Chapter 168
After meeting with Jinyoung, Hyunwoo left the broadcasting company.
His face was full of excitement and thrill, and the students were full of envy and jealousy for Jinhon.
Looking at them, Hyunwoo said, “Don’t be impatient, guys. Opportunity will come along to you. If you seize it, you will be a star like Jinhon, and if you don’t, you will be forgotten, so work very hard. If you don’t, you won’t have the power to seize the opportunity.”
Jinhon scratched his head with an embarrassed look.
Looking at him curiously Hynwoo asked, “Do you have anything to say?”
“Well, as for the music video…”
The moment Hyunwoo heard that he opened his eyes wide all of a sudden. He already knew what they wanted to discuss with him.
Jinhon continued, “Can you make another music video with these guys singing and dancing? They really love music and they are very close to me, too.”
Hyunwoo had a somber look on his face.
Of course, it was not that difficult to make one more music video, but he could not accept it because he could not be sure that this would not be their last request.
Besides, he was short-handed now. He had to focus on the animation production of Tuti and Angelica, and the first animation production of an updated Garbage World.
“I can’t accept your request,” said Hyunwoo resolutely.
“Please!”
Hyunwoo let out a sigh. He could not help but accept it when they didn’t bugged him like that.
He asked Jinhon in a calm voice, “How many are there in your school now?”
“About 70, all told.”
“What if the other students come to me for the same request like yours?”
“You can’t give all of them such benefits, of course, but these are my closest friends.”
Hyunwoo shook his head and said, “I have to disagree. It’s not fair if some get the benefits because they are close to somebody, and others don’t because they are not.”
Jinhon thought Hyunwoo was very close to him, so he felt Hyunwoo would easily okay his request.
But Hyunwoo didn’t want to discriminate against other students at the alternative school. Jinhon seemed disappointed.
However, it was Hyunwoo who was disappointed in Jinhon. Jinhon personally watched the difficult process of how his music video was created and came to light finally. How could Jinhon make such a request simply because they were his close friends?
“The reason I made a music video for you is not that you’re close to me, but because of your music was worth it.”
“Well, I am not asking you a favor just because they’re my close friends. Actually, they really sing and dance very well.”
“That’s your standard, and it’s not objective,” said Hyunwoo coldly.
Jinhon said he felt sorry for his friends, but they comforted him by patting him on the shoulder.
Looking at them, Hyunwoo felt sorry, too.
Suddenly, he hit upon a good idea.
“I think I have a good idea.”
“What is it? Please let us know.”
“Just prove that your musical talent is worth a music video.”
“Prove it?”
“For example, you can get recognition from your principal. I think you had better have a music contest. If you win, I can make a music video for you.”
They just scratched their heads at his suggestion.
“What’s wrong with your expressions? Are you not confident? You guys told me you’re the best in your school, right?”
“No, sir. We’re confident!”
“Okay, then. Let me come to your school sooner or later. Oh, let me visit your school tomorrow and talk to your principal. Got it?”
“Yes, sir!”
As he promised, Hyunwoo went to the alternative school the next day to see the principal. Jinhun and Kyungsu accompanied him. Kyungsu seemed a bit disgruntled, though.
“Brother Kyungsu, what’s the matter with you?”
Kyungsu just shook his head, but when Hyunwoo demanded, he reluctantly said,
“I’m afraid you’re involved in too many things right now.”
Hyunwoo instantly figured out what his complaint was. In fact, other staff had similar complaints. They were worried about the growing expenses when there was no solid income source.
Kyungsu continued, “It’s commendable that you make a music video for the students. But what I want is you to first establish the existing company on a firm footing.”
Actually, Kyungsu rightly pointed out the problem, but Hyunwoo looked at it differently.
“Brother, did you forget why I founded Ani & Funny?”
“That’s because…” Kyungsu murmured. Come to think of it, Hyunwoo founded it not to make money but to give those less fortunate students the opportunity to learn at his own expense. And that was and is his original intention.
Hyunwoo continued, “Of course I don’t want to make unreasonable investments. Just to the point I can accept it. So, you don’t have to worry about the possible risk to Ani & Funny.”
“Well, given the choice, you should make some money, Hyunwoo.”
“Why not? But the money will come along when things work out smoothly.”
Kyungsu didn’t respond as if he wanted to stop arguing at that point.
Hyunwoo, too, closed his lips with a smile.
When they arrived at the school, an old man with gray hair was waiting at the main gate.
The principal’s name was Daewon Kim, quite a famous man. Most of the popular hits ten years ago were composed by him, earning him the nickname ‘The Manufacturer of Hits.’
Hyunwoo bowed to him deeply as Daewon was 20 years older than him.
“How do you do, sir? My name is Hyunwoo Jang.”
“Oh, I heard a lot about you from Jinhon and Angela. I also heard you decided to support the production of a music video for our children here. Thanks so much,” said Daewon.
He showed them into his office, greeting them with hot tea.
Hyunwoo cautiously brought up the main topic. Namely, he said he was willing to make a couple of music videos for the best students chosen through a contest.
Hyunwoo expected he would give a green light easily, but he didn’t.
“I understand why you want to start this, but that’s not that simple. We have never graded anybody by participating in such a contest,” said Daewon.
That was not the only problem, though.
He continued, “As you know, there are various genres of music. And it is difficult to rank them even in each genre. Hearing your explanation, Mr. Jang, you want me to choose the best student after evaluating all the contestants in every genre. It’s beyond my ability.”
Hyunwoo nodded his head. It should be a tough challenge.
“Is there any better idea?”
“Let me think it over a little more with the teachers here.”
Then, he called them to his office. Except for those in the classrooms, there were four teachers gathered.
When they entered the office, Hyunwoo’s eyes opened wide instantly because one of them was far from a teacher.
Who is that female teacher?
With fair skin and stunning beauty, she really stood out. She was wearing big glasses that didn’t fit her, but it looked like she put on them as an accessory.
He introduced them one by one to Hyunwoo, and she also gently smiled at him with her eyes.
“My name is Soyun Han.”
At that moment, Hyunwoo felt his heart sank.
Her smile was more stimulating than her beauty. And he felt as if he was possessed by the smile in her eyes.
Hyunwoo felt his heart pounded in spite of himself whenever his eyes met hers.
After a brief exchange of greetings, she sat down with a blank look.
Daewon took the initiative on the discussion of the music contest. They concluded that as the purpose of the contest was clear, there was nothing to fear as far as grading the contestants was concerned.
In particular, Soyun fully supported the idea of holding a music contest.
Nodding his head, Daewon said, “All agreed with the idea of a music contest. Now, the real issue here is how to hold the contest. As you know, there are many genres of music. How can we judge the contestants”
“I guess popular voting is the best way regardless of the genre. And the voting college is made up of all the students here.”
“I think we had better divide the contests into a preliminary and main contest. The teachers will sort out those contestants who can pass the preliminary contest and then have the students vote on them.”
Soyun also presented her opinion. When she was silent, she had an absent expression, but when she had something to say, she actively spoke out with that captivating smile in her eyes.
On such occasions, Hyunwoo naturally cast a glance at her before he knew.
Suddenly, he felt she was familiar to him. Certainly, he saw her face before somewhere.
And now his eyes popped out when he realized who she was. As a stunning beauty that put even Miss Korea in the shade, she was once a top actress who excited people with her sexy dance, but when the scandals involving her sex video and her affair with the president of her entertainment company broke out at the same time, she disappeared from the entertainment world.
Actually, Jinyoung Paek mentioned her tragic fate while he was talking about something related to Nami.
In the meantime, Daewon finally made the decision and wrapped up the meeting.
“Okay. We have decided to accept the song entries first and then select them in the preliminary and main contests.”
Then, he cautiously asked Soyun, “By the way, are you Yuni, a member of Hey Girls by any chance?”