novellhall 28, the domineering CJ
28, the domineering CJ
The car slowly came to a stop in front of MBC's headquarters building in Yeouido. This building, which looked quite modern in 2012, now appeared somewhat unusual in the afternoon sunlight.
As originally planned, in order to coincide with the official announcement of the signing and the pre-release publicity for the drama, Kim Min-joo deliberately chose to enter through the main entrance instead of driving directly into the underground parking garage.
However, as the vehicle approached the main entrance, Kim Min-joo sensed something was wrong. She had expected only a few scattered fans and a handful of media reporters who had gotten wind of the situation, but instead, the entrance was packed with people. A dense crowd filled the sidewalk and the front courtyard, and the noise could be faintly heard even through the glass.
Almost all of MBC's security personnel were deployed, forming a human wall hand in hand to maintain order; their expressions showed a mixture of tension and confusion.
"What's going on?" Kim Min-joo frowned slightly, glancing at her watch. "It's Wednesday today, not during music show promotions, and there aren't any popular programs being recorded or broadcast. There shouldn't be so many people here."
"Maybe some top idol or actor has a big MBC event today," Na Yong-ho thought, looking around with a hint of curiosity.
She did arrange for some media to be present, but it seems the plans are about to change.
Lee Kyung-sung had finished replying to Bae Joo-hyun and Lee Hye-ri's messages. He looked up at the window, at the bustling crowd and the flashing camera lights, and agreed, "Is there a special event at the TV station today? Or is some big star coming?"
Wang Zilu parked the car at the end of the temporary passage cleared by security personnel. The moment the car door opened, a blast of sound rushed in as if it were real. Li Jingcheng had just stepped out with one foot, not even fully steady on his feet...
"Li Jingcheng—!!!"
A piercing scream, like a starting pistol, instantly ignited the entire scene!
Immediately following was a tidal wave of shouts and praises, mingled with excitement and fervor:
"Brother! Look here!"
"So handsome! He's even more handsome in person!"
Welcome to CJ! Good luck!
"Batman brother!!"
"Kung Fu Prince!"
"Li Jingcheng! The only Li Jingcheng!"
All sorts of slogans, banners, and even blurry printed screenshots of his Batman audition were waved in the crowd. Flashbulbs went off like a barrage of lightning, almost outshining the afternoon sun.
Li Jingcheng was stunned for a moment by the sudden scene of people cheering for him, and his heart started pounding uncontrollably.
He subconsciously squinted, not understanding why a flash was being used in broad daylight, but the smile on his face bloomed instantly as if it had been precisely calculated, warm and dazzling, with a touch of just the right amount of surprise and humility.
And they are all the most genuine reactions.
Park, the head of MBC's drama division, was in a good mood after reporting his achievements. He planned to have the slated newcomer go through the motions, but his daughter had just called, unusually, begging him to get Lee Kyung-sung's autograph. Seeing the commotion outside, he was startled.
On a weekday afternoon, the crowds outside MBC were comparable to those of top idol comebacks or popular variety show recordings—this is almost unprecedented!
He quickly asked his assistant, who whispered that just half an hour earlier, CJ ENM had officially announced the signing of new actor Lee Kyung-sung and revealed that he had been invited to audition for an important role at MBC, but did not specify the production team. The news spread rapidly through CJ's channels and the internet, causing such a large gathering.
Minister Park glanced at his assistant, wanting to reprimand him for not reminding him, but looking at Lee Kyung-sung, who seemed to radiate light despite being surrounded by others, and then thinking of Kim Soo-hyun, who was originally just a backup but was now unnecessary, he didn't have time to criticize him and quickly jogged over.
Minister Park, still catching his breath, whispered to Kim Min-joo, who was clearly not quite there yet, "Team Leader Kim, with this momentum, I think we can start promoting 'The Moon Embracing the Sun' ahead of schedule. Directly linking Kyung Sung-ssi with the drama's title in our promotions will definitely be a huge success!"
Li Jingcheng knew that the overwhelming cheers were truly aimed at him, and a surge of excitement, mixed with immense joy, satisfaction, and exhilaration coursed through his body. He no longer needed prompting; as if infused with this enthusiasm, a gust of wind propelled him forward, and his superhuman Hong Kong entertainment physique unleashed astonishing speed, all while he smiled and waved continuously.
Just as Kim Min-joo was about to reply, she felt a blurry image appear in her vision. Looking in that direction, she saw Lee Kyung-sung interacting with a fan, seemingly meeting up in person.
She was speechless. Those fans could be incredibly crazy. Li Jingcheng seemed to be doting on his fans, but the situation could easily get out of control. She quickly called out, "Jingcheng-xi, please be careful!"
"Yonghao! Zilu, you guys go over there and take good care of Jingcheng!"
"Hello everyone! Thank you! Be careful!"
Lee Kyung-sung was especially happy, not only waving but also responding to shouts and questions.
Fans screamed excitedly and asked questions:
"Brother! What kind of movie are you filming at CJ?"
"The video of my brother taking on five opponents at once is amazing! What kind of kung fu does he practice?"
Li Jingcheng smiled, his voice clear and gentle: "I will do my best at CJ! As for kung fu, I've learned a little bit, just for health!"
The reporters also strained to hold their microphones forward.
"Mr. Lee Kyung-sung! What role are you auditioning for at MBC today?"
"What are the specific goals of signing with CJ?"
Regarding his specific role, Li Jingcheng naturally couldn't get carried away and humbly said, "I'm not sure yet, because I'm just a newcomer and I'm here for an interview as arranged by the company."
Seeing the excited fans, he kept reminding them, "Everyone be careful! Don't push, be safe!"
Throughout the entire process, he appeared exceptionally relaxed and at ease, eliciting even louder screams from fans. Reporters also felt he exuded a powerful aura, suggesting his salary for the month was secure.
Looking at Lee Kyung-sung, who was calm and composed in the crowd, Minister Park sighed to Kim Min-joo, "His popularity is genuine. It seems we don't have to worry about the ratings at all, and I think Kyung-sung is particularly suited to be an entertainer."
Kim Min-joo's gaze followed Lee Kyung-sung closely, her inner turmoil far from her outward composure. Her initial plan was actually relatively mild, given the time constraints. "The Moon Embracing the Sun" was currently the most suitable project for Lee Kyung-sung to quickly rise to fame, using MBC's top-tier project as his debut.
By exchanging resources and securing the role for him, then capitalizing on the buzz with official announcements, filming, and promotion, and leveraging CJ's channels and Li Jingcheng's own potential, the probability of success was extremely high. This can be considered a solid start with top-tier resources.
But the unexpectedly enthusiastic crowd acted like a shot of adrenaline, and like a bolt of lightning, instantly shattering her previously somewhat conservative strategic thinking.
This is more than just potential; it's phenomenal attention! A mere signing announcement and vague audition rumors have attracted such a massive, spontaneous gathering on a weekday, outside of peak times.
Lee Kyung-sung's popularity and national recognition are terrifyingly strong. It would be a complete waste not to capitalize on this momentum and maximize its impact!
A bolder, more radical, and potentially more profitable plan quickly took shape in her mind. Her eyes gleamed even brighter; she shook her head, her voice low but carrying an undeniable resolve.
We absolutely cannot let Kim Soo-hyun affect Kyung-sung.
"No, Minister Park, announcing the connection now would be too ordinary and a waste of this golden opportunity." Kim Min-joo paused, then clearly stated her cold plan, "Notify Kim Soo-hyun to come to MBC for another formal audition."
Minister Park was taken aback. "But the male lead is already..."
"That's right, the male lead already belongs to Kyung Sung; this is just a formality," Kim Min-joo interjected, her tone calm and even. "But what happened before is now. Seeing this scene, there are better options. A smooth ascension is nothing compared to stepping over the corpses of former candidates for the throne—it's more shocking and more secure. For Kyung Sung, royalty isn't just about resources anymore; they're the real royalty of the peninsula."
She looked at Lee Kyung-sung, who was surrounded by fans, and said, "In terms of acting skills, Kyung-sung hasn't officially acted in any works yet, but his impromptu performance during the audition was flawless. His looks, temperament, physique, star power, and especially his current, undeniable and terrifying popularity, make Kim Soo-hyun pale in comparison. What I want is for them to share the stage, so that everyone, including the media, the audience, and even Bae Yong-joon himself, can clearly see what true domination is and what the changing of the times is."
In the entertainment industry, it's perfectly normal for people to fight over roles, but Kim Min-joo's thoughts are... Besides, Kim Soo-hyun and Lee Kyung-sung aren't that far apart in age, so how can you say it's a change of eras?
That's not the point!
Minister Park gasped, "That's too ruthless! Bae Yong-joon will definitely be furious! He's the one who made Kim Soo-hyun his protégé, and he even stood up for him several times just a few days ago. If you do this, it's like trampling his precious son into the mud in public."
"He can get worked up," Kim Min-joo said dismissively, even with a hint of cold sarcasm. "But what can he change? The resources are in our hands, the hype is on Kyung-sung, and MBC's interests lie in the ratings of 'The Moon Embracing the Sun.' What can he do besides impotent rage if he disagrees? In the face of absolute profit and attention, personal emotions are insignificant. We and the audience will only see who the real focus is, who the popular choice is. The more popular Lee Kyung-sung becomes, the more hyped the drama will be before it even airs, which is entirely beneficial to MBC."
She then shifted her tone, offering what appeared to be a concession: "Of course, to appease him and silence any potential criticisms within the industry, I can offer one truly significant supporting role from CJ's film projects for one of his other artists. If he agrees, he can still reap some tangible benefits; if he disagrees, he'll simply have to watch helplessly as his favorite artist becomes a mere background figure in comparison, serving as the first stepping stone on Jingcheng's path to the top."
Kim Min-joo shrugged slightly, looking quite helpless. "If you have to blame someone, you can only blame his bad luck. He just happened to have a scheduling conflict with our Jingcheng, and our Jingcheng just happened to be so dazzling."
Minister Park fell silent. He had to admit that Kim Min-joo's analysis was ruthless and accurate. As the minister of MBC, his primary concern was the station's ratings and the success of projects. The attention brought by Lee Kyung-sung was real, and deeply linking that attention to the drama...
Even using a highly topical match to generate buzz would be extremely beneficial for pre-show promotion. Whether you're a fan of Lee Kyung-sung, a die-hard Kim Soo-hyun fan, or just a casual viewer, you'd likely tune in for the answer.
As for Kim Soo-hyun and Bae Yong-joon? They'll just have to put up with it. The blame lies with Lee Kyung-sung, whose rise and brightness were so astonishing that he was destined to overshadow everyone else.
He pondered for a moment, then proposed a condition: "Okay. But MBC needs priority cooperation rights. Under the same conditions, MBC has priority consideration for Kyung Sung-xi's subsequent works."
Kim Min-joo didn't hesitate, but added a key restriction: "It's possible. But it can't conflict with CJ's self-produced drama plans, and it must fit Kyung Sung's image and development path. Specific projects will be discussed on a case-by-case basis."
Minister Park wanted exactly this attitude and framework. He nodded, looking down at Lee Kyung-sung, who was faintly surrounded by the cheers of fans, and felt certain that this young man, backed by CJ, would definitely become a true representative of Hallyu, barring any unforeseen circumstances.
"Okay, let's do it that way." Minister Park didn't hesitate at all. He took out his phone and said directly, "I'll call President Bae Yong-joon right now and ask actor Kim Soo-hyun to do his best and be there on time." He looked at Kim Min-joo and smiled meaningfully. "I guess Bae Yong-joon will refuse because Kim Soo-hyun's schedule is full."
"It doesn't matter, as long as the meaning is there. When MBC promotes it, Kim Soo-hyun will be unable to publicly compete with Lee Kyung-sung for the role of Lee Hwon due to scheduling conflicts. Fans and viewers will find out the answer. If Kyung-sung performs well, we'll release the costume fitting and audition photos together. Kyung-sung is already unstoppable."
Kim Min-joo gazed at the radiant young man, a faint smile playing on her lips. She felt that stepping on Kim Soo-hyun wasn't even an added bonus; he was just lucky to have landed a role a few days earlier.
Her real purpose was to completely erase the negative public opinion surrounding Lee Kyung-sung's alleged stealing of the role from Lee Hwon, and to coerce Bae Yong-joon into coming forward to endorse it, thus firmly establishing that Lee Kyung-sung won the role based on his appearance, temperament, and acting skills.
Even if someone deliberately brings up old grievances or uses the Li Jingcheng royal family as a pretext, they won't be able to stir up any trouble.
With authoritative endorsements and comparisons of official photos, if Kim Soo-hyun really dares to compete for Lee Hwon alongside Kyung-sung, then audition videos would also be readily available. This would give fans a complete set of rebuttal logic and comment control strategies, allowing them to directly confront those spreading rumors and stirring up trouble, while also quickly suppressing negative keywords and guiding public opinion.
By nipping any potential smear campaigns or attempts to stir up trouble in the bud, there's no way to damage Lee Kyung-sung's reputation over the issue of who gets the role.