RAP STAR

Chapter 71 [verse 12. Gwanju Up!]

"Are you referring to the baseball team, Gwangju Tigers? What is this about?" Sanghyun asked, wearing a puzzled expression.

"Well, we have a proposal for Sanghyun student. Would now be a good time for you?"

"What kind of proposal?"

"It's a bit lengthy to explain over the phone. If it's convenient for you, I could come to where you are."

Sanghyun pondered for a moment. Typically, proposals that couldn't be handled over the phone and required face-to-face meetings were part of the business realm. It was about leveraging a smiling face to make a sale. However, no matter how he thought about it, Gwangju Tigers wouldn't be calling him to sell something, unless they were scammers.

"I'm currently at the Hyundai Department Store. Could you come here?"

"Near Gwangju Station, right? I'll be there soon. It'll take about fifteen minutes."

"Come nearby and give me a call. I'll be buying something."

"Sure. I'll be right there."

Sanghyun eventually couldn't resist his curiosity and decided to meet with Assistant Gowonkuk.

"What could Gwangju Tigers want from me?" he wondered.

A little later, while Sanghyun was choosing a gift and waiting for it to be wrapped, Assistant Gowonkuk called again.

"I'm heading down now."

Sanghyun met Assistant Gowonkuk at a traditional rice cake cafe in front of Hyundai Department Store. Assistant Gowonkuk had a somewhat embarrassed demeanor but also exuded an air of ruggedness, with wrinkles on his shirt sleeves and an overall disheveled appearance.

As Sanghyun sipped his coffee, he listened intently to Assistant Gowonkuk's story. His expression gradually became more intrigued.

"So, you want to purchase the rights to Gwangju UP?" Sanghyun asked.

"I'm not sure if you're aware, but the term 'rights' isn't exactly a precise legal term. So, what I mean is..."

"Oh, I understand what you're getting at, Assistant Gowonkuk. You're looking to obtain exclusive usage rights for Gwangju UP as a cheer song for Gwangju Tigers, along with the rights for derivative works like arrangement?"

"Yes, exactly."

Assistant Gowonkuk smiled warmly as he spoke, "It's not just poking around, you know?"

Sanghyun could sense the earnestness of the Gwangju Tigers' promotional team behind Assistant Gowonkuk's overly polite demeanor. It was clear that Assistant Gowonkuk appeared to be quite desperate.

"What happens if I agree to your proposal? Will Gwangju Tigers only obtain the user rights?" Sanghyun inquired.

"Yes, that's correct. Naturally, Sanghyun student would be the copyright owner. To explain briefly, we would first register with the Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) under your authorization. Then, through KBOP, the marketing subsidiary of KBO..."

"Just a moment. You mentioned registering with KOMCA?"

"Yes. That's necessary for us to be able to utilize it through KBOP."

Sanghyun asked Assistant Gowonkuk various questions. He inquired about revenue shares honestly and also asked about methods of royalty payments and usage limits.

Royalties for baseball cheer songs had been set since 2001. Under the revised Copyright Act in July 2000, royalties could be collected for music used in professional sports facilities. However, the exact amount wasn't fixed; it was calculated based on a rate of 0.2% of admission revenue.