Chapter 194
A few days later.
Inside the main conference room at Big Picture headquarters.
CEO Song Jaehyun opened the contract on the table.
Reid Hayes’s signature was already written in the space for the other party.
Holding a fountain pen, Song Jaehyun paused and looked around.
He saw the faces of everyone from both sides who had struggled to make this deal happen.
As though thanking them for all their hard work, he met each person’s eyes one by one.
Finally, his gaze met mine.
I gave him a quiet nod.
Song Jaehyun lifted the fountain pen and signed the empty signature line.
The moment he finished, applause broke out from everyone gathered in the room.
“Well then, does this mean the historic partnership between Big Picture and Network Flex has officially begun? Hahaha.”
Tyler, Director of Network Flex’s Asia Division, smiled broadly and extended his hand toward Song Jaehyun.
“I look forward to a great partnership.”
Song Jaehyun smiled and shook Tyler’s hand.
Once the signing ceremony ended, we held a small celebratory reception.
The atmosphere was warm and cheerful.
“September isn’t that far away anymore.”
Tyler, who happened to be a fan of Song Jaehyun, kept showing interest in the director’s next project.
“I’m really looking forward to your next film.”
“To be honest, I’m even more excited about Network Flex’s first Korean original that Big Picture is going to make than I am about my own next film. Hahaha.”
“I’m curious too.”
Tyler laughed.
“I wonder what Director Min is preparing as Network Flex’s first Korean original.”
“If that’s what you’re curious about, you can look forward to it.”
At my confident answer, Tyler and even the people nearby who had been listening let out impressed exclamations.
“Oh~.”
“There’s that confidence of yours again, Director Min.”
“It really is impressive.”
While I was chatting with everyone, my phone suddenly began vibrating inside my suit pocket.
I quickly took it out and checked the screen.
The caller ID read:
[Reid Hayes]
I raised the phone slightly toward Song Jaehyun and Tyler.
The moment they saw Reid Hayes’s name, both immediately gestured for me to answer.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
I hurried somewhere quieter and accepted the call.
“Hello, CEO Hayes.”
“Director Min, it’s been a while.”
Reid Hayes’s cheerful voice came through the phone.
“I heard the final contract was signed today.”
“Yes.”
“It’s all thanks to you.”
“Come on.”
“No need for formalities between us. Hahaha.”
“Anyway, I heard you’re quite the negotiator.”
“We ended up giving away more than I expected. Hahaha.”
“I believe we reached terms that are good for both companies, rather than creating a one-sided gain or loss.”
“Hahaha.”
“I knew you’d say something like that.”
“Well, just as you said, let’s grow together in a relationship where both sides can win.”
“Yes.”
“Thank you.”
After ending the call, I stared through the window at the city lights outside.
Now that it had truly begun, my heart started beating faster for no particular reason.
And that evening, press releases were distributed to major media outlets.
The next morning.
[Broadcasting Hot Issue: Network Flex Signs Partnership with Korean Production Company ‘Big Picture’... “Accelerating Expansion into Asian Market”]
[Global OTT platform Network Flex has joined hands with mid-sized Korean production company Big Picture.
At a signing ceremony held yesterday at Big Picture headquarters, Network Flex Asia Division Director Tyler described Big Picture as “a production company with unrivaled storytelling capabilities in the Korean market,” and emphasized that the agreement went beyond simple content supply to establish a strategic partnership.
Under the agreement, Big Picture will exclusively supply original series to Network Flex for the next three years, marking what is expected to become the first such case involving an independent Korean production company.]
Industry reaction split into two broad camps.
Some were openly envious and said the landscape of the industry might change.
Others were worried that production companies would soon begin preferring OTT platforms over broadcasters.
“Well, broadcasters should be a little nervous.”
“They’ve never appreciated outside production companies anyway.”
“Exactly.”
“If one platform gives you a bigger production budget and guarantees your rights, while a broadcaster pays less and throws its weight around, which one do you think production companies will choose?”
Executive Director Baek Seonghan and the staff discussed the article among themselves.
“Talent agencies are reacting strongly too.”
“My phone’s been going crazy since this morning with calls asking about casting.”
“Really?”
“Actors have nothing to lose.”
“If a show goes out globally, they can build international recognition.”
“And the appearance fees will probably be much higher too.”
In fact, many management companies were already looking for connections that might help them get their actors into Big Picture productions.
“All right.”
“Enough chatting.”
“Should we start the meeting?”
“The important thing from now on is the project itself.”
Starting the following week, Big Picture would begin meetings with Network Flex regarding its first Korean original.
Baek Seonghan was already restless.
“Ah... this is more pressure than I expected.”
Ju Hanyoung rubbed his chest as though the thought alone was suffocating him.
“Exactly.”
“Without meaning to, it’s basically become official that Network Flex’s first Korean original will come from Big Picture.”
“Everyone in the industry is probably glaring at us and thinking, Let’s see just how good you are.”
“That’s why we don’t have time to sit around talking.”
