Return of the Genius PD

-“In the end, a director is just one of the chess pieces that moves when we set up the board.”

Those were his words when I left the production team for the strategic planning team in my past life.

Shin Young-jin, Head of Strategic Planning. 

A strategist who was a founding member of the channel and grew JTVN from a mere tier 3 broadcaster into a station known by all. 

The very person who called for my transfer to the strategic planning team and became my mentor. 

Now, a chilling smile played on his lips.

“I’m just kidding, PD Do Ji-won. I was feeling a bit hurt, so I made a little joke.”

To most, it would probably look like an amiable smile.

“I’m curious—what was it about the strategic planning team that you didn’t like? Can you tell me?”

But to Ji-won, who had been by his side for over a decade, it felt nothing but chilling.

‘I’ve seen countless people disappear after letting their guard down because of that smile.’

Ji-won quickly composed his expression. 

There was no need to worsen the situation, so he put on a similar smile—the very one he had learned from Director Shin Young-jin.

“Dislike? Isn’t the strategic planning team a department every JTVN employee wants to join?”

A glint appeared in his eyes.

“Wasn’t the Do Ji-won in front of me thinking a bit differently?”

“I just thought the position was still beyond me. I believe I need more field experience.”

“Is that so?”

His gaze constantly scanned Ji-won. He was probably trying to discern the intent behind his words. His stare was so intense it made Ji-won’s face burn.

‘This brings back memories.’

Director Shin Young-jin… He wasn’t the type to be kind to his chosen subordinates. 

Perhaps because of that, Ji-won spent no small amount of time living with frayed nerves due to his mentoring, which always seemed to back him into a corner—or rather, push him to the brink.

Ironically enough, was it because Ji-won was the only one who survived under him?

One day, Ji-won realized that everything happening in the industry was unfolding within his expectations. 

In fact, his ability to rise to the position of department head in record time might have been due to what he learned from Shin.

Maybe that’s why Ji-won’s feelings towards Director Shin Young-jin remained complicated even now, after his regression. Sometimes he hated him like an enemy for using him like a tool.

And sometimes…

It’s also true that thanks to him, Ji-won was able to develop his skills.

“You seem lost in thought. As if there’s something I don’t know.”

His words pulled Ji-won back from his reverie.

“I unintentionally declined your offer, so I feel apologetic.”

A pleased smile spread across Shin Young-jin’s face.

“Don’t worry about it. When I received the call from Advisor Choi Jae-cheon, I had already come to terms with my feelings about PD Do Ji-won.”

It was a statement that could be interpreted in various ways depending on how you looked at it. It could mean he had let go of any lingering attachment… or conversely, that he had completely erased any goodwill towards Ji-won.

“By the way.”

Director Shin Young-jin’s eyes scanned Ji-won again.

“I’d like to know how you managed to persuade Advisor Choi. I was quite surprised when I got the call.”

“That’s…”

Ji-won’s words didn’t come easily. He had to be cautious with his answer since he hadn’t yet grasped Director Shin Young-jin’s intentions.

Just then,

-Ding!-.

The elevator doors opened on the 5th floor, where the production team was located. 

A warm smile once again appeared on Director Shin Young-jin’s face.

“We’ll save that answer for next time. It was good to see you, PD Do Ji-won.”

Ji-won could feel his gaze lingering until the last moment before the doors closed.

“…”

Ji-won stood there for a long time even after the elevator had left. Then he finally started walking toward the editing room.

“Sigh… This is why I’ve been trying to avoid running into him…”

Complex emotions welled up within him. Seeing Shin’s young appearance after so long was both pleasant and frustrating.

Shaking his head as if to clear his thoughts, he headed to the editing room. The first episode’s editing wasn’t finished yet. 

Right now, Eccentric Doctor Ham In-ju’s first episode was more important than Director Shin Young-jin… Ji-won refocused his mind and opened the door to the editing room.

* * *

8th floor lounge of the company building. 

They were about to hold an internal preview for the first episode of Eccentric Doctor Ham In-ju. 

The Production Team 3 Leader, who had just arrived, looked around at the employees densely packed in the lounge.

“Wow… why are so many people gathered for an internal preview?”

Deputy Director Kim Dae-young, who was next to him playing a game on his phone, muttered, “It’s the Kim Seung-yeon effect, what else?”

“You mean the ill-fated rivalry that started with the contest and now extends to viewership ratings?”

His brow furrowed slightly, suggesting his game wasn’t going well.

“You know it well. In a moment, we’ll be able to see one of the two hands… Don’t you want to predict the outcome in advance?”

At those words, the Production Team 3 Leader scanned the lounge again.

“I suppose…”

Just then, he spotted Ji-won in the distance and jumped up, waving his hand.

“Ji-won! Over here! I’m here!”

Kim Dae-young frowned and chided the Team 3 Leader, “What are you, long-lost family? Stop it; you’re embarrassing.”

As Ji-won approached, calling out “Team Leader!”, the Team 3 Leader responded by shouting “Ji-won!” and spreading his arms.

Behind the two of them, the murmuring in the lounge grew dramatically louder.

“No way…”

“Is he coming to watch the preview?”

“The atmosphere is turning strange…”

As a group entered the lounge, the employees parted like the Red Sea. At the forefront was a man in his early 40s with a confident stride, flanked by executives on both sides.

JTVN President Jeon Nam-hoe.

There are various ways to describe him: a member of the TK Group’s owner family, a third-generation chaebol, the chairman’s youngest son, and so on.

Not only that, he had the unique background of having completed both Harvard Business School and New York’s SVA (School of Visual Arts).

After graduating, he founded an advertising company in New York. 

Then, after becoming the first Korean to sweep the world’s top three advertising awards, he suddenly announced his return to the group.

The prodigal son of the chaebol family returns.

It was a time when public attention was focused on the succession battle involving the youngest son. 

Jeon Nam-hoe zeroed in on the channel division of TK Group’s media business and took up the position of JTVN President.

Later, his thoughts were revealed through a journalist’s question at a forum.

Q: There are larger production companies within the group, but why did you specifically choose the broadcasting division?

A: Movie production companies? Of course, film is the highest form of comprehensive art. To be honest, I prefer movies to dramas. However, in terms of impact, I believe dramas are superior, no matter what anyone says. In our country, a drama with 30% viewership is talked about more than a movie seen by 10 million people. I want to take on the challenge in the place that’s most closely connected to the public.

With his unique decisiveness and ideas, he achieved meaningful growth every year for the five years since his appointment. 

Subsequently, he also proved his qualities as a ‘leader’ by showing charisma that completely dominated the company. He is now the undisputed head of JTVN.

President Jeon Nam-hoe, who had taken his seat, opened his mouth with an indifferent gaze.

“Has Director Shin ever brought up the preview before? I don’t recall it happening.”

Director Shin Young-jin, who was on his right, answered with a faint smile.

“As it happens, we had some free time in the middle of the meeting.”

“You didn’t purposely schedule the preview for that time, did you?”

President Jeon Nam-hoe smiled meaningfully as he crossed his legs and adjusted his posture.

“If it’s not interesting, I’ll leave.”

At those words, the audience fell silent.

An internal preview is held when an in-house drama is launched. However, President Jeon Nam-hoe rarely attends these previews. 

Moreover, he has only stayed until the end twice—in his five-year tenure.

The first was for the drama that elevated JTVN to its current tier 1 broadcaster status.

The second was for the drama that achieved JTVN’s highest viewership rating of 24%.

However, if that were all, the preview room wouldn’t be this suffocating.

It was because of President Jeon Nam-hoe’s drastically polarized reactions. 

Except for those two cases, he always left his seat after just 10 minutes of the first episode, as if there was nothing more worth seeing.

Then, were all of JTVN’s dramas, except those two, a mess?

Of course not. Many of them achieved good results, at least moderate hits. They just weren’t good enough to satisfy President Jeon Nam-hoe’s standards.

President Jeon Nam-hoe was notorious for being a picky content enthusiast and advertising strategy expert with a keen eye for content.

Therefore, now that President Jeon Nam-hoe had appeared at the preview, all attention was focused on the binary choice he would make in a moment:

Either stay until the end.

Or leave without hesitation after 10 minutes.

Which choice would Eccentric Doctor Ham In-ju receive from President Jeon Nam-hoe?

Finally, the lights went out, and the preview began. In the darkened lounge, occasional phone lights could be seen. 

They were probably checking the time, wondering when President Jeon Nam-hoe would stand up.

After 10 minutes, sighs of relief could be heard from various corners of the lounge.

Around the 20-minute mark, a strange atmosphere permeated the lounge. They had entered an uncommon situation. 

By now, the issue should have shifted to whether President Jeon Nam-hoe would stay until the end or not. However, that interest didn’t last long.

From about 30 minutes in, everyone couldn’t take their eyes off the screen.

Finally, after the credits for the first episode of Eccentric Doctor Ham In-ju rolled, silence fell over the illuminated lounge. 

Everyone inside was waiting for one person’s reaction. President Jeon Nam-hoe seemed lost in thought, tapping the armrest of his seat.

-Tok, tok… tok tok tok—.

The friction sound echoed through the lounge, matching his peculiar rhythm. At last, President Jeon Nam-hoe opened his mouth.

“Not bad.”

With just those words, President Jeon Nam-hoe stood up. The surrounding executives hurriedly stood up with him.

“I enjoyed watching. Good work, everyone.”

Then, as he was walking away without lingering, he suddenly stopped with an “Ah.”

“By the way,” he said quietly, glancing behind him.

“How much is the marketing budget for this project?”

The Director of Management Planning, standing on the left, answered, “It’s similar to previous years.”

“Hmm.”

President Jeon Nam-hoe responded briefly.

“It seems a bit low, doesn’t it?”

At those words, the Management Planning Director’s head dropped low.

“I’ll review and submit a new report.”

As President Jeon Nam-hoe started walking again, the executives followed behind him like shadows, leaving the lounge.