intently to Lee Min-kyu’s phone conversation.
“It’s about the ‘Find the Fan’ casting.”
“Yeah, what about ‘Find the Fan’? Did we manage to cast Exis?”
“No, it’s even bigger than that.”
The employees in the office looked puzzled. Exis was the hottest boy group right now, so what could be bigger than casting one of their members?
After taking a moment to catch his breath, Lee Min-kyu spoke.
“Actor Ryu Yeon-woo has agreed to appear.”
“……”
The office fell silent for a moment before erupting into near-screams.
“What?!”
“…Ryu Yeon-woo?”
“Team Leader Lee, is that true?!”
The director stood up abruptly. While casting decisions were usually made after meetings and selecting candidates, the reality was that their corporate YouTube channel’s recognition couldn’t compare to that of a broadcasting station, often leading to failed casting attempts. In fact, they hadn’t even known they had requested Ryu Yeon-woo. While idols often appeared to promote albums or concerts, getting ‘Ryu Yeon-woo’ was a different story.
The director’s smile reached his ears, but he also felt a bit apprehensive.
‘This is a major star who doesn’t even appear on public broadcasting despite numerous offers. If there’s even a small controversy, our channel is finished. I’ll have to personally review and approve every single subtitle.’
Not long after, a post appeared on Ryu Yeon-woo’s fan cafe, Woo’s.
─ [Notice] Please write down your small wishes. Selected participants will receive prepared gifts.
The fan cafe manager, Yeonujina, posted the notice through the guidance of the YouTube team. Thinking it was just a simple raffle event, fan cafe members began posting their small wishes in the comments.
─JainariFan(rlacoa**): I wish for a proper album release, not just a digital single. I’m ready to buy!
─LetsGo(tooker4**): I wish to win third place in the lottery.
─LadySeohui(rlafodu**): Suddenly asking for wishes? It’s not even Christmas.
└ MakeupJuhui(wngml5): Buddha’s birthday is coming soon.
─YeonwooBabyWooju(wkdwo): I work at an entertainment company, and I wish for a competent junior colleague.
└ KyuSla(suin4): Wow! Which entertainment company?
└ YeonwooBabyWooju(wkdwo): Just a small company…
─KingJunsu(forbes**): I wish my TOEIC score would go up by 200 points. Please, Yeon-woo.
The YouTube team selected a wish that Ryu Yeon-woo could personally fulfill from the comments.
“Team Leader, we’ve got the fan’s consent. Now we just need to call the company for filming cooperation.”
“Which company was it?”
“Plus Ten Entertainment.”
Team Leader Lee Min-kyu of Vibe Studio tilted his head.
“Hmm? Who’s there?”
“Not sure. They had quite a few artists until a couple of years ago, but not many now. They seem to be preparing a new girl group, but there’s not much activity otherwise.”
“Then they’ll probably jump at the chance to use Ryu Yeon-woo for some promotion. They’ll likely approve without much trouble.”
Team Leader Lee’s prediction was spot on. The CEO of Plus Ten Entertainment, Byun Hak-gyu, who was struggling to maintain his footing in the entertainment industry, immediately accepted the YouTube team’s proposal.
“So, actor Ryu Yeon-woo will work as a day employee at our company? Of course, we can film. Yes, yes.”
[We’ve informed Ms. Gong Min-jung that it’s simply an interview with Ryu Yeon-woo for his fans. If you could align with that explanation, it would be appreciated.]
“Yes, understood. The filming is on Friday, right?”
[That’s correct, sir.]
After ending the call, Byun Hak-gyu’s smile widened.
“Ha ha, there’s always a way out. Ryu Yeon-woo, who doesn’t even appear on public broadcasting, will be on our YouTube channel. The views are guaranteed, and the promotional effect will be significant. Perfect for subtly promoting the debuting group.”
Yeon-woo learned about CEO Byun Hak-gyu through Jeong Soo-yeon for the first time.
Through further investigation, Yeon-woo discovered that Byun Hak-gyu had connections with ‘Baek Sol,’ making him a person of interest. However, to Byun Hak-gyu, Ryu Yeon-woo was just a trending young celebrity.
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Meanwhile, as the plans progressed, Yeon-woo received updates and expressed interest in the idea of joining a fan’s company as a surprise new employee to fulfill their wish. Upon hearing that the fan worked at ‘Plus Ten Entertainment,’ he quickly called Han Hae-woon.
A silver SUV with its headlights on entered the park entrance where they had previously met. Han Hae-woon parked in a corner of the park’s parking lot and got out.
“Team Leader, I finally completed it.”
Han Hae-woon handed over a device that looked like a USB stick. Yeon-woo nodded as he received it.
“Good job. Did you thoroughly check its performance?”
“Yes, I cross-checked it, and there are no issues.”
Upon learning about the YouTube shoot at Plus Ten Entertainment’s office, Yeon-woo had urgently instructed Han Hae-woon to prepare a hacking tool they had frequently used in their past lives. The plan was to upload the tool to the office server to intercept and copy data transmitted to and from Byun Hak-gyu’s computer.
“It’s quite a coincidence that it’s Plus Ten Entertainment. I was just planning to appear on a YouTube variety show for fan service.”
Han Hae-woon nodded and spoke again.
“The key is understanding the server setup at Plus Ten. If it’s not possible through an employee’s computer, we’ll need to upload it directly in the CEO’s office or the server room.”
“That’s why you’re coming with me.”
This was their first joint operation in their new lives. Compared to the ‘real operations’ they had conducted in their past lives, this wasn’t grand enough to be called an operation. Given Han Hae-woon’s previous life as Baek Yoo-hyun, a top-tier information security officer at the National Intelligence Service, there was no worry about leaving traces or future problems.
However, this required direct infiltration, and the YouTube shoot provided a perfect opportunity for an outsider to enter without suspicion.
“I’ll inform the YouTube team in advance. You’ll enter as a cameraman from LN Entertainment shooting a making film.”
“Understood.”
To the YouTube team, he would be an LN Entertainment representative. To LN Entertainment, he would be a YouTube team staff member. And to Plus Ten, it didn’t matter since he was an outsider anyway. While Yeon-woo drew attention, Han Hae-woon would act as the third man, moving freely within the enemy’s territory.
Time passed, and the day of the YouTube shoot arrived. Gong Min-jung, who used the fan cafe ID ‘YeonwooBabyWooju,’ felt nervous as she looked at the cameras installed on her desk and ceiling. Initially hesitant about the YouTube documentary capturing the daily lives of Ryu Yeon-woo’s fans, she was surprised when her usually terrible company, Plus Ten, actively encouraged the filming.
“Is this how I should do it? Hello, I’m YeonwooBaby… Woo, Wooju. I start my day by checking today’s tasks.”
Saying her ID out loud made her face turn red.
‘I should have chosen a more decent ID!’
At that moment, Manager Kim came down and spoke to her.
“Min-jung, a new employee is joining us today.”
“What? A new employee?”
Hearing the unexpected news, Min-jung tilted her head in confusion.
“So, make sure to rewrite the debut team’s schedule report with the new employee and submit it directly to the CEO.”
“What? But the debut team’s schedule report has already been submitted and approved.”
“Just do as you’re told.”
Manager Kim waved his hand dismissively and walked away, leaving Min-jung with a puzzled expression.
“What kind of nonsense is this? We haven’t posted any job openings recently, so what new employee? And why redo the debut team’s schedule?”
Muttering to herself, Min-jung glanced at the self-cam on her desk and quickly closed her mouth.
‘They’ll edit this out, right?’
While she was lost in her thoughts, the door to the planning office opened, and a young man dressed in neat black slacks and a white shirt, carrying a leather backpack, walked in. However, he was wearing a hat and a mask, making it impossible to see his face.
“Hello! I’m the new employee starting today.”
There were only four people in the planning office. The manager had just left, one person was in the restroom, and only Min-jung and the new employee were present.
Having just heard about the new employee, Min-jung stood up.
“Hello, I’m Gong Min-jung. I’ll show you around.”
Despite the confusion, she was happy to have a junior colleague joining the team.
‘It’s 9:40 AM, so is he late on his first day? And why is he all covered up with a mask and hat?’
Tilting her head, Min-jung looked at the young man in front of her.
“Are you sick? Why are you wearing a mask…?”
She realized she didn’t even know his name since he had only introduced himself as the new employee. At that moment, the young man took off his mask and hat, revealing a bright smile.
“Hello, senior! I’m Ryu Yeon-woo, the new employee for the day.”
Min-jung’s mind went blank for a moment.
“Uh…?”
Staring blankly at the surreal situation, she snapped back to reality when she saw the YouTube team’s cameraman entering behind him. However, her mind needed a moment to reboot, causing her to stutter.
Then, her eyes widened, and she covered her mouth, stepping back in shock.
“Wha… What?!”
Seeing his fan’s adorable reaction, Yeon-woo smiled broadly.
“You’re ‘YeonwooBabyWooju,’ right?”
“Eek! Please don’t say my ID out loud. No, that’s not the problem. Ah! What is happening?”
Meanwhile, Han Hae-woon, holding a camera and pretending to film Yeon-woo, quietly observed the building’s layout and the blind spots of the security cameras.