Chapter 22: "Blue Life and Death Love"
Coming to the lounge, Kim Wanjiong led Choi Jung-won into the inner room, accompanied by Jang Jin-ha, director of KBS's drama broadcasting department.
"Executive Cui, can you let me read the script first"? Zhang Jinhe said eagerly.
KBS's TV drama broadcasting department is a very aggrieved position because it is often compared to MBC. But there is no way, in addition to regular historical dramas, KBS is not good at the production of other types of TV dramas at all. But now, even the historical drama is almost gone. Zhang Jinhe said that he had suffering, and there was no place to vent his frustration.
Now, Choi Jung-won solemnly raised matters related to the cooperation with KBS in TV dramas, and of course he will not think that this is casual talk. Zhang Jinhe desperately wanted to know what kind of excellent script it was that could make Cui Zhengyuan take the initiative to cooperate. You know, it's not as simple as a brokerage company fighting for a role.
In the case of cooperation between the two sides, the distribution of benefits involved is not a trivial issue. Generally, brokerage companies choose to sell the script to the TV station and earn a good fee. Compared with a behemoth like a TV station, the brokerage company will more or less suffer a loss, and it is difficult to fight for more right to speak.
Cui Zhengyuan seems to be young, but it is impossible not to know this. The cooperation between KBS TV and A.P will not change the status of both parties because of the relationship between C.J Group and the Choi family.
After all, a TV series is different from a movie. After the filming of a movie is completed, all the production company needs is to cooperate with the theater chain to distribute it. There are so many theaters, if you don't cooperate with this one, you can choose another one. But TV dramas can only be broadcast on TV, and the three major TV stations in South Korea account for more than 80% of the entire rating. If a TV series is not broadcast in these three stores, it is almost certain that it will hit the streets.
MBC is strong in this area, and there are endless good dramas every year, so there is no need to share benefits with others. SBS is now fully focused on variety shows, and TV dramas are in a secondary position. Since Choi Jung-won values this drama so much, it is impossible to choose SBS. KBS, which is at a disadvantage in this area and is bent on making a breakthrough, is his ideal partner.
Cui Zhengyuan smiled slightly, took out the script of the first 10 episodes of haode prepared in advance, and handed it over, "Minister Zhang, please take a look, I hope it can be in your eyes."
Zhang Jinhe said politely, walked to the side, and went to study the script.
Jin Wanjiong took over the conversation, "I don't know what kind of way Executive Cui wants to cooperate"?
The other party did not play the cards, and Cui Zhengyuan would not show his hole cards stupidly, "The specific cooperation method depends on the conditions of your station." I hope that both of you and I can look at this cooperation from a win-win perspective, so as to create a good start for future cooperation." Cui Zhengyuan did this, which also meant asking for a price all over the land and paying back the money on the spot.
Kim Wanjiong smiled confidently, "With all due respect, KBS, as the largest TV station in South Korea, has rich experience and personnel reserves for the filming and production of TV dramas. Even without your company, we can do it independently. In my opinion, it is better for Executive Cui to sell the script to us. Rest assured, you will be satisfied with the price."
Cui Zhengyuan replied: "This is not necessary. Our company is not determined to do this, otherwise, this script would not have waited until today to come out."
"That's going to be difficult", Jin Wanjiong leaned on the sofa and looked at Cui Zhengyuan with a little reserve, "I thought about it repeatedly, but I didn't think that there was anything that had to be done by your company."
Cui Zhengyuan waited for his words, "That's true, but we, A.P., as an agency, of course have to think more about our artists."
"Oh, that's right. This is nothing, we can arrange a few roles for your company in this play", Cui Zhengyuan's answer did not exceed Jin Wanjiong's expectations. Which entertainment company doesn't strive to seek haode opportunities for its artists and make money by making popular artists.
"I think President Kim misunderstood, what we are asking for is not an ordinary character, but a hero and heroine. In addition, if the supporting roles in our company are suitable, then we must use our company's artists."
Zhang Jinhe, who was next to him, heard Cui Zhengyuan's words and said in surprise: "Hero and heroine? Aren't all singers in your company? In my opinion, this script is completely top-notch. If you build it carefully, it is likely to become a classic among classics. If there is any accident because of the acting skills of the protagonist, isn't it smashing the signboard of our TV station"?
"Don't Minister Zhang know that we have merged a number of entertainment companies. Now A.P has its own top artists in many fields, and I have enough confidence in my artists to play the role of this TV series."
Zhang Jinhe looked at the president and saw that he didn't mean to speak, so he said: "Although there are only the first 10 episodes, you can also see it." This TV series needs three protagonists, I don't know which two are required by Executive Cui"? Both he and Choi Jung-won focused on the situation of the protagonist, as for those supporting roles, to be honest, in the same situation, who is not used.
A.P provided KBS with such a haode script, and KBS deserves something in return. He Zhang Jinhe understands this truth, and believes that Jin Wanjiong does not speak, and he also acquiesces in Cui Zhengyuan's asking price.
But the protagonist is different, this is the soul of a drama. If the acting skills are not up to par, it will seriously affect the quality, and it is likely to ruin such a classic TV series. Zhang Jinhe must be cautious and not fall short.
"It's the two characters of 'Yoon Eun-hee' and 'Kang Tae-seok'. It just so happens that we have two very good actors in our company, and I think it's a perfect fit."
"Yoon Eun-hee" is played by Song Hye Kyo, and Choi Jung-won has signed a formal artist contract with her through her university connections.
"Kang Tae-hee" is played by Won Bin, who was formerly affiliated with StarJ. StarJ was acquired by A.P, and he is now also an artist.
As the president of the TV station, Jin Wanjiong pays more attention to the overall situation, and such specific and professional matters are not his strengths. Therefore, he chose to remain silent and let Zhang Jinhe negotiate with Cui Zhengyuan.
As the head of a department, Zhang Jinhe has great power, and he can make decisions independently. He pondered for a moment and said, "Executive Cui, I believe you can also see that this drama will definitely be popular, so I can't give you an answer to the protagonist's matter now." In this way, after I go back to prepare the crew and determine the director, I can let the two artists of your company come to interview in advance, if it is really suitable, I promise to give priority to the people from your company, what do you think"?
Jang Jin-ha is not a time-traveling person, how could he know that the most suitable people for these two roles are Song Hye Kyo and Won Bin, so he came up with a compromise solution. If you can ensure the quality of the TV series, it is nothing to use the actors of A.P. Company. If it is really not suitable, I believe that A.P will have nothing to say at that time.
Cui Zhengyuan knew that this was the biggest concession he could make, nodded and agreed, and asked, "What about the supporting roles?"
Zhang Jinhe waved his hand nonchalantly, "This problem is not big, I believe that Executive Cui knows it, and when the time comes, let them come and take a look at the director."
"One more thing, I hope to get Minister Zhang's consent"? Cui Zhengyuan took the opportunity to say.
"Executive Cui will talk about it first", Zhang Jinhe said vigilantly. Before he said anything, he didn't dare to say anything.
"It's still about this TV series, and our company wants to have full control to produce all the OSTs in it, and our singers will sing them, and we have the right to use the OST." "Blue Life and Death Love" can be said to be a milestone in the history of Korean dramas, and its influence covers the entire East Asian region. With such an opportunity, Cui Zhengyuan certainly has to take advantage of every place that can be used.
Zhang Jinhe thought about it for a while, A.P Company is a professional musician, and the script is also provided by them. If the OST is produced by them, it will definitely get twice the result with half the effort, so I agreed.
The cooperation on the content of the TV series has been negotiated, and Kim Wanjiong came forward again, "What do you think about the income of this TV series?"
"A.P can't help with the production of the TV series, so we can give up the benefits of advertising and sponsorship. However, we want 50% of the revenue from the TV series."
Jin Wanjiong frowned, and said in a deep voice: "Isn't Executive Cui's request too high?"
Cui Zhengyuan said resolutely: "This request is not much at all. If President Kim and Minister Zhang agree, we will hand over the next three parts to Guitai."
Zhang Jinhe's heart moved, "You mean, there is a follow-up to this TV series"?
"Yes, the "Blue Life and Death Love" series is classified according to the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter, and there are three follow-up parts: "Winter Love Song", "Summer Aroma" and "Spring Waltz". Choi Jung-won took out the bait and didn't believe that KBS didn't take the bait.
Seeing that Jin and Zhang were a little loose, Cui Zhengyuan added fire and said: "I can guarantee that the quality is not bad compared to "Blue Life and Death Love". And for the last three TV series, we don't have special requirements for the characters, except for the OST".
Jin Wanjiong nodded and said with a smile: "I have to admit that Executive Cui is a shrewd person, and your conditions have moved me."
Seeing his attitude, Cui Zhengyuan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, stretched out his hand, and said with a smile: "Happy cooperation."
At this point, A.P has opened up the situation in terms of TV dramas. Song Hye Kyo and Won Bin can definitely soar with this TV series and establish themselves as top Korean actors. Even with the huge cast of A.P Company, it will be displayed in front of the world. In the future, they will rely on their own strength and the platform provided by A.P Company to continuously impact the territory of those traditional actor agencies.
Zhang Jinhe was also very satisfied with the achievement of this cooperation, and assured: "Executive Cui can rest assured that when I select actors in the future, I will definitely treat A.P Company equally."
For his promise without substance, Cui Zhengyuan smiled. On the surface, I want to thank him for his kindness, but in my heart I don't care. Empty promises are worthless in the eyes of businessmen.
The matter is over, and Jin Wanjiong is going back. This is MBC's home stadium and he doesn't want to stay any longer.
Choi Jung-won sent him to the elevator entrance, and after saying goodbye, he turned back.
He also has to go to SBS president Lee Tian-jae to discuss the matter of "Xman".
Compared with "Blue Life and Death Love" and "Xman", Choi Jung-won attaches a little more importance to the latter.
"Blue Life and Death Love" is nothing but two top stars and a huge income for A.P. "Xman" is different, this operation can be stuck in the neck of many entertainment companies in the future, so that they can only look forward to A.P. It has an immeasurable role in expanding the influence of A.P.
Therefore, Cui Zhengyuan took the lead in solving the problem of the TV series, just to go all out to deal with this variety show.