GIJS

Chapter 120 No Presentation Like This Before

The decision-makers for the Cultural Heritage Promotion Content had been looking burdened since the morning.

"Ms. Gong, I heard one more team joined the competition PT today?"

"Oh, that..."

"Why are they adding such a hassle? It's not like video production is a new thing."

"Ah..."

"Honestly, we all know what the outcome will be. Making new bidders go through this just wastes their effort."

"But you never know."

"You never know what? We've checked all the bid application documents. Chillin Pictures? They're a team with less than a year of experience."

"Well, that's true..."

"Do you think they can handle our work without any experience with national agencies? Plus, they don't have a portfolio. I don't understand why you're favoring this company."

"Just give them a chance to present."

"Of course, we'll watch since they're participating in the competitive PT, but don't do this again. What's most important to us? Stability. The Cultural Heritage Administration isn't some YouTube group looking for attention. The priority is selecting a company that can produce stable and clean promotional videos."

"Yes..."

The decision-makers continued to grumble at Gong Yumin, and they were visibly uncomfortable even in the central auditorium.

"This should just be wrapped up quickly."

Even though an unexpected hassle had come up, they couldn't afford to brush it aside. After all, they had to hear what the team participating in the competition PT had to present.

"I doubt I'll like it, but..."

"Who would?"

Finally, the competition presentation of Chillin Pictures began under the direction of Gong Yumin. The first team to present was Seokyoung Film, which had previously collaborated with national agencies such as the Cultural Heritage Administration and the Election Commission.

The competitive PT was dull and clichéd. However, what mattered to the decision-makers was the fact that Seokyoung Film had previous experience working with the Cultural Heritage Administration.

"Well done. Seokyoung Film has worked with the Cultural Heritage Administration before, correct?"

"Yes. We produced two videos during the Goryeo Celadon promotional project."

"Great. You must understand the tone we're looking for."

"Of course."

The next teams, Yeongwang Planning and BB Film, were similar. All had experience with small projects in collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Administration and were participating in the competitive PT.

Among these, the decision-makers' preference leaned towards Seokyoung Film. Even though they only made conventional promotional videos, their experience of over ten years was a plus.

Moreover, Seokyoung Film's representative, Joo Seokyoung, was a distant relative of one of the decision-makers, Joo Changsoo.

"Mr. Joo, what do you think so far?"

"Well... I'd like to give it to Seokyoung Film."

"Ha ha, it seems you're favoring them after all."

"Hey, if you say that, it sounds like I received a bribe or something~."

While they joked, the final team, Chillin Pictures, began their competitive PT.

As the first page of their presentation appeared, looking as if written with brushstrokes, the auditorium dimmed partially and focused lights illuminated the stage.

"Huh? What's this?"

"Ms. Gong, what is this..."

Then, a tall man in a deep blue robe appeared holding a folding fan.

The presenter, who seemed to be the speaker, faced away from the decision-makers, turning his back to them.

A presenter turning their back? What kind of nonsense is this?

However, before the three decision-makers could say anything, the presenter's resonant voice filled the auditorium.

"Long, long ago, in a time even older than old..."

As the presenter's voice filled the auditorium, everyone inside was immediately overwhelmed.

"Pansori?"

The first line from the presenter was unmistakably the 'aniri' of Pansori. It wasn't a mere imitation. The three people from the Cultural Heritage Administration, who were knowledgeable about their culture, were captivated by the presenter's deep and resounding voice, flowing like a waterfall. The performer's demeanor and gestures were lively and vigorous.

Despite being familiar with Pansori, the presenter immediately captured their attention.

The presenter suddenly turned around and dramatically opened the folding fan. The graceful and elegant figure beneath the neat hat seemed to radiate light on stage. The beauty of the figure could stir anyone's heart, regardless of gender or age.

Had there ever been such a beautiful Pansori performer?

While admiring the presentation, the pages began to turn. The screen displayed a landscape painting of Toham Mountain.

The landscape painting zoomed in as if by a camera, soon revealing the beautiful temple of Bulguksa and the Seokgatap pagoda within it. The entire scenery was depicted not as a photograph but as an Eastern ink painting.

"In the southern region, at the foot of Toham Mountain in Gyeongju, a temple was built to enshrine the Buddha..."

The singer's resonant voice began to describe the two pagodas of Bulguksa, the Dabo Pagoda and the Seokgatap Pagoda.

Dabo Pagoda, famous for its depiction on the 10-won coin and known as one of the most ornate pagodas in Korean temples, was not the focus. Instead, the presentation highlighted the simple and elegant Seokgatap Pagoda.

"Among them, nothing compares to the Seokgatap Pagoda, known for its shadowless feature, praised by later generations for a long time..."

The decision-makers quickly realized Chillin Pictures' intention.

The team intended to make a video focused on the Seokgatap Pagoda.

From the moment the presenter began speaking, or rather, from the moment they saw his broad back, the decision-makers were absorbed by the stage.

Unlike other production companies that started with the same old greetings and introductions, Chillin Pictures dove straight into the core of their presentation, using a method familiar to the Cultural Heritage Administration officials.

The well-articulated and skillful voice of the presenter captivated the hearts of the decision-makers, including Joo Changsoo, who had already made up about 70% of his decision.

"This feels more like watching a performance of [Immortal Classic Songs] than a presentation."

"Indeed."

The presenter did not give them time to chat. With his emotionally charged voice, he began to overwhelm the audience.

The legend of the Seokgatap Pagoda, the heart-wrenching story of Asadal and Asanyeo...

Pabab-!

Suddenly, the presenter folded the fan he was holding and dramatically pointed it toward the audience.

"You know, you know, we all know!"

As he concluded his speech forcefully, the Seokgatap Pagoda on the presentation screen seemed to dissolve like a mirage.

For the young people of this land, the story had become a vague one, like its nickname, 'shadowless'...

Paaa-!

With a final flourish of the fan, the presenter smiled at the audience.

"How about sharing this beautiful and sorrowful story of the stone craftsmen with the young people of this land?"

As the presenter finished speaking, a large moon appeared on the presentation screen, accompanied by the distant sound of a wooden clapper.

With the clear sound of the clapper as a base, traditional Korean instrumental melodies played, reminiscent of the traditional song [Shilla's Moonlit Night].

The combination was more than enough to make the hearts of the fifty-something decision-makers thump.

"...Shilla's Moonlit Night."

"I sang that at the karaoke yesterday."

The presenter, who had overwhelmed the audience with his spoken Pansori, now began performing a more composed Pansori.

Using [Shilla's Moonlit Night] as a reference, the Pansori performance combined with traditional Korean instruments told the legend of Asadal and Asanyeo related to the Seokgatap Pagoda. Even though it was a well-known legend, hearing it as Pansori gave it a completely different feeling.

As the Pansori performance, lasting just over two minutes, concluded, the decision-makers unknowingly showed expressions of regret.

"Is it already over?"

"Oh..."

After finishing the song, the presenter removed his hat and bowed politely, introducing himself to the decision-makers.

"Hello. I am Yu Gunja from Chillin Pictures."

The presentation continued with introductions of the company and its members.

Had it been a regular presentation, no one would have listened, but the decision-makers, already captivated by the previous performance, were fully engaged.

"So, you're saying this is a video production company made up of current idols?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Wait a minute. The team's name is Chillin?"

"Yes."

"I think I know them. My Seunghee really likes that group."

"I remember too. I think I heard my wife talking about them."

"They're famous then."

"Ha ha, not really."

"If such famous people handle our video, it would naturally be a good thing for us!"

The decision-makers' attitudes were extremely positive. However, Joo Changsoo, the head of the group, still seemed to have some reservations.

"But there's one part I don't understand."

"...?"

"Why would such a famous idol group want to create promotional content for the Cultural Heritage Administration? There must be other good opportunities."

Yu Gunja answered honestly to Joo Changsoo's skeptical question.

"We believe that the Cultural Heritage Administration and we can mutually benefit from this. The Administration can create impactful promotional videos, and we can turn that process into a reality show."

"...Hmm, I see."

After the presentation and Q&A session of Chillin Pictures ended, the three decision-makers began their final selection meeting.

In fact, by the time Chillin Pictures' presentation ended, the decision-makers' minds were already made up.

"I think I understand why Ms. Gong pushed for this."

"Honestly, I was a bit surprised by how thoroughly they prepared for this competitive PT."

"Yes. The young people are impressive."

However, making a final decision was not easy.

"But turning that process into a reality show..."

"Ah, that part concerns me a bit too. It means they want to make the process of working with a national agency into additional content."

"Well, it should be fine. It's not like they plan to film in a restricted area."

"But there hasn't been a case like this before..."

"That's true."

"Hmm."

"Mr. Joo, what should we do?"

"We will follow your opinion, Mr. Joo."

As the other decision-makers looked on.

"..."

After a long period of contemplation, Joo Changsoo finally spoke.