The Divine Genius’s Game Broadcasting Chapter 399

Episode 399 – Where's the new figure? (5)

Life turned around.

This was the word that came to Pugmalion's mind as soon as he heard the proposal for Masterpiece.

‘A job with a signing bonus of 500 million won and an annual salary of 200 million won?’

Until just a few days ago, she was unemployed. Despite repeated job failures, she relied on her parents' help to get by, seeking no other path.

How can someone like me be priced so high? Wouldn't it be a lie to say I'm not greedy as a human being?

“You don’t have to send an email. What do you mean…?”

The person who made the offer, a human national treasure, trailed off with a sly smile. Judging by her reaction, the scouting seemed to have been a success.

Pugmalion took a short breath and answered.

"I truly admire Masterpiece's technical prowess, their pride, and the craftsmanship that underpins it all. I'm sure many people would love to work here. The very fact that I've been offered such a position is an honor."

"Indeed! I'm so grateful you recognize its value. It's truly a place that even the most skilled wouldn't dare attempt. That speaks volumes about your exceptional talent."

The human national treasure smiled cheerfully, clasped his hands together, and continued speaking in a low voice, as if keeping a secret.

"If you're a little more ambitious, I recommend naturalization. If you acquire Japanese citizenship, you could even aim for the next Living National Treasure after me."

"yes?"

“If you have the will, I will support you in every way, both materially and spiritually.”

Her eyes widened. Then, looking around in confusion, she grabbed my hands.

“I truly, truly appreciate your kind words.”

"Hey, hey, maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. Getting used to it should come first."

As he burst out laughing, Pugmalion looked at him with a stiff smile.

“Oh, that… You said there were a lot of applicants, right? There will be other excellent people coming besides me.”

The interpreter blinked briefly at her words. While the human national treasure remained puzzled, she continued.

“I appreciate your evaluation, but I decline your offer.”

The following words required no interpretation, for Pugmalion bowed his head politely and waved his hand.

The human national treasure, who heard the interpretation a beat late, suddenly stood up.

"Huh? What, what's the problem? If the treatment we've prepared isn't enough, then we'll adjust it…"

“No! No no! Not at all!”

“Huh? Then why on earth…?”

“That… I know in my head that it’s an offer I can’t refuse.”

She shrugged with an awkward smile. She couldn't quite understand her own feelings, but as she prepared her answer, things came together.

“I don’t feel any emotion.”

Pugmalion had previously created things that 'others liked'.

‘When I was young, I wanted to hear praise, and when I became an adult, I wanted to get a job…’

However, after meeting Lee Kyung-bok, her creative work changed. The reactions from Lee Kyung-bok and viewers alike were positive.

'That's something I made because I wanted to make it.'

Watching Lee Kyung-bok's performance on TV, I felt this way. The desire to capture that perfect performance, that shining moment, was the beginning of my creative process.

Only after completing the work did I think about giving it to Lee Kyung-bok as a gift and wanting to receive praise.

'It's different from before.'

If the causal relationship had been the same as before, if he had simply sought praise, he would have contacted Lee Kyung-bok first. If Lee Kyung-bok didn't accept the gift, wouldn't it have been meaningless?

And then I realized it when I saw Lee Kyung-bok reveal his work on TV.

'It's certain now.'

He and the viewers' praise were certainly welcome. But even more delightful was seeing Lee Kyung-bok's joy. The work he created for himself brought joy to others.

'There's something else I want to create.'

This workshop helped her realize the direction her creative drive was heading. The inspiration that came to her while observing Lee Kyung-bok's work was proof of this.

Pugmalion looked at his opponent with clear eyes.

“Even if you come here, you probably won’t be able to create the work you saw.”

“What is that…”

“What I want to create isn’t a masterpiece.”

What she wanted to create wasn't a masterpiece, a "masterpiece." It was a source of inspiration, a work of art that would bring her joy.

“There is a perfect piece for me.”

It was the 'perfect piece'.

* * *

All field trips have been completed.

Lee Gyeong-bok and his party immediately boarded the train to Osaka.

“Thank you all for your hard work.”

“Oh, no. The CEO had a harder time.”

“Hey, what did I do? I hope it didn’t cause you any inconvenience.”

The Shop Fandom representative said that with a smile and asked.

"You're going back now for dinner. And then you're going straight to the airport? Are there any other plans you've added?"

“Oh, yes, yes. I’ll be flying back home tonight.”

Sighs came out here and there at Lee Gyeong-bok's answer.

“Ugh… Back home already.”

“It’s such a shame, really.”

“Actually, it felt more like I was actually out playing than attending a workshop.”

Lee Kyung-bok and the CEO both smiled at the team members' reactions.

"I'm glad you're satisfied. Then I'll return to my seat."

"thank you."

After the representative left, the team members chatted briefly and then brought up the topic of feedback from the field trip.

Lee Kyung-bok placed the figures of the four companies he had visited on the table.

“Hah, looking at it like this, I don’t understand anything.”

“There is a difference, right?”

“Did you put them in the order of the survey?”

As the team members frowned slightly and focused, Lee Kyung-bok smiled faintly.

“If we go by the order of the survey, this is correct.”

He moved the figure around. Everyone's eyes widened at this.

“Oh, is this the order?”

“I guess there is a difference.”

“Our boss’s perfect child again…!”

Doesn't knowing the order mean you can see the differences? Lee Kyung-bok laughed at that reaction and pointed to the Permuse figures one by one.

"If you look closely, there are differences. This is Happy Face, but the ends are slightly rounded, right? Next is Maximum Works. This one has a slightly rough finish."

"uh…"

“Is that so? Now that I hear it, it seems that way, doesn’t it?”

“Hmm, I can’t tell even if I touch it.”

Despite that explanation, the team members remained confused. Lee Kyung-bok continued to explain the characteristics of the remaining two.

"Gokukiya feels like a mix of the two. And, as expected, the perfect reproduction is a masterpiece."

“Wow… you saw it exactly.”

Pugmalion, who had been silent until then, clapped his hands in admiration without realizing it.

When everyone's eyes turned to her, she also went back to them one by one.

"Happy Face specializes in SD figures, so I think they emphasize a softer feel. Maximum Works, on the other hand, uses an action figure manufacturing method, so they seem to have intentionally left the finish less polished, assuming wear and tear."

“Oh, so that’s why?”

Lee Kyung-bok didn't even know the reason, so he immediately nodded. The other team members laughed and shook their heads at the sight of the two.

“Oh… I guess the machine settings are a bit different when doing post-processing.”

“As expected, it’s Pugmalion.”

“Ugh, I can’t keep up with the conversations of those with perfect eyes.”

Lee Kyung-bok smiled at him, then quickly grabbed a Permusae figurine with a serious expression.

“I want to exclude this one from the four.”

“A masterpiece?”

What he pushed aside was a figure made by Masterpiece.

"While the quality is top-notch, the price tag is too high. Even if it's a premium figure, I don't want it to be something only a select few fans can enjoy."

“Well… there is a certain level of premium.”

“It felt more like luxury than premium.”

While everyone agreed, Pugmalion felt secretly relieved.

If Lee Kyung-bok had chosen Masterpiece, wouldn't the situation have been awkward for her?

But that was only for a moment.

“What do you think, Pugmalion?”

“Me, me?”

"Yes. Still, it's better to consult expert opinions. Of course, I won't blindly follow recommendations, so don't feel pressured."

“Uh, um… just a moment.”

She quickly formed her opinion in response to the question Lee Kyung-bok asked with a smile.

“We can’t tell the difference even if we put them together, but Pugmalion’s opinion is probably better than ours.”

“That’s right. Actually, I feel like anything is okay…”

“This is the most difficult answer for those who decide on ‘anything’.”

“It’s also an answer that is worse than not doing it.”

Meanwhile, other team members also expressed their intention to agree with Lee Kyung-bok's opinion.

Finally, Pugmalion opened his mouth with a cautious expression.

"First of all, Happy Face's quality is a bit disappointing to call it premium. Still, since they're used to mass production, I think it will be widely available."

“Well, the speed at which the supply is released is also an important factor.”

“Yes, the advantage of Maximum Works is that it can be produced as action figures, but I think this can also be a disadvantage.”

“What are the downsides?”

She lifted my elbow slightly to show me.

"The joints have to move, right? Real people are covered in skin, but figurines aren't. The joints have to be visible. That could break the immersion."

“Ah… Well, it feels more like a spherical doll than a figure.”

"That's right. And finally, Gokukiya is just average? It's better quality than Happy Face, but it lacks the detail of Maximum Works."

Everyone else rolled their eyes at Pugmalion's overall assessment.

“Hmm, I guess nothing really clicks.”

"Wouldn't Maximum Works be better? Wouldn't it be better to commission statue figures instead of action figures?"

“But then, doesn’t it feel like you’re giving up your strengths and taking a loss?”

Among them, Lee Gyeong-bok opened his mouth after thinking quietly.

"After hearing the explanation, I've decided on my priorities. I'd also like to hear Pugmalion's choices. Is that okay?"

“Huh? Oh, I…”

She quickly glanced over the three Permusae figures again and exhaled deeply.

“Here, Kokukiya seems like a good place.”

“Gokukiya?”

"Yes. Figure quality is important, but fan satisfaction is paramount. You said the management here is good, didn't you?"

She pointed to herself with a serious expression.

"As for quality, I think I can improve it by discussing it with the company. Furthermore, since I've created a variety of products, I think they'll be more receptive to feedback."

“Oh… I guess that’s true. It feels more open, I guess.”

“If you are an expert in one field, it is difficult to accept something else.”

When the other team members agreed with him, Lee Kyung-bok smiled with satisfaction.

“I agree. I'm glad I brought Pugmalion with me.”

"then?"

“I’ve decided on Kokukiya. I look forward to working with you in the future.”

Pugmalion showed enthusiasm at Lee Gyeong-bok's words.

“Yes! I’ll try my best!”

* * *

After arriving in Osaka, the representative immediately guided the group to the restaurant they had reserved.

“No, it’s Michelin again!?”

“3 stars? It’s 3 stars?”

“Wow… Michelin 3 stars…”

The representative said, satisfied with the expected response.

"Oh, I told you. Dinner is real, right? But can business leave beef out?"

The place he had made a reservation at was a Wagyu specialty restaurant. After being shown to his room, his meal was ready.

“Since the schedule is all finished, those who want to play a simple accompaniment, please feel free to do so.”

“Oh, then I’d like a highball, please. It was pretty good.”

“I’m done. It’s a waste to fill up on alcohol when you have 3-star Wagyu!”

“…You should eat in moderation.”

The meal began in a lively atmosphere. The team members couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

“Wow, this is truly a luxury I never dreamed of.”

“It’s surprising that the first workshop is held overseas, and it’s also so luxurious.”

"This is all thanks to our CEO, who is a world-class professional! He'll even expand into the US later!"

Lee Kyung-bok smiled in the chaotic atmosphere. He then spoke slyly to the representative sitting across from him.

“You ended up staying in Japan, which was different from what was planned. I wonder if it was a waste of time.”

"Huh? Oh, that's to be expected! Actually, thanks to you making a quick decision, I saved time."

Lee Kyung-bok's vendor selection process proceeded faster than expected. Consequently, the CEO had to extend his business trip beyond the original schedule to finalize the contract.

"And don't worry, Kokukiya won't have any reason to refuse. Production will likely be scheduled sooner than you think."

“That’s good then.”

Lee Kyung-bok said that and pondered for a moment. While the CEO glanced at him, he opened his mouth.

“Representative.”

"yes yes."

"First of all, I know you're busy, so I don't mean to burden you. But I have a question."

"Oh my, what am I busy with right now? Please tell me anything."

"thank you."

Lee Kyung-bok cleared his throat briefly and then spoke.

"If this contract goes through, our Korean fans will be receiving shipments from Japan, right? So, there will be more concerns about damage."

"Oh, don't worry about that at all. Of course, we'll deliver it safely and reliably. Especially if it's Kokukiya, that's an easy problem to handle."

"Oh, of course I believe that. What I'd like to ask is something else."

“The other side?”

The representative realized he'd guessed too quickly and answered. He immediately shut his mouth and listened.

"I was browsing the goods shop again recently, wasn't I? I noticed something there."

Lee Kyung-bok said that and glanced around at his team members. The sight of them delightedly looking at each other's favorite items was vivid in his mind.

"My team members and the guests were all very happy."

There were other customers in the goods shop. They were happy to see the goods they were looking for with their own eyes and to see other goods as well.

“But I thought it would be difficult for my Korean fans to have that experience.”

But that experience was something you couldn't experience through online shopping. In Korea, there were few offline merchandise shops, and even those that did have significant IP power struggled to deliver.

"I'd love to offer that same experience to Korean fans, but I can't open a Shop Fandom merchandise shop right away. But I thought there might be a way."

The representative noticed Lee Kyung-bok's intentions.

“Then perhaps…”

“As expected, you are a good person when you act like you are good.”

Lee Kyung-bok smiled and emptied his glass.

He looked at the representative and asked a question.

“What do I need to open a pop-up store?”

You see as much as you know.

And you know as much as you see.

Lee Kyung-bok saw a lot on this business trip.