005 Profitable Investment

The chance encounter with Liu Zhimin did not lead to any unnecessary complications. The secret that the old man had guarded for half his life would remain safe with Yoon Yun-hui, as it concerned his grandfather’s academic reputation as a titan of medicine.

It was another busy week. After gathering suggestions from his classmates, he drafted a guest list for the school anniversary, which even included BTS.

"Seriously, guys? Your President Yoon might be capable, but I’m not a wish-granting machine."

Since taking office, Yoon Yun-hui had left his classmates with an impression of extreme reliability; when things needed to be done, their President Yoon truly stepped up. But considering BTS’s current status and the school’s limited budget, the students were really testing his limits. Still, facing their eager expectations, Yoon Yun-hui decided to find time to visit Big Hit Entertainment. He was confident he could find the right people to talk to.

However, the head producer of the *Penthouse* production team called, asking him to visit SBS when he had a moment.

Consequently, Yoon Yun-hui rode his BMW R-series motorcycle to the SBS Deungchon-dong Open Hall. This venue was used for music programs like *Inkigayo*, and it was also where the year-end awards ceremonies were held. He couldn't help but wonder why they were meeting here instead of the SBS Tanhyeon Production Center in Goyang, where the drama department was based—the very place where he had auditioned.

It was his first time at the Deungchon Open Hall, and he felt slightly out of place. The parking lot was surrounded by layers of fans; right, it was a recording day for *Inkigayo*. Yoon Yun-hui parked on the side of the road, removed his helmet, and stared at the crowd that had practically blocked the street.

He wasn't nervous. With his experience in student elections, he could quickly memorize names, grades, majors, and appearances. He had also participated in street campaigns during his freshman year, proving his ability to handle such environments. Yet, seeing a crowd of fans in person gave him a strange feeling. Would so many people like him in the future? What would life be like once he became an entertainer?

Then, a thought struck him. He had already signed the contract with the production team and was confirmed to debut as a rookie actor, yet he hadn't signed with an agency, didn't have an assistant, and had to handle everything himself.

"Damn it."

He was clearly overwhelmed. It seemed he would have to find an agency to sell himself to sooner or later.

"Waaaah!!!"

Suddenly, a roar of cheers erupted from the crowd. Seeing the road completely blocked, Yoon Yun-hui leaned against his motorcycle, in no hurry to push through. He took out his phone, sent a message to the head producer to let him know he had arrived, and then opened his camera, ready to play the part of a fan himself.

The fans were incredibly passionate. Unlike the *Music Bank* studio at KBS, which designated a specific area in the parking lot for idols and fans to interact, SBS’s *Inkigayo* did not allow fans into the parking lot. They could only crowd the sidewalk outside, aiming their long lenses and cameras at their idols from a distance.

"Miyeon-ah!"
"YUQI!!!"
"Miyeon Unnie!"

The door of an unknown van opened, and six youthful, beautiful girls stepped out. Hearing the enthusiastic calls, the six girls turned back to wave at the fans before entering the building.

Was that the group called (G)I-DLE? Yoon Yun-hui remembered seeing them on the school anniversary invitation list. The one named Cho Miyeon was quite pretty.

After they entered the hall, only a small portion of the fans dispersed; it seemed they were waiting for other artists. Every music show had a lottery system for the public, alongside special channels for official fan clubs. *Inkigayo* had the most flexible application process, allowing sign-ups a week in advance, and foreigners could participate too.

Yoon Yun-hui admired the tenacity of these fans. Even if they hadn't won a spot, setting aside professional fans, there were surely pure-hearted fans who just wanted a glimpse of their idols. That kind of spirit could lead to success in anything, provided it was channeled correctly.

Just as Yoon Yun-hui was musing over this, a staff member wearing an SBS ID badge squeezed out of the crowd. He looked around until he spotted Yoon Yun-hui’s motorcycle and ran over.

"Hello! Are you Yun-hui-ssi?"
"I am Yoon Yun-hui, hello."
"Haha, the parking lot is always inaccessible during *Inkigayo* recordings. Don't worry, these fans are quite friendly. See? They’ve already cleared a path."

The staff member was energetic and explained the situation. Sure enough, the fans who had been blocking the entrance had moved behind the yellow line painted on the ground without even needing security to intervene. Even those who were unaware followed the lead of the group.

No one knew which idol would step out of the next van, and in person, the fans' aggression seemed to vanish.

"Are you Chief Producer Choi’s assistant?"

Yoon Yun-hui had already turned off his motorcycle; it was a short distance, so he decided to push it in. The staff member, being quite observant, offered to hold his helmet.

"Yes. The CP specifically told me to be extra attentive to you."

The staff member was not-so-subtly fishing for praise, which Yoon Yun-hui found amusing. "CP" stood for Chief Producer. Chief Producer Choi was a veteran who had been with SBS for nearly twenty years. He had accompanied Yoon Yun-hui during his audition, whereas Yoon Yun-hui had yet to meet the main director of *Penthouse*, PD Ju. The filming of his audition had been handled by a co-director, a female PD named Park.

Drama directors at the three major networks followed a clear career path: starting as an assistant, gaining the right to co-direct, and eventually becoming an independent PD. Only a very few talented individuals reached the level of Producer or Chief Producer. Therefore, within the *Penthouse* production team, the hierarchy went CP Choi > PD Ju > PD Park, while the screenwriter, the "Godmother of Makjang," Kim Soon-ok, was in a league of her own.

"Please, follow me. The CP is waiting for you in the *Inkigayo* backstage office."

The staff member led the way enthusiastically, and Yoon Yun-hui nodded. If CP Choi wanted to see him, it was surely about *Penthouse*. But why meet at the *Inkigayo* studio? He realized instantly that this "small" *Penthouse* production team likely had some significant internal conflicts.

Yoon Yun-hui braced himself and followed the staff member into the SBS Deungchon Open Hall. He didn't notice that among the fans behind him, the more curious ones—especially the "fansite managers"—were whispering.

"Who’s that handsome guy? Whose idol is he? Do you recognize him?"
"No. He doesn't look like an idol, and I haven't heard of any other activities here today."
"Why care? I took a photo anyway. He’s quite handsome. I’ll post it on the forums and group chats later and ask around."
"Makes sense. The person next to him is an SBS staffer, right? Maybe he’s a rookie from some agency. Judging by that height, those looks, and that BMW motorcycle, I have a feeling investing in him won't be a loss!"