Be reborn and be happy to the fullest

After exchanging greetings, Lee Seok got straight to the point: "Gyuri's contract with her previous agency is about to expire, and I hope she can switch to our company. Given her influence in South Korea, I think we can tailor-make a super S-level contract for her. What do you think?"

"Of course, no problem! Miss Nan's name is known to everyone in the country. Her masterpiece this year, '49 Days,' has won numerous awards. I predict that by the time the drama finishes airing, you will at least be a top-tier actress like Jun Ji-hyun!"

Kim Seo-jin's words contained both exaggerated praise and restraint.

The praise lies in the fact that Jun Ji-hyun is a top film star, the number one advertising actress, and the undisputed queen of the South Korean entertainment industry. In comparison, even Han Hyo-joo, who is considered a top star, only works in the Korean drama industry and only started to enter the film industry this year. As for Nam Gyu-ri, in this year's hit drama "49 Days," she was actually only a co-lead actress, and had less screen time than the other lead actress...

Of course, Kim Seo-jin's words were not too exaggerated, because the drama starring Nam Gyu-ri was indeed a hit in South Korea. In fact, even before the drama finished airing, Nam Gyu-ri already had countless commercial advertising reservations, but she had canceled them all.

Yes, this is what Nam Gyu-ri said to Lee Seok in bed, boasting: "To be with you, I turned down 10 advertising deals yesterday alone, with contracts worth hundreds of millions of won!"

The three of them chatted as they got on the elevator. Kim Seo-jin, who had already finished get off work, naturally followed. Lee Seok, who had originally planned to go to Shuoguo Construction first, changed his strategy and pressed the button for the floor where "Shuoguo Entertainment" was located.

"Minister Kim, you flatter me. You're so young to have already become a minister; that truly demonstrates your ability..."

"Haha, no wonder the boss wants to sign Miss Nan. You're so beautiful and eloquent; your future is sure to be bright..."

As the two were exchanging pleasantries, Li Shuo occasionally chimed in, "No, I'm signing my own girlfriend, I wouldn't consider those things... However, there are some issues involved, um, let's go inside and talk..."

As they were talking, the elevator arrived at Shuoguo Entertainment. Kim Seo-jin, with her keen eye, stepped out first, introducing as she went, "Boss, if I remember correctly, this is your first time visiting Shuoguo Entertainment since you came to Korea, right?"

“That’s right, this is my first time here since you moved here…”

"Then, shall I introduce it to you?"

"OK"

"This way, please... This is our reception area, lounge area, and work area..."

Lee Seok followed Kim Seo-jin with Nam Gyu-ri. When Kim Seo-jin walked past the reception desk and gestured with her finger to "plan" a large "relaxation area," Lee Seok was stunned. The relaxation area was incredibly spacious. There were several pool tables at the exit, with LCD TVs hanging behind them. On one side was a large, comfortable sofa. Moreover, there were internet cafes, massage chairs, and other facilities inside...

"Wow, the relaxation area of ​​Shuoguo Entertainment looks so comfortable. It must be very comfortable to work here, right?" Nan Guili exclaimed, expressing part of Li Shuo's feelings. In fact, even he felt it was a bit luxurious.

"Hehe, of course, our Shuoguo Entertainment absolutely controls the top resources in the entire Shuoguo Group. Funds, equipment, manpower and materials, they basically all have to give us priority..." Jin Xizhen said proudly.

"Oh? Why is that? I heard that companies like Shuoguo Construction and Shuoguo Trading are much larger than Shuoguo Entertainment?" Nam Gyu-ri asked curiously.

"Um, well..."

Kim Seo-jin was momentarily speechless. She couldn't very well say, "Because all the artists here are the boss's wives," but then a thought struck her, and she turned to Lee Seok and smiled, "That's because our boss values ​​Shuoguo Entertainment the most!"

Li Shuo naturally wouldn't say he didn't value it, so he nodded with a smile and then changed the subject...

Afterwards, Kim Seo-jin led the two on a tour of the work area, and at Lee Seok's request, selected a super luxurious artist lounge for Nam Gyu-ri.

These lounges are essentially private offices for senior executives. However, artists don't spend much time with their agencies, so the lounges are usually not very large. But Nam Gyu-ri's lounge is different; it's even a suite where she can sleep and rest.

Nam Gyu-ri appeared flattered and repeatedly waved her hands in refusal. She then bluntly stated that her contract would not end until the middle of this year, and she could not use the lounge until she signed with Shuoguo Entertainment.

Finally, it was Lee Seok who forced Nam Gyu-ri to accept the rest room:
"You're not an ordinary celebrity. This place is for celebrities' dressing rooms, but for you, it's the boss's private room. From now on..."

"It's settled then. We'll use it like this for now. Also, Sister Kim, arrange the details of the other S-level contracts directly for Nam Gyu-ri..." Watching Nam Gyu-ri snuggle into Lee Seok's arms in a daze, Kim Seo-jin repeatedly replied "Yes," while inwardly marveling: As expected of her own popular president, even a big star like Nam Gyu-ri was "sold" so easily, and in advance, without any bargaining!
If Lee Seok knew what Kim Seo-jin was really thinking, he would definitely cry foul. With his current status and influence, he couldn't see any difference between a top star like Nam Gyu-ri and an ordinary star. Just like his attitude towards super-top star Han Hyo-joo, in his eyes, they were all just pretty women.

"Ms. Nan, how about we sign a memorandum first?"

The so-called memorandum is a type of agreement that stipulates that Nam Gyu-ri must sign with Sogo Entertainment after her contract with her previous company ends, essentially putting a shackle around her neck. This is Kim Seo-jin, who consciously guessed her boss's intentions and took the initiative to play the "bad guy".

Li Shuo's face darkened, and he reprimanded, "I've already said that Nam Gyu-ri came to the company as my girlfriend. What memorandum is she signing?"

"Uh, yes, yes, I misspoke, I'm sorry, Miss Nan..."

“It’s alright. Since it’s a commercially operated company, we naturally have to follow the company’s procedures. Besides, Shuoguo Entertainment has given me such good terms, so I should indeed sign the memorandum of understanding. Oppa, don’t blame Minister Kim. She’s just doing her job. And I’m happy to stay here…”

As Kim Seo-jin had predicted, despite Lee Seok's objections, Nam Gyu-ri readily agreed to sign the contract and even urged Kim Seo-jin to prepare it quickly.

Kim Seo-jin readily agreed, turned and left the room, returning less than a minute later with two copies of the contract! It was the S-level agreement that Lee Seok had specially customized for Nam Gyu-ri!
"Ms. Nan, this is the S-level special agency agreement you will be signing with Shuoguo Entertainment in the future. Please take a look..."

As she handed the agreement to Nam Gyu-ri, Kim Seo-jin launched into a long explanation: "First, there's the basic compensation. In South Korea, only the top stars receive a basic salary. Your S-level agreement offers the highest basic salary in the industry..."

"Secondly, there are the resources provided by the company. Compared with the top agencies in the industry, although Shuoguo Entertainment is a new company, it can still provide internal resources such as professional training and various special assistants, as well as brand ambassadors for big-name luxury brands, super commercial advertisements, and countless external resources in domestic and foreign film and television..."

"Then there are various revenue sharing arrangements, especially advertising revenue sharing, which is the main source of income for both agencies and artists. Generally speaking, agencies, especially the top companies in the industry, take more than 70% of the profits. Shuoguo Entertainment firmly opposes this practice of leeching off artists. Therefore, the highest revenue sharing ratio we offer our artists is only 50/50. For S-level special contracts, we offer a 30/70 split, with the artist receiving 70%..."

The real reason why Nam Gyu-ri signed with Sogo Entertainment was for her man. If she cared about the terms, she would definitely have signed with a big agency. So, she didn't really care about these terms and just pretended to listen attentively to Kim Seo-jin's explanation.

But as she listened, Nam Gyu-ri's expression turned serious. After Kim Seo-jin finished speaking, she turned to Lee Seok and asked, "Oppa, are you serious? With such generous terms, can this really be promoted?"

Li Shuo was a little puzzled and asked blankly, "What do you mean 'seriously'? Shuoguo Entertainment is naturally run with seriousness."

Kim Seo-jin covered her mouth and chuckled, "Boss, you don't understand the corporate culture here in South Korea. Because the media is controlled by big companies, their daily propaganda is: it's not easy for entertainment companies to train artists. They lose money for the first N years, so they have to make a profit in the following years."

"The widespread prevalence of such rhetoric has resulted in most fans and artists genuinely believing that South Korean entertainment companies are doing charity work, that training artists doesn't generate profit, and so on... Ms. Nam, you're asking whether the company will suffer losses if we offer such favorable terms, right?"

The last sentence was addressed to Nam Gyu-ri, who blinked and said hesitantly, "Isn't that right?"

"Of course not, my silly girl!"

Li Shuo chuckled, reaching out to ruffle Nam Gyu-ri's hair as he did so, saying, "Even with a top-tier S-level contract like yours, the agency still makes money. Besides, big names signing with our company is a form of publicity and resource acquisition... not to mention contracts below S-level, those are even more profitable..."

"Ugh, I'm not a little girl, don't pinch me like that..."

Nam Gyu-ri, unable to bear the caresses, couldn't help but pout. But in this state, she looked even more like a doll, a doll with the charm of an oriental beauty. Lee Seok couldn't resist admiring her and pulled her into his arms: "Let's not talk about this. Let's go to your private lounge first..."

"Ah? Now?"

"Of course, and while we're at it, let's rest for a bit and try out the mattress inside..."

"Ugh, how annoying~" (End of Chapter)