GIJS

Chapter 117 Chillin Pictures

Cultural Heritage

The blank sheet that Gun-ja took out had only the three characters "Cultural Heritage" written on it.

Ji Hyun-su tilted his head and was the first to speak up after seeing the paper.

"Cultural Heritage? Out of nowhere?"

"Hey, Ji Hyun-su, can you now read Chinese characters too?"

"If you want to get closer to Gun-ja, you should study classical Chinese too."

"I'm already close without studying it."

As Ji Hyun-su and Kwon Tae-woong bickered, Team Leader Seo Eun-woo observed the blank sheet with his chin resting on his hand.

Since it wasn't an obscure character, he understood its meaning as soon as Gun-ja held up the paper.

Cultural Heritage all of a sudden?

Even the iPhone and underwear were surprising, but nothing compared to Cultural Heritage. At least the iPhone and underwear were things you could buy with money.

But Cultural Heritage was different. The mention of Cultural Heritage in this meeting was something Team Leader Seo Eun-woo hadn't imagined.

Representing Seo Eun-woo's feelings, Hyeon-jae spoke up.

"Hyung, Cultural Heritage isn't something you buy or sell."

"That's right."

"Then isn't there no point in advertising it?"

"'Advertising' means to 'widely inform' using the characters for 'broad' and 'inform.' Isn't that the fundamental meaning of advertising?"

"Well, that's true, but..."

"If something needs to be widely known, I want to promote the great Cultural Heritage of this land."

"It's a really good intention, and very scholarly, but... hmm..."

As Hyeon-jae hesitated to finish his sentence, Si-woo completed it without hesitation.

"Ha-ha-ha, but it doesn't make money~"

"...You really have a knack for saying materialistic things so innocently..."

"That's true. I agree with Si-woo's point."

"But wouldn't it be interesting? I can't think of anything other than underwear."

"...Well, I guess it might be interesting..."

"It might also be good for the group's image."

"True. But like Si-woo said, from the company's perspective, it might not be very helpful..."

As the members glanced at Team Leader Seo Eun-woo, who had been resting his chin while listening to their discussion, he finally spoke up.

"Public service ads are still ads, so Gun-ja's opinion isn't wrong."

"Oh."

"Moreover, it's not necessarily unprofitable."

"Oh!"

"Of course, compared to the advertising fees from large corporations, the direct profit might be lower, but considering the potential for image enhancement from the advertisement, it might be more valuable."

"Oh!"

"Advertising Cultural Heritage might not be as bad as it seems."

The members' faces lit up with excitement at Team Leader Seo Eun-woo's words. On the other hand, Gun-ja's expression darkened slightly.

He had given his opinion as requested, but now he worried that only his opinion would be accepted...

Sometimes, shouldn't one also respect the opinions of colleagues?

At that moment, Tae-woong patted Gun-ja's shoulder.

"Why the long face? Are you worried that only your opinion will be accepted?"

"!"

"Seeing your surprise, it must be right."

"It's not that. I'm just surprised that Tae-woong knows the term 'accepted'..."

"You think I'm really a fool, don't you?"

"Actually, Tae-woong, you're right."

"What? You really think I'm a fool?"

"No. It's true that I'm concerned that only my opinion might be accepted."

"Oh, that."

Tae-woong responded indifferently.

"But that's not the only opinion that was accepted."

"?"

"Everyone just thought it looked fun and picked it. Isn't that right?"

"Yeah. And we haven't even accepted anything yet, so why worry?"

"Ha-ha-ha, Gun-ja, you're making a fuss~"

"I'll follow Gun-ja's opinion from now on. That's my will."

"Oh, scary. Are you going to cover your room with Gun-ja's pictures?"

"Not to that extent."

"Crazy, but you do have pictures, don't you?"

"Ha-ha-ha, I don't want to know more~"

Hearing his colleagues, Gun-ja felt much more at ease. Although he wanted to do the Cultural Heritage advertisement, he was willing to give it up if it conflicted with his colleagues' opinions.

How refreshing, he really have good colleagues.

"First of all, I understand everyone's opinions. Although there are individual preferences, is it okay to think that the most preferred option is the Cultural Heritage public service advertisement?"

"Yep!"

With the opinions collected, it was now time for Team Leader Seo Eun-woo to take action.

The first advertisement with an idol being a public service ad.

It was a novel experience, but upon consideration, it wasn't a bad choice.

First of all, it fit perfectly with the group's scholarly identity. Moreover, if things went well, it could have a significant effect on the image enhancement.

Finding the job didn't take long. On the online platform for national projects, the Public Procurement Service, Team Leader Seo Eun-woo quickly found the announcement from the Cultural Heritage Administration.

[Plan for Producing Video Content to Promote Our Cultural Heritage]

This looks good.

Although the remuneration wasn't high, the value was in the additional effects rather than profitability, so money wasn't a concern.

Moreover, since the group had already sold over 700,000 albums, there was no need to worry about not making enough money or being judged by higher-ups.

The next day, during the meeting time, Team Leader Seo Eun-woo shared the video content announcement from the Cultural Heritage Administration with the members.

"Wow, you already found the job?"

"Of course, our Team Leader Seo is so efficient."

"Not really. The real work starts now. First, we need to find a production company."

"A production company? Oh, a company to make the video?"

"Yes. Although Solar system has its own production company, they are currently working on content for other groups and the rates don't match for such light production. We need to find a small and creative production company that can move flexibly."

"Ah."

"I've already done some searching. Here's the portfolio of the production company."

When Team Leader Seo Eun-woo pressed the remote, a video started playing on the screen. It was a portfolio of video production companies that Team Leader Seo Eun-woo had found.

"Oh-."

"Wow, it's pretty..."

The members were impressed by the trendy and clean work of the small production companies, which didn't look like they were from a small scale.

"I like them all."

"Yeah. Where should we choose?"

"Honestly, I'm not an expert, so everything looks good to me!"

Except for one person, Hyun-si-woo.

"Hmm."

"Si-woo is being serious for once."

"I have a different opinion~"

"What? Why aren't you laughing? It's weird."

"Everything looks good, but I wonder if this is the best choice~"

"Really? Are you just nitpicking without an alternative?"

"I have an alternative~"

Hyun-si-woo, who was more serious than usual, continued in a serious tone.

"How about we make it ourselves~?"

"Huh?"

"You mean make the advertisement video ourselves?"

"Hey, what nonsense. How can we make it?"

"Ha-ha-ha, I guess you're not confident~"

"Of course not. We need to have experience..."

"I'm confident~"

"What kind of unfounded confidence is that?"

Tae-woong and Hyun-su were negative about Hyun-si-woo's confidence, but Team Leader Seo Eun-woo's thoughts were a bit different.

"Hmm."

A public service advertisement made by the members themselves.

Perhaps it could become content in itself?

After quickly organizing his thoughts, Team Leader Seo Eun-woo spoke again.

"Members producing the video themselves..."

"Team Leader, is this a joke? Please scold Si-woo for us."

"I think it's a good idea."

"Huh?"

"You're recognized singers. It may seem arrogant, but just the fact that you're participating in the Cultural Heritage Administration public service advertisement would likely be warmly welcomed by them."

"Is that so?"

"If the label 'advertisement made by the group' is added, the impact of the video will likely increase. Even if the quality of the video is lower than expected."

"But we can't just release a low-quality video as an advertisement."

"Yes. That's why we need to control the quality. Additionally, we need to recruit staff to help with the video quality. However, the main responsibility for making the video will be on you."

"Wow, Team Leader, you're serious."

"Yes. I'm serious."

"But Team Leader, why are you suddenly fixated on self-production?"

"I thought we could make the process of producing this public service advertisement into a reality show for 7IN."

"!"

Team Leader Seo Eun-woo's plan had two stages.

First, attract attention with the title 'The First Idol Self-Produced Public Service Advertisement in the Country.'

Second, create additional content for fans by making the process of 7IN producing the advertisement into a reality show.

With the first album's activities almost ending, the content for fans was diminishing. While fans would enjoy a regular advertisement, the amount of content to enjoy, chew on, and savor was limited.

But what if the process of producing a public service advertisement was made into a reality show?

For fans, it would be a much more rewarding event.

Hearing Team Leader Seo Eun-woo's explanation, the members finally nodded in agreement.

"Now that you put it that way, it does sound pretty convincing."

"Ahahaha, I'm glad you think so. Self-production is a great idea!"

"But do you think the Cultural Heritage Administration will approve it?"

"Well, that's something we need to negotiate from now on. We should start by meeting with the person in charge of video production at the Cultural Heritage Administration."

"Wow, so we're really going to make a video?"

"...I'm feeling a bit nervous about it."

"Yeah, it seems like it could be fun if we actually do it."

Seeing the excitement on the members' faces, Team Leader Seo felt a sense of pride. The self-production project for 7IN's public service advertisement had gained momentum in no time.

* * *

The next day, Gong Yoo-min, the cultural heritage promotion department's video production manager, was checking new contact emails.

"Nothing new today..."

Indeed, the project titled 'Plan for Video Content to Promote Our Cultural Heritage' was not popular.

Even though they had posted the project on the national procurement platform, it was mostly a formality. The established production companies that had always worked with the Cultural Heritage Administration would likely take the job.

Manager Gong had given up on having high expectations. It was disappointing to see old-fashioned promotional videos, but listening to pleasant music helped lift her spirits.

With five minutes left before lunch, she decided to watch a couple of 7IN's stage performances.

"I Got 10 New Virtues-"

As she hummed along while watching the performance on her computer, someone nudged her wireless earphones, causing them to fall off.

"Oh."

Feeling disgruntled, she turned around to find her superior, Officer Jeong Yun-cheol, standing there.

"Manager Gong, I told you not to watch stuff like this at work."

"It's lunchtime..."

"Lunch ends when you finish eating, not when you waste the remaining time. Stop lounging around."

"..."

"Do you think videos like this are appropriate? Do you think the taxpayers who fund our Cultural Heritage Administration would approve?"

Manager Gong swallowed the retort, "I'm also a taxpayer," which was unlikely to be well received. Instead, she endured while thinking of the 7IN members' faces, which provided her with patience. Their charming visuals were like a symbol of perseverance for Manager Gong.

"After all, I'm a public servant."

As a public servant, one must know how to be patient.

Reflecting on what Gong Yoo-min had said, she opened her email again and found a new contact.

"Huh?"

The production company was called Chillin Pictures. She liked the name right away.

The content of the email indicated that it was a newly established company. Although she couldn't assess their production capabilities, Manager Gong was intrigued by the company's name.

Even though it seemed likely that established companies would win the contract, it wouldn't hurt to have a meeting with this new company.

After a moment of hesitation, Manager Gong decided to call the contact point provided in the email.

The meeting was quickly scheduled. The next day, it was set to take place in the Cultural Heritage Administration's internal conference room. Though she found it a bit odd that a public café wasn't suitable for the meeting, Manager Gong thought nothing of it.

On the day of the meeting.

"!?"

"Hello, we're Chillin Pictures."

"———!?!?!?"

Seeing the reality of Chillin Pictures, Manager Gong could only stare in shock.