Second Promotional Video (2)
Soon, the second recruit promotion video would be released.
In other words, starting tomorrow, the recruit promotion would begin in earnest.
Current ti: 9:30 p.m.
The Marketing & PR Team Leader, Shin Miyoung, could not go ho early today.
In fact, for the past month, she had been leaving work late every day. Her husband was taking care of their child these days.
She seed nervous, repeatedly putting on and taking off her black-rimd glasses.
Kim Junho was also constantly looking for water.
At that, Choi Hyena clicked her tongue next to him.
"Stop drinking so much water. Do you even know how many tis you've gone to the restroom already?"
"Well... I just can't seem to calm down. This promotional video is, with no exaggeration, the real starting point that will determine the future of our division."
"I get how you're feeling, but does fussing like that change the result? Phew! Look at all that sweat. Why are you sweating so much?"
Choi Hyena wiped the sweat running down Kim Junho's cheek with a tissue.
At that, Lee Yunjung's eyes rolled.
I brewed decaf coffee for Shin Miyoung and Kim Junho and handed it to them.
"Try to relax with sothing warm. You've both done your best, and I gave final confirmation on your completed work. If the promotional video receives a bad response? Then it's my fault from that point on."
Shin Miyoung accepted the coffee and said,
"Thank you for the thoughtfulness, Division Director. But thinking about your efforts... I just really want this video to succeed no matter what. That's why Junho and I are even more nervous than usual."
"That's right, Division Director."
'The struggle...'
Producing the second promotional video had its fair share of difficulties.
First of all, since the Marketing & PR Team wasn't functioning properly, support from the Business Strategy Division was necessary.
However, instead of supporting, they only got in the way.
They didn't properly support essential things like supply replenishnt or venue rentals.
They didn't just nitpick the little things—they even hindered the recruitnt of additional staff for the Marketing & PR Team.
They mobilized the HR team to declare our candidates unfit and have them rejected each ti.
Because of this, Shin Miyoung and Kim Junho, who were already struggling, beca more overloaded.
In the end, I had no choice but to et directly with the HR team leader.
Fortunately, during that process, HR team deputy Kang Dae-hyun secretly provided with a strategy to break the HR team leader's argunt.
He pretended to side with the HR team leader while actually diating, so that the leader could back down without losing face.
What the HR team leader said then:
"Division Director, you know if I push harder, things in the Reform Division will be delayed even more. Dae-hyun coordinated things well this ti, so just back off for Dae-hyun's sake. Next ti, it won't be this easy."
Choi Hyena gave her opinion on Kang Dae-hyun.
"He's definitely not a straightforward person."
"What do you an by a straightforward person?"
"I an soone with the qualities of a righteous leader in the orthodox martial world, like you, Division Director."
"You read wuxia novels these days too, huh?"
"Kang Dae-hyun would be perfect as a double agent or envoy."
"I suppose that's true."
"But the problem is, he has an inscrutable and sly mind, so you never know what he's really thinking."
A sly mind, she said. It's a strange expression, but oddly fitting.
The budget issue was also a serious headache.
We tried to save and save, but in the end, the second video went over budget.
This was all due to Kim Junho's obsession with quality; he didn't like so scenes' details, so we reshot several tis.
The Finance Team wouldn't sign off on the extra costs, so again, I had to step in.
Finance team leader Kang Sangsu kept bowing, saying it was an executive vice president's order, and he had no choice.
So I had to argue with Executive Vice President Kim several tis.
Thankfully, since the first video was well received, I managed to get all the excess budget approved.
This was why Shin Miyoung and Kim Junho couldn't help but feel pressure.
If the second video failed, everything I had done would co back as a boorang and hit the Reform Division.
I was just as nervous. But I was confident, too. The reason was, as expected...
I picked up my tablet and showed it to the two mbers of the Marketing & PR Team.
["I watched the second video preview, it's so emotional! When does this co out?"]
["How co this promo video for a supposedly failing the park is better than most music videos or short dramas? Is it okay for them to spend money on stuff like this?"]
["Ah... I want to go back to my 20s. If I visit Next Planet, can I be in my 20s again, even for a mont?"]
Most of the responses were positive. Looking closely at the comnts, it was clear that viewers genuinely felt anticipation.
"I must have watched the clip dozens of tis. They say you shouldn't pop the champagne early, but with this video, I think it's almost rude not to. So I do want to pop the champagne right now. But if I started now, I'd be totally drunk by the ti the video goes live, so I'll hang on a bit longer."
I marvel at how I can say things like this now.
Back in my Next Global days, I would have just said this flatly:
"It's well made, so it'll do well."
It's amazing to see how much I've changed.
Choi Hyena grinned. She actually bought a bottle of champagne and got ready to pop it.
Ten o'clock arrived. The second promotional video went up.
***
Kim Ahri, twenty-three, attending university in Seoul.
Thanks to her diligent nature, she did well in her studies from a young age and spent her four years of university life responsibly.
But what is it to be a college senior?
It's the ti when you have to break the comfortable shell of "student" that's protected you so far.
Ti to beco a real mber of society.
Kim Ahri had lost a lot of weight recently due to job-hunting stress. These days, it's so hard to find a job.
Though she went to a good university, the problem was that she was a humanities major.
Getting a job was unbelievably difficult.
"Haaah..."
Thinking she should at least do an internship in the second sester, she was searching online—
"Oh?"
Perhaps because of the algorithm, she happened to see the second Next Planet promotional video.
Her heart began to pound.
'How could I have ti for romance? I need to get a job soon and ease my parents' burden. Do you know how much money we've spent since I moved to Seoul from the provinces?'
She always lived with worries like this in her heart. That's why there was no "youthful romance" in her campus life.
But after watching the second Next Planet promotional video, sothing long buried deep inside her suddenly began to explode.
There was a younger classmate, two years her junior, who'd shown interest in her.
'Honestly, I have feelings too.'
Ti: 11:30 p.m.
She ran out to the convenience store, bought a bottle of soju. She couldn't drink much, so she resolved to drink just two shots.
"Ahh... I'm getting tipsy."
Borrowing strength from alcohol, she made a courageous phone call.
"Jinho, you said you're going to the army next week, right? Want to go on a date with nuna at Next Planet before you enlist? Nuna wants to spend ti with you before you go."
That's how the first romance in Kim Ahri's 23 years began.
***
One week had passed since the second promotional video went out.
The recruit promotion was now in full swing.
The photospot was completed, and the food court began to run smoothly.
My job for the day was to roam around the inside of the the park.
Sitting on a bench near the main entrance, I waited for the park to open.
At 9 o'clock, when entry started, a group of visitors—who looked to be in their early to mid-twenties—began running inside.
So much energy—maybe it's because they're young.
I briskly walked after them.
"Strawberry waffle cos first. It's only sold in limited quantities in the morning and afternoon. If you don't get it now, you can't have it, period."
"The strawberry waffle fairy was so cute."
"Oppa? You don't really want a strawberry waffle, do you? What are you thinking right now? I want to go ho."
As expected, the popularity of Yunjung's strawberry waffle remained strong.
Watching a couple on the verge of breaking up, I thought, she herself seems to be quite popular, too...
Either way, her strawberry waffle was a huge strength for Next Planet.
"If we go now, we can get a great photo at the rry-go-round. So let's hurry."
"Hyung, bring Jihye nuna and the others. I can do 100 ters in 11 seconds. I'll go quickly and pull a ticket for us."
I still didn't quite understand why the rry-go-round's photospot was so valued.
But I didn't have to understand everything. Sotis you just accept things as they are.
I was already looking forward to what it would be like when the performance hall for kids was finished.
My hope was that the 20-sothings who gathered at the rry-go-round for photos would find the younger children's enthusiasm for performances adorable and watch them with affection.
And their parents would be pleased by the sight.
Elsewhere, another group could be heard.
"Ghost Flight, no matter what."
"Nope. Battle Fire Ship cos first."
There were also "orthodox" custors who went straight for the rides. Next Planet's rides were high quality, after all.
Of course, there were more powerful rivals out there, but...
After making a round of the park, I headed back to the office to prepare for a eting.
I spotted soone pulling weeds in a corner.
"Division Director for Operations Division."
Oh Kang-il—the division director with a straw hat—got up, patting his back.
"Division Director Hyunmin, you're diligent as always."
"Why are you pulling weeds, sir?"
"There's not much for to do today. I'm not in charge of facility maintenance anymore. So these days, my field is places like this."
"The sun's strong today. You should co in and rest..."
"Even though I've gotten older, I'm still a division director. If I just tried to take it easy, what good would I be? Plus, being out here on site gives a real sense of how things are going at Next Planet."
He took off his gloves and gave my back a gentle pat with his thick hands.
"I think this is the first ti Next Planet has been this lively since the grand opening. It's all thanks to you, Division Director Hyunmin."
"You flatter . This was only possible because people like you worked hard in less visible ways."
"Skip the formalities. Backup is backup. Not that I underestimate those who support from behind. Their contributions are crucial—especially when things are running smoothly. But in a crisis? That's when a reforr like you is needed, Hyunmin."
I walked slowly to the office with Oh Kang-il.
"Given how organizations work, there are sure to be things I won't be able to support in line with your wishes. But if I can say one thing..."
He stopped for a mont and watched people enjoying the rides.
"This lively scene of young people bustling through the park—it's wonderful. The road ahead won't be easy, but I'm counting on you."
He waved goodbye and walked off in another direction.
It seed he had guessed what I would do next.
The Operations Division, led by Oh Kang-il, also needed reform.
But because I'd been busy dealing with the Business Strategy Division, I hadn't gotten to that yet.
There were issues from custor service to facility setup, to safety and security.
If there are problems on that front, I'll cut them out without hesitation.
I returned to the office.
Today was Reform Division eting day, as always.
As usual, Choi Hyena began the briefing.
"Since the second promotional video, daily advance ticket reservations have increased sharply."
I saw Kim Junho clenching his fist.
"Yes!"
Team Leader Shin Miyoung was captured letting out a tense sigh.
I asked,
"How much, roughly?"
"We expect to surpass a daily average of 850 visitors soon. The previous daily average was about 750, but with the senior discount promotion now completely over, it makes more sense to think of it as 550."
"So, going forward, we can expect a daily increase of about 300, or over 50% growth, right?"
"Yes, Division Director."
Choi Hyena gave a thumbs up and exclaid brightly,
"Our second promotional video and recruit promotion just hit it big! Getting to 1,000 daily visitors isn't just a dream now."
"Wow!"
Park Seok-min, the event planning team leader, high-fived Kim Junho. Then he shook hands with Team Leader Shin Miyoung.
Lee Yunjung looked as if she was about to cry, pressing tissues to her eyes.
In the festive mood, I tapped the desk lightly.
"We can't be satisfied yet. We've gained the possibility of hitting 1,000, not actually achieved it."
Everyone nodded.
I grinned.
"I've got so more good news."
Everyone held their breath, waiting for to continue.
"It seems our video's emotional tone really hit ho. The popular singer, 115km, reached out—they want to shoot a music video at Next Planet."
At that, Lee Yunjung scread.
"Eee! I'm a huge fan of 115km. That sweet voice... Are they actually going to collaborate with us on their new song?"
Choi Hyena's mouth was stretching to her ears.
"I'm a 115km fan, too. Wow, Junho-nim, this is like super, super, super big. Your passion inspired the artist's senses!"
Kim Junho seed stunned—he just stared into space, not even reacting to Choi Hyena smacking his forearm with her palm.
"I... I've been acknowledged."
I gave him a thumbs-up.
"Don't stop here. This is just the start—you should be recognized even more going forward."
He suddenly bowed to .
"Division Director, thank you so much. This was all possible thanks to your support. I'll repay this grace even if it ans working myself to the bone."
"Ah... no... That's a bit much—don't overdo it..."
But it felt great.
115km's proposal was also related to an investnt matter.
Currently, the Business Strategy Division and I had differing views on this issue. This ti, it wasn't just that they were trying to trip up for no reason.
Their side had fair points, too.
And just who was that private equity fund that had bought up all those pensions and inns in Nonsan? Why were they refusing to take calls?
I needed to et them eventually...
As always, I had a mountain of issues in my head waiting to be solved.
But today, I wanted to just enjoy this good feeling.
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