NOTICE: Many of the novels have been removed because they might cause violations, which we were not aware of earlier.
Episode 407 – How Many? (1)
Japanese Tweety.
[Japanese Trends]
[#Perfect_Face (7,205 tweets)]
[#イケメン_Purple(6,139 tweets)]
[#Perfect_Spot (5,971 tweets)]
[#Perfect_Business (3,881 tweets)]
The aftermath of Lee Kyung-bok's Vlog broadcast swept through the place.
[No, this is cheating? This guy's physically at god level, but he's so handsome!?]
[Hey, hey, don't you know? The face is part of the body, a "physical" thing, right? It's already been flagged that Mr. Purple is handsome.
[Wow, I can't believe this! I watch it again, and no matter where I pause, it's like a scene from a pictorial! Mr. Purple's suit is incredible!]
[Huh? Can't you make secondary goods with this video? You can even make photo cards with just screenshots?]
Among them, there was the most talk about Lee Kyung-bok's appearance, which was revealed in the video from the second day.
But that wasn't all.
[Shunko cried while watching today's broadcast. Did all my followers hear it?! Purple-san, you spoke Japanese to her? Shunko was so touched that she's replaying it hundreds of times right now! Shunko is in total bliss mode!]
[Purple's first Japanese, "Arigatou," I think I'm going to get addicted! No, no, it's even dubbed in the membership video! Is there a difference between synthetic voices and real ones?]
[Is this what it feels like when Mr. Purple answers? Hey, hey, do Koreans have a monopoly on this kind of thing?]
[If you learn Korean, Purple will read your chats! That's great! You'll master Korean! I was so motivated by Purple's Japanese on today's broadcast.
The brief Japanese phrases he spoke to Japanese fans during the broadcast also became a hot topic. While it was a special broadcast for Japanese fans, it also left them with some questions.
[More than that. Mr. Purple, why are you hiding your face like that? If you take off your sunglasses, you'll look like a real punk!?]
[I wonder if there's something wrong with my eyes? Surprisingly, eyes are an important part of one's appearance!]
"Hey, are you kidding me? Your eyes don't match that face? That's a godsend! There has to be some other reason!"
[Isn't it a shame that someone recognizes your face? Like, you were bullied as a student?]
[Huh? Huh-? Are you an idiot?! Are you serious? How can someone like that get bullied?!]
Even with her eyes covered, isn't her appearance something everyone would recognize? A flood of comments emerged, claiming they couldn't understand why her face was covered.
[Ha, that's too bad. Are you saying you weren't even watching all of Purple's videos when you were curious about him? He was in an interview with the Korean webzine Metagamer?]
[I'll leave a clip so my followers don't make the same mistake! Purple, you tried to win with skill, not looks. Your mind is perfect too. www]
[You guys didn't know? Purple C was perfect from the start, as expected? Seriously, why aren't there any streamers like this in Japan!?]
Several true fans offered answers. Links to previous interview videos also helped new fans understand the situation.
[Huh? This person actually exists? Are you kidding me? Or is he actually a digital human created by AI?]
[Don't talk nonsense when you're an idiot. The vlog video is already proof! Are you trying to say that the entire video is CG?]
[If I had a boss like this, I'd even go to a black company! No, please let me! I'd live off of the company for the rest of my life!]
[There are so many desperate guys, I burst out laughing. Wow, what the heck, if it's under Mr. Purple, it might be okay to have a job for life? No, no, the ability to work together comes first! (Laughs)]
As the popularity of Lee Kyung-bok spread on Twitter, Japanese fans expressed joy, but also envy and regret.
[I'm so jealous of Koreans. Mr. Purple, there's a chance we'll meet by chance, right? It's not a 0% chance, right? Then I can live with hope!]
[Hey, this won't be Purple's last visit to Japan, right? Since he's signed a contract with a Japanese company, won't he come again?]
[Perhaps it's a relief that Purple C's second-hand goods are made in Japan? Now, living in Japan means you won't be discriminated against when purchasing goods!]
"Ah, when are the second batch of goods coming out?! I'll double my part-time job! Purple looks great right now, so hurry up and make it!"
In Korea and Japan, waiting for perfect goods was no different.
* * *
The next day, late in the morning.
Team Perfect's regular meeting was held.
“Uh, can we just start like this?”
Pugmalion, attending the meeting for the first time, whispered softly to Madman. It was her first time, and the mention of a meeting had her dressed formally, though not quite in a suit.
But the other team members were dressed casually, as if they were just out for a walk at home.
"Oh, yes, yes. It feels a bit like a study group in college. Of course, that doesn't mean the content is light."
"aha…"
As she was pledging to be more relaxed the next time she attended the meeting, Lee Kyung-bok lightly clapped his hands.
“Okay, the drinks are ready, so let’s start the meeting.”
At those words, the team members all focused. Park Joo-ho stood up first and moved his finger.
“I received an email from Shop Fandom regarding the Gokukiya contract.”
"oh!"
“Already!?”
The first item on the agenda was the news everyone had been waiting for. Park Joo-ho opened the email and calmly summarized it.
"As expected, the contract is going smoothly. While the settlement rate for existing consignment production of goods with Shop Fandom is 30%, this time, under the condition of an exclusive contract with Permusae, the rate has been raised to 40%."
“Ugh…! This is it!”
“The Shop Fandom representative did it!”
As the team members applauded him, Cho Dae-han quickly added.
“Hey, this is all thanks to our CEO and Pugmalion who laid a solid foundation for us!”
“Oh, that’s right!”
“This wouldn’t have happened if there had been no Permusae in the first place.”
Everyone's attention turned to Lee Kyung-bok and Pugmalion. Both were smiling contentedly.
“It was really helpful.”
“No, it wasn’t that hard.”
"Still, it was an unexpected gift. If Pugmalion hadn't thought of us and prepared it, it wouldn't have happened."
At Lee Kyung-bok's words, she couldn't stand the clown ascending. Park Joo-ho smiled faintly at him, then coughed lightly.
——————
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"However, this isn't an absolute requirement. Premium figures have separate requirements."
“Separately?”
"When collaborating with a game company, we have to pay royalties. The cost is split evenly between Shop Fandom and us. If there are no objections, we'll proceed with the contract with Gokukiya based on these terms."
Lee Kyung-bok and other team members also nodded.
“Oh, then premium goods are practically less than 40%.”
“I don’t know what the collaboration conditions will be.”
“But the settlement will be higher than the existing 30%, right?”
Still, it was definitely a positive change. While everyone was agreeing, Pugmalion glanced around and then opened his mouth.
“Hey, instead of that collaboration, how about starting with an original concept?”
“Is it the original?”
“Did we have anything original to do…?”
As everyone else looked puzzled, she looked at Lee Kyung-bok. When he noticed her gaze and nodded, she moved her hand.
"Well, I prepared something yesterday. I think it would be easier if you saw it for yourself."
Pugmalion moved his hand to bring up a hologram. Soon, a new document appeared next to the mail.
[Team Perfect –Black Company-]
Below the title were sketches of concept designs. There were three different types.
“Oh, this is me.”
“Next to it is a pergola.”
“Humanoid suits you well?”
“But what is that bear next to it?”
“Is it a half-moon bear?”
On the broadcast, there was CEO Lee Kyung-bok, Park Joo-ho from Perpago, and next to them was a crescent moon bear character holding a camera.
'Thank goodness. It doesn't seem so bad.'
Pugmalion took a deep breath, relieved by her teammates' reactions. She recalled the explanation she had prepared.
“Ah! Is that it? That’s what they called the team leader ‘bear’ in Japan!”
“Me? A bear?”
“Yes! Well, there were some comments at the arcade center saying that the team leader was cute like a bear.”
Cho Daehan was the first to recognize the origin of the concept. Pugmalion immediately nodded.
"Yes, yes, that's right. You said you were a cameraman on Twitter, but you're actually a producer, right? And I thought it would be good to capture our native Korean feel, so I chose the concept of the Asiatic black bear from Jirisan Mountain. I tentatively titled it 'Half-Moon Bear PD.'"
Choi Byeong-hun blinked at the explanation, then opened his mouth wide.
"Wow! Did you guys see that? Did you see that!? Inma, what did I say!? I told you I have a face that can be eaten too?! Oh! And Jirisan, ugh! You know what I'm talking about. I'm also really good at editing! The concept is perfect, it's perfect!"
When he started to show off in an exaggerated way, Madman and Park Joo-ho immediately glared at him.
“Eugh, it’s nice to hear some compliments after a long time.”
“There are many different tastes in the world.”
Everyone laughed at that, and then Pugmalion looked back at Madman and Jo Daehan while holding my hand.
"Uh, I don't have any clear characters in mind for those two yet. For now, I've thought of three."
"Huh? Me? Oh, no, no! I'm fine. These three are the foundation, aren't they?"
"That's also true, but it's better to focus on a small group of people at first. And if you force the characters, fans might be like, 'What the heck? What the heck?'"
Pugmalion was relieved by their answers. The atmosphere was cheerful, but Park Joo-ho remained cool.
"I appreciate your efforts, Pugmalion, but the first premium goods are important. Their sales will be a barometer of success."
Those words changed the entire atmosphere. But he paid no attention and continued speaking.
“I think it would be a more stable choice to collaborate with a character that fans are familiar with.”
“Oh, that’s true…”
"No, the original has its merits too. Inma originally disliked things that stood out."
It seemed like Pugmalion was intimidated by him, but Choi Byeong-hun expressed an opposing opinion.
"Of course, what Park said isn't wrong, but there's no guarantee that an original will flop. In fact, if this one does well, it'll make future contracts easier. Why? Because if we succeed as an original, we can show that we have nothing to regret."
“Hmm, why are you thinking like that?”
“No, this kid…!”
As the two playfully bickered again, Lee Gyeong-bok smiled and raised his hand to mediate.
“Calm down, both sides have good opinions.”
He listened to the two stories and tried to gauge the miracle.
'Either way, it's definitely a good choice.'
Because the story between the two friends was true. If each had their own strengths, which would be the better choice?
'Then you should do what you want to do.'
Lee Kyung-bok made his decision. He smiled at Pugmalion.
"Thank you so much for preparing this. As you all know, firsts always have a special meaning, don't they?"
He looked around at his teammates. They all nodded in agreement.
“I think starting with originals, the first step in our premium lineup, will be meaningful to our fans.”
Pugmalion's eyes widened at his answer. Lee Gyeong-bok looked into his eyes and smiled brightly.
“Mr. Pugmalion, please give me a specific design.”
"…yes!"
Seeing that smile cleared her mind.
“I’ll do it right!”
Her previously limited inspiration was completely unleashed.
* * *
Early afternoon after the meeting.
Lee Kyung-bok was traveling in Park Joo-ho's car.
“I told you to just take the subway.”
“Still, we have to be careful for now.”
“Okay, okay. But are you just going to go this time too?”
“Your aunt called you separately.”
“Well, this time things are a bit different.”
It was because of a promise I had made to meet Yang Gyu-ri before my business trip. I had originally planned to meet her the day after I returned home, but Yang Gyu-ri postponed it, saying she needed to recover from the travel fatigue.
“They’re all here. And this.”
“Mask? Why?”
Park Joo-ho stopped the car and handed me a black mask.
“This time, just wear a mask instead of sunglasses.”
“Just a mask?”
“It’s better to just show your eyes now.”
“Oh, right. Thank you!”
Lee Kyung-bok quickly tucked his sunglasses into his shirt pocket. For some unknown reason, it was because Yang Gyu-ri had asked him to dress neatly.
He got out of the car and checked the meeting place.
'Is today a business day?'
It was the department store where I'd previously gone private shopping with Yang Gyu-ri. I wondered if they'd give me another gift, but today was a regular business day.
He immediately called Yang Gyu-ri.
<Hey, Gyeongbok.>
“Oh, yes. Auntie, I’m here.”
"Is that right? Then let's just come in. Is there a girl at the entrance who can guide you? If you tell her my name, she'll tell you."
“Oh, okay. See you later.”
Lee Kyung-bok hung up and followed Yang Gyu-ri's instructions. The information desk employee politely led the way.
“You can come this way.”
The place I was guided to was the VIP elevator I had used before.
'Are we going to the VIP lounge?'
Having experienced it before, I didn't think much of it. But unlike before, the elevator went to a higher floor.
I wondered what it was, but soon the elevator door opened.
“We have arrived at the First Lounge.”
“First Lounge?”
“This lounge is only available to the highest level VIP members.”
“Oh, yes. Thank you.”
Lee Kyung-bok left the elevator, wondering if he had come to the right place.
Despite its size, there weren't many customers. In fact, there were more employees waiting.
‘There are no people at all… Ah.’
Fortunately, as I walked in a little further, I saw Yang Gyu-ri. But across from her was another woman.
Soon, Yang Gyu-ri also saw Lee Gyeong-bok and waved with a bright smile.
“Gyeongbok, come here!”
Lee Kyung-bok waved his hand back and then his expression hardened.
'What kind of person is he?'
As I approached, the aura of the woman with her back turned grew stronger. Its nature was different from that of good or bad luck.
Only a huge presence was conveyed.
“Auntie, am I a little late?”
“Aida, Aida. Let me say hello first.”
Yang Gyu-ri waved her hand and cautiously pointed to the woman opposite her. Lee Gyeong-bok's gaze followed her.
From the outside, he looked to be in his 40s or 50s. But he had a different vibe.
Lee Kyung-bok took off his mask and greeted them politely.
“Hello. My name is Lee Kyung-bok.”
A twinkle flashed across her eyes as she looked at his face. The intense energy gradually faded into warmth.
“What do you think? Is the character good?”
When Yang Gyu-ri asked with a proud expression, she burst out laughing.
“No, Bodhisattva. Isn’t this too much?”
"yes?"
“What kind of relationship do we have that you’ve hidden such a treasure away like this?”
Yang Gyu-ri burst into laughter at the following words.
"Oh, you're right. Oh, Kyungbok, please sit down. This person is the one who helped me with the private shopping last time."
"Help? Oh, those VIP benefits…"
Yang Gyu-ri wasn't a VIP member, but she enjoyed its benefits. She was clearly someone who demonstrated "flexibility," to borrow a phrase.
“Nice to meet you. May I call you Kyungbok?”
“Oh, yes, yes. Feel free to call me.”
“Okay, Mr. Kyungbok. This is the kind of person I am.”
She handed over her business card with a faint smile. Before Lee Kyung-bok could even read the writing on the card, she spoke.
Lee Gyeong-bok realized this when he heard those words.
“I am Seo Young-seon, in charge of the Aurora Group department store division.”
The 'flexibility' that Yang Gyu-ri spoke of was only a very small part.