Chapter 191

Chapter 191

The moment the lights onstage came on, the murmuring that had rippled through the auditorium like waves stopped as if cut cleanly with a knife.

From a short distance away, I watched Han Taesung step onto the stage and take the microphone.

Soon, his voice broke through the heavy silence and echoed from the speakers.

“Thank you all for gathering here on such short notice.”

The employees looked visibly tense.

Anxiety, fear, and a faint trace of expectation were mixed in their eyes.

“The reason I called everyone here so suddenly today is because I have several important announcements regarding the future of Hanshin Media.”

Around the auditorium, I could hear people nervously swallowing.

“As many of you already know, Hanshin Media recently sold Mega Cinema to Quantum.”

“And going forward, we also plan to sell two of our cable channels to Hanshin Distribution.”

Sighs and subdued groans escaped from different parts of the auditorium, as though the worst thing they had feared had finally become reality.

But Han Taesung continued without wavering.

“However, no employees will be forced to leave the company because of the channel sale.”

“This decision is not simply a sale.”

“It is closer to a restructuring of businesses within the Hanshin Group.”

“The entire Broadcasting Business Team will be transferred to Hanshin Distribution with one hundred percent employment succession.”

The atmosphere in the auditorium subtly changed.

A faint sense of relief appeared in the eyes of employees who had looked despairing only moments earlier.

“And all of these decisions are part of a necessary process of selection and concentration for Hanshin Media to take the next step toward becoming a global company.”

Han Taesung slowly walked across the stage, meeting the employees’ eyes.

“I want to write a new history for Hanshin Media together with all of you.”

“But for that to happen, we cannot remain trapped in the past.”

“The era of cable television is fading.”

“We have entered an age where anyone can watch the content they want, whenever they want, wherever they want.”

Han Taesung gestured toward the back of the stage.

A large screen descended and lit up.

At its center, bold letters appeared.

[OTT Platform Business: THE NEXT HANSHIN]

“In response to this changing media market, Hanshin Media will now enter the OTT platform business in earnest.”

Once again, murmurs spread through the auditorium.

“OTT platform?”

“So the company wants to run something like Network Flex?”

After watching their reaction, Han Taesung pressed the remote in his hand.

The slide changed.

Logos for various global platforms, including Network Flex and NutView, appeared on the screen.

“Everyone, the global market is already shifting into the OTT era.”

“Global platforms led by Network Flex are rapidly taking control of the market.”

“And I believe Korean content has more than enough competitiveness to succeed globally.”

Han Taesung continued in a voice full of confidence.

Then he pressed the remote again.

This time, Hanshin Media’s new organizational chart appeared on the screen.

“In line with this, Hanshin Media will undergo a large-scale organizational restructuring.”

He explained that the existing Content Business Team would be elevated into the Content Business Division.

Under it, a Visual Content Business Department and an OTT Platform Business Department would be newly established.

“The Visual Content Business Department will oversee drama and film production.”

“And through an independent label system led by Big Picture, we will maximize our production capabilities.”

“The OTT Platform Business Department will be responsible for platform development, content curation, marketing, and technical infrastructure.”

As Han Taesung continued explaining the plan without hesitation, it began to feel as though every detail had already been meticulously prepared.

The anxiety that had weighed down the auditorium was gradually replaced by heated anticipation.

“And finally, in line with this restructuring, I’d like to introduce the new faces who will lead these organizations.”

Kim Eunkyung and I, who had been waiting behind the stage, stepped forward at Han Taesung’s introduction.

Hundreds of eyes filling the auditorium immediately turned toward us.

Curiosity toward unfamiliar outsiders.

Confusion.

Expectation.

All kinds of emotions were mixed in those gazes.

We stepped onto the stage and stood beside Han Taesung.

He raised the microphone again.

“First, let me introduce Executive Director Kim Eunkyung, who will be joining Hanshin Media as Executive Director of the Content Business Division.”

“Until just yesterday, Executive Director Kim was the person who led Big Picture to the top of the industry.”

Kim Eunkyung accepted the microphone and spoke in a calm yet powerful voice.

“Hello. I’m Kim Eunkyung.”

“Until now, I’ve worked at Big Picture with one goal, to create good content.”

“From now on, at Hanshin Media, I want to take on the role of letting the world know the value of what we create.”

“I believe the stories we make can cross borders and move people all around the world.”

“And I want to build that path together with all of you.”

When her restrained greeting ended, applause rose from around the auditorium.

Han Taesung took the microphone back and turned toward me.

“And next, let me introduce Director Min Kibaek, who will lead Hanshin Media’s Content Business Division.”

“At Big Picture, Director Min led the IP Business Division and planned and produced numerous films and dramas, including Kingdom of Crime.”

“He was also one of the key figures behind the successful sale of Mega Cinema.”

I accepted the microphone and slowly looked across the employees filling the auditorium.

“Hello.”

“I’m Min Kibaek.”

My voice echoed heavily through the speakers.

I began by saying that I considered it an honor to become part of Hanshin Media.

It was a conventional greeting.

But it was enough to soften the tension that had tightly gripped the room.

“The OTT platform business will not be an easy challenge.”

“But I believe in the power of Korean content.”

I paused briefly, then continued.

“The platform we’re going to build will not simply be a window for showing content.”

“It will become a bridge that carries Korean culture, Korean stories, and Korean emotions to people around the world.”

“And through that bridge, we will grow into a global media company.”

The moment I finished, applause filled the auditorium.

Han Taesung took the microphone once again and delivered the final declaration.

“Going forward, Hanshin Media will work with multiple labels, including Big Picture, to create the best possible synergy.”

“And that content will be distributed to the entire world through our platform.”

“It is an honor to begin this great journey together with all of you.”

Thunderous cheers erupted through the auditorium.

The heavy, anxious atmosphere from when everyone had first gathered was completely gone.

Now, the room was filled with anticipation and excitement.

After the event ended, we moved to Han Taesung’s office.

“The reaction was better than I expected.”

Han Taesung let out a short sigh of relief.

Kim Eunkyung smiled calmly.

“Director Min was right.”

“People who had been terrified they were about to lose their jobs were given clear employment guarantees and a new vision.”

“No wonder they’re welcoming us now.”

“Director Min said something like that?”

Han Taesung raised his thumb toward me as if to say, Of course.

I smiled lightly.

Then my expression turned serious.

“But the truly important part starts now.”

“The organizational restructuring is only the first button.”

“We still have a mountain of things to get through, from negotiating the channel sale to pushing forward the platform business.”

Their expressions quickly turned serious as well.

Without losing the flow of the conversation, I asked,

“I was actually going to ask about that.”

“When are you planning to begin the detailed negotiations with Hanshin Distribution regarding the channel sale?”

“The Chairwoman already arranged the negotiating table with CEO Goo.”

“Once this organizational restructuring is wrapped up, I’m planning to sit down with him.”

I idly touched the teacup on the table before asking directly,

“Do you think we can get the full fifty billion won?”

“I don’t know.”

“We’ll have to meet first.”

“It’ll probably depend on how strongly the Chairwoman leaned on CEO Goo.”

I nodded and turned toward Kim Eunkyung.

“Either way, Executive Director Kim, please focus on helping the employees adapt to the restructuring as quickly as possible.”

“In the meantime, I’ll go back to Big Picture and finish preparing the Network Flex contract.”

Kim Eunkyung nodded.

Then she seemed to remember something.

“Oh, right.”

“Executive Director Baek contacted me this morning.”

“He said the team structure is finished.”

“That’s good.”

“We had plenty to discuss internally before meeting Network Flex anyway.”

Kim Eunkyung hesitated for a moment before asking,

“Have you heard exactly when the Network Flex team will be entering Korea?”

“Not yet.”

“But given the way they operate, they probably won’t drag it out.”

“I expect we’ll hear something within next week.”

Time passed quickly.

Hanshin Media became a battlefield.

After news of the organizational restructuring spread, every department moved like a ship thrown into the middle of a storm.

Paperwork related to the cable channel sale.

Personnel reassignment caused by the dissolution of the Broadcasting Business Team.

And redistribution of responsibilities according to the new organizational structure.

Every day moved at a breathless pace.

At the center of that whirlwind, I steadily continued preparing for the Network Flex agreement.

“The exclusive streaming period will probably be the biggest issue in this negotiation.”

Ju Hanyoung, who had taken charge of the dedicated negotiation team, looked worriedly at what was written on the whiteboard.

Just then, another employee raised a hand.

It was Kim Hansol, a new hire who had joined around this time last year.

“Director, I have a question.”

“I heard Network Flex usually prefers producing content in-house.”

“Have they ever worked on a large-scale collaboration with an outside production company like ours?”

“In its early days, Network Flex mostly purchased external content licenses.”

“But recently, they’ve been increasing the proportion of their own productions.”

I lowered the laser pointer and looked directly at Kim Hansol.

“But Korean content is a little different.”

“Network Flex entered the Korean market without fully understanding it yet.”

“That means cooperation with a local partner is essential.”

Another employee, Seo Jisook, immediately brightened.

“Then does that mean we can secure an advantageous position in the negotiations?”

“Possibly.”

“But we can’t push too hard.”

“This negotiation isn’t about securing a single project.”

“It’s about building a long-term partnership.”

Just then, the phone on the table began to vibrate.

I checked the caller.

Jessica, the Network Flex representative in charge of Korea.

Did they finally decide on the date they’re coming to Korea?

It was the call I had been waiting for.

I quickly answered.