Chapter 571: One Sip Milk (1)

At the set of

Hwaranjeon

, an ad offer had come from One Sip Milk, the second-largest dairy company.

Although Han Woo-Hyuk currently had no advertising deals, I couldn't let him accept an ad for One Sip Milk. After all, there was a serious issue with this ad.

[Everyday V12.2]

[Date: February 14, 2021]

-10:00 p.m. One Sip Strong Milk—illegal false advertising. Sales canceled. (Report: Ad model Han Sang-Hee. Inevitable image damage.)

One Sip Strong Milk was a new product released late last year, promoted as a functional milk that supposedly cured osteoporosis just by drinking it. Initially, sales were sluggish. But once Han Sang-Hee became the model, sales skyrocketed.

However, a civic group soon revealed that all the advertising claims were false, and a sales ban was issued. As a result, Han Sang-Hee suffered serious damage to her image.

Since that incident was still noted in my planner, I had no choice but to refuse Yoo Moon-Ho's offer.

"I'm sorry."

Yoo Moon-Ho frowned and glared at me. "You turned down our offer for Miss Yoo-Jin last time too. Are you going to pull the same stunt again?"

When I didn't respond, Yoo Moon-Ho raised his voice in irritation.

"Listen, Chief Jung. Don't play hard to get. Just name your price. Honestly, we couldn't afford Miss Yoo-Jin, but Mr. Woo-Hyuk's just having a comeback. Do you seriously think One Sip Milk can't afford him? Huh?"

Yoo Moon-Ho clearly liked Han Woo-Hyuk's performance and wasn't backing down easily.

I desperately wanted to shout, 'Just go away! Please!' But since I couldn't do that, I pulled out my trump card.

"Actually, Mr. Woo-Hyuk only drinks Fresh Milk. I'm sorry."

I mentioned Fresh Milk, a rival company that fiercely competed with One Sip Milk for market share.

Yoo Moon-Ho's face immediately twisted in disgust. "Fresh... Milk?"

"Yes. It wouldn't be ethical for him to endorse a different brand while drinking another company's milk. Strange rumors might even start.

Oh,

of course, I personally drink only low-fat milk from One Sip Milk. When it comes to milk~ It's gotta be~ One Sip~"

Even I knew such an excuse was ridiculous. Still, I had to try something. So I sang the catchy commercial song: 'When it comes to milk, it's gotta be One Sip!'

However, Yoo Moon-Ho, already thoroughly offended, sneered and said, "Ethics, my foot. If you don't want to do it, just say so!"

He snorted and turned his head sharply. Because he had suddenly tried to switch models, Ma Dong-Pal wore a grimace.

Yet, Yoo Moon-Ho, in typical blame-shifting fashion, snapped. "Director Ma, what's with that face? Are you trying to protest because you're upset? Huh?"

Instantly, Ma Dong-Pal wiped the frown off his face. Despite his bulky build, he clasped his hands together awkwardly. After all, the other man was from the second-largest dairy company.

"

Haha

. Of course not. I was just thinking about some company matters. It was a misunderstanding."

Yoo Moon-Ho cleared his throat and said, "

Ahem

~ So about Han Sang-Hee... Are you still willing to do the ad?"

Ma Dong-Pal forced a smile and answered, "Of course!"

"Alright. I'll be at Cafe M. Come see me when you're done wrapping up here. Let's work out the conditions."

"Y-Yes, thank you, sir."

Yoo Moon-Ho muttered and headed toward the parking lot. Ma Dong-Pal bowed low while watching him walk away. I also bowed my head politely to see him off.

After the greetings ended, Ma Dong-Pal lifted his head and growled a warning at me. "Hey, Chief Jung. If you blab about what happened today, you're dead. Got it?"

"I understand."

He meant that it must never leak that an actor who had once left the industry had refused an ad offer, forcing Han Sang-Hee, whose value was currently soaring, to accept it almost like begging.

I had no intention of saying anything, but there was something else that weighed on my mind. If Han Sang-Hee accepted the ad, she would almost certainly get caught up in a scandal soon. If that happened, it might affect the viewership ratings of

Hwaranjeon

.

Since I didn't want anything to impact the drama starring Yoo-Jin, I firmly shut my eyes and offered some advice. "Mr. Ma, you might want to reconsider accepting that ad."

Ma Dong-Pal looked at me with a dumbfounded face. "Hey, Jung Yoon-Ho. What's your game now?"

I tried to subtly hint at the future I knew, using the SBC production team's name as cover. "It's not a trick... I just heard some bad rumors about One Sip Milk recently. An assistant director from an investigative program mentioned that the product's ads are seriously exaggerated."

However, Ma Dong-Pal cut me off before I could even finish. "You might've heard something, but big companies exaggerating ads isn't new, is it? If we get picky about that, we won't get any ads at all. Geez, and here I thought you had something serious."

Ma Dong-Pal waved me off and headed toward Han Sang-Hee, who had finished her acting.

'

So this is what they mean when they say you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink

'

Maybe there would be some impact on the viewership ratings, but I would find a way to compensate for it.

Just then, Han Woo-Hyuk and Yoo-Jin approached.

'

Right. As long as I have these two, the viewership ratings won't fall. They'll rather rise.

'

Even if Han Sang-Hee caused trouble, my actors' efforts would surely overcome it.

As Han Woo-Hyuk drew near, I noticed beads of sweat forming on his forehead. And from his trembling legs, it was clear that the massage's effects were wearing off.

"How are you feeling?" I asked.

Han Woo-Hyuk sighed. "I tried so hard not to get overshadowed by Miss Yoo-Jin... I have no strength left."

Yoo-Jin shook her hands wildly in denial. "No way! I was the one who was so nervous because of you, Woo-Hyuk sunbae."

The two exchanged compliments about each other's performances.

I stopped their endless praise and congratulated them instead. "Both of you did a great job. Now, Mr. Woo-Hyuk, let's head to the hospital. At this rate, you'll collapse any minute."

"Yes. I think that's a good idea."

With his stamina completely depleted, I was planning to take Han Woo-Hyuk to the hospital for an IV drip and some rest.

At that moment, Oh Bok-Hee grabbed the megaphone and shouted, "

Hwaranjeon

Episode 2 is starting now!"

It must have just turned 10 p.m. Yesterday,

Hwaranjeon

's Episode 1 had a first-minute rating of 17.3%, finishing at 19.8%.

Everyone quietly listened, curious to see today's numbers. In the silent night with only the sound of the wind through the bamboo grove, a crisp notification sound rang out from Oh Bok-Hee's phone.

Ding!

Everyone swallowed nervously and looked at Oh Bok-Hee.

After checking her message, Oh Bok-Hee shouted energetically, "The first-minute viewership ratings for Episode 2 is 18.1%!"

Immediately, the staff and actors erupted into cheers.

"Really?"

"Our hard work paid off!"

"Wow~ This might turn out to be a record-breaking drama!"

Though there had been a temporary viewership ratings spike yesterday due to the clash with KBC, it seemed to be continuing today.

And currently, it was the child actors and supporting cast leading Episode 2. Considering that viewership ratings usually jumped when adult actors took over, starting this strong was remarkable.

At that moment, Assistant Camera Director Park Joong-Seo asked, "Mrs. Oh, how did

Queen Jeong-Hee

do?"

"They opened at 14.5%."

"Huh... They're hanging in there. It's not easy to pull that off right now..."

Even amid KBC's turmoil from the change in leadership,

Queen Jeong-Hee

was holding its ground.

When Park Joong-Seo said we shouldn't let our guards down, Oh Bok-Hee grinned confidently. "Just wait. Once today's footage airs, the gap will widen!"

Oh Bok-Hee was certain that once Han Woo-Hyuk's portrayal of BiHyungRang was broadcast, there would be a huge reaction.

Park Jung-Seo grinned. "Well~ if the footage we captured today makes it to air, we can definitely look forward to it."

When Park Joong-Seo nodded, the staff chimed in with laughter and encouragement.

"Of course! Once our BiHyungRang and Princess Yu-Hwa show up, it's game over."

"Mr. Han Woo-Hyuk! Please keep up the amazing work like today!"

"We'll make sure every shot we capture is legendary, so hang in there!"

"Miss Yoo-Jin, we're counting on you too!"

Three years ago, Han Woo-Hyuk had never received such heartfelt recognition from the staff even during his hottest rookie days.

Now, overwhelmed with emotion, Han Woo-Hyuk trembled. "Thank you. I will become an even harder-working actor!"

As Han Woo-Hyuk bowed deeply in gratitude, a round of applause echoed once again through the set, celebrating his passionate performance.

***

While leading Han Sang-Hee to the parking lot, Ma Dong-Pal fell into deep thought.

'

Jung Yoon-Ho... What if what that fortune teller said is true?

'

Jung Yoon-Ho was stubborn to the bone and a pain who seemed to hinder everything, but when it came to pushing things through like a bulldozer or throwing himself in for his actors, no one could match him.

Even when One Sip Milk, a top-tier company, offered the best conditions, he refused with a lame excuse. If that was the case, there was a real chance the information about One Sip Milk having issues could be true.

Still, even if it was true, he couldn't just recklessly cancel the ad. Han Sang-Hee, who had recently grown cocky from her successful soju commercials, would certainly protest fiercely if the ad was canceled without solid proof.

He was about to decide to monitor the situation for a while when they reached the parking lot.

Ma Dong-Pal opened the van door for Han Sang-Hee and said, "Sang-Hee, hop in."

But instead of getting in, Han Sang-Hee shrieked. "Mr. Ma! I'm supposed to be a lead actress, right? Then why am I being treated like this?"

Ma Dong-Pal's forehead creased. "Hey! I told you not to shout in my ear!"

Though Ma Dong-Pal scolded her, Han Sang-Hee pouted her lips in complaint. Once her frustration started, it didn't stop.

"Is that really what's important now? Didn't you see the staff only fawning over Hoop Entertainment's actors today? Are we seriously going to just let this happen? Our company should come up with a countermeasure too!"

Han Sang-Hee had aimed to grab everyone's attention by taking the role of Princess Jeong-Hwa. It was understandable for Jung Yoo-Jin to draw focus as the lead, but she had never imagined she would be overshadowed by Han Woo-Hyuk as well.

Nervous that her screen time might even get cut compared to Han Woo-Hyuk, Han Sang-Hee's nerves were on edge.

Though the difference came down to their acting skills, Ma Dong-Pal didn't bring that up. Instead, he tried to soothe her with something else.

"Hey. You think we didn't prepare anything for you? We've lined up eight interviews for this weekend, plus you'll start a new variety show. Trust me. Fame is all about exposure!"

The moment Han Sang-Hee heard that TK Entertainment was taking care of her, she wiped the annoyance off her face. In no time, she smiled brightly.

"Aww~ You should've told me earlier you were working on it~ I always have to throw a tantrum before you do anything, huh?"

"Come on. I was gonna take care of it at the right time. Just trust me and follow my lead!"

Han Sang-Hee clasped her hands together playfully. "Yes sir~"

"Oh, by the way. Mr. Yoo from One Sip Milk came looking for you, saying they want you for their new ad. You're going, right?"

Han Sang-Hee nodded. "Of course! After God, advertisers are the most important people. But I can't drink tonight since the shoot starts tomorrow morning."

"Don't worry. I'll do the drinking for you."

Thinking about having to handle Yoo Moon-Ho, who could drink anyone under the table, made Ma Dong-Pal sigh deeply.

Unaware, Han Sang-Hee, now in high spirits, cheerfully got into the car.

As Ma Dong-Pal closed the sliding door and was about to get into the driver's seat, he stopped. Then he stepped aside from the car to call President Kim Tae-Kwon. He figured that with Kim Tae-Kwon's sharp instincts, he would sense something about what Jung Yoon-Ho had warned him about.

"Mr. Kim, it's Dong-Pal."

-Yeah, what's up?

"Actually, about the One Sip Milk ad... They've offered it to Han Sang-Hee, but there's something bothering me."

-What happened?

Calmly, Ma Dong-Pal relayed what Jung Yoon-Ho had told him.

"...That's how it is."

-So Jung Yoon-Ho said that?

"Yes."

-Did you already tell Sang-Hee the contract was finalized?

"I only told her she was selected as the model, but not that the contract was finalized."

-Okay. I'll look into it separately. For now, just play nice with Director Yoo tonight.

"And about the contract...?"

-Just delay it for about a week. You can blame it on me.

"Understood."

-Oh, and while you're at it, lightly provoke Director Yoo.

"Provoke him?"

-With his temper, just a little push and he'll want revenge for getting humiliated by Jung Yoon-Ho.

"So you want me to pin everything on Jung Yoon-Ho."

-Exactly. We need to cut him down a bit.

After Ace Entertainment split, TK Entertainment had become number one by default. Kim Tae-Kwon now considered Hoop Entertainment, rapidly growing in size, as their fiercest competitor. Since a chance to suppress Hoop Entertainment's ace, Jung Yoon-Ho, had finally appeared, he had no choice but to act.

-Be careful, Dong-Pal. Jung Yoon-Ho isn't the guy you used to know. He's the one who ousted the KBC's president too, so never lay a hand on him directly. Got it?

"I understand. I'll stir up Director Yoo just enough for him to act on his own."

-Good. You're doing great.

Jung Yoon-Ho had grown so powerful that even TK Entertainment found it difficult to confront him directly.

***

The day after his intense performance as BiHyungRang, Han Woo-Hyuk had to get an IV drip and rest, and could only return to filming by the afternoon

Meanwhile,

Hwaranjeon

's Episode 2 had surpassed a peak viewership ratings of 20.1%. For this reason, today's atmosphere on set was electrifying.

Moreover, it seemed Han Woo-Hyuk had found his rhythm during yesterday's performance and he was exchanging lines seamlessly with Yoo-Jin, delivering another strong performance today. Thanks to that, the filming of BiHyungRang's scenes was progressing faster than expected.

"Cut! Okay~ Let's take a short break."

"Okay."

Breathing heavily, Han Woo-Hyuk approached me. "Mr. Jung...

Huff

... Could you give me another massage today?"

"Of course. Let's head to the tent."

Buzz.

Just then, the phone I was holding for Han Woo-Hyuk vibrated.

[Caller ID: Mother]

I immediately handed the phone to him. "Mr. Woo-Hyuk, it's your mother."

"

Ah

, thank you."

Han Woo-Hyuk answered the call and spoke with his mother.

"What? The sleazy manager from the One Sip Milk authorized dealer came to the house carrying milk and all sorts of dairy products?"

The moment Han Woo-Hyuk mentioned One Sip Milk, a chill ran down my spine. Just yesterday, I had refused Yoo Moon-Ho's ad offer and he was known to hold grudges.

𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

I asked Han Woo-Hyuk about what was happening during the call.

With a grim expression, Han Woo-Hyuk began explaining the details. "

Ah

, well..."

As expected, something outrageous was unfolding, just as I feared.