Chapter 91 Chapter 91
Lia was taking an online class in a quiet corner on the seventh floor of the TV station when she was called into the conference room. With the new semester just starting, she had tried to squeeze her classes into three days a week, hoping to balance her studies and work, but conflicts were inevitable.
In addition to her regular text-based study courses, she also took an elective course, "The Development of Modern Ethics." The course was tight and complex, so whenever she missed a class due to work, she would ask a classmate to tape it back for her.
She rested her notebook on her knees, the headphone cord wrapped around her index finger, gently straining. The professor's voice came from the other end of the headset, accompanied by the rustling of lecture pages:
"...Bentham pointed out in his Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation that morality is not about duty, but about
Happiness—more precisely, the total amount of happiness brought about by the results. She was about to put pen to paper when footsteps came from the other end of the corridor. Zhao Hejin bent down, passing through the makeshift light stands and scaffolding.
He found the little corner where she was crouching. He was the director responsible for coordinating the contestants, and normally they didn't interact much. His expression was a little anxious now, and he didn't say much, simply motioning for her to close her computer and follow him.
"What happened?" Lia asked as she put away her headphones and stood up. Zhao Hejin paused and glanced back at her, seeming a little surprised. She had been asked to attend the meeting on short notice, and he had assumed she knew something about the situation.
I didn't expect him to know anything. "...It's about Jin Yuchan. Didn't you watch the news?" Lia's expression changed slightly. She had indeed not paid attention to the news for a few days. She was in class, in meetings, and coordinating with stage rehearsals.
Too busy to get away. It's hard to say whether she was intentionally avoiding it or just ignoring it, but she almost forgot about it for the time being. Seeing this, Zhao Hejin took out his phone, tapped a few times quickly, and handed the screen to her.
"Kwon Ji-yong's unreleased demo melody is highly similar to the 'Kpop Star' contestant's own song, sparking heated discussion" The news title says it all.
"Star"... Any one of them could be published for ten days or half a month, not to mention that they all happened at the same time. As for who the unlucky contestant was, it was not that important.
Lia stared at the words for a while, not understanding what this had to do with him. Zhao Hejin took a few steps forward, but seeing that she was frozen in place, he had to slow down and wait for her.
Lia shook her head, breathed a sigh of relief, handed the phone back to Zhao Hejin, and followed him. The two entered the conference room one after the other. Not long after, the door was pushed open again.
The man who came in was a thin middle-aged man with gray hair and glasses. He had the air of a superior. Following behind him was the
Lia recognized Jin Junnan, the chief editor of the STAR program team, as he was a familiar face who occasionally appeared on the recording site.
Zhao Hejin hurriedly stood up and poured water for them both. His movements were smooth and efficient, and within two minutes, they were quietly sitting back down. Lia also stood up, bowed politely, and sat down. "Are you still waiting for someone?" she asked softly.
Zhao Hejin nodded and was about to answer when the door was pushed open again. Yang Xianshi walked in.
The middle-aged man who had just glanced at Lia stood up with a faint smile on his face and extended his hand to greet her: "Representative Yang, long time no see."
"CEO Choi, long time no see." Yang Hyun-seok shook his hand, his gaze sweeping across the room before landing on Lia. He nodded slightly and took a seat in the empty seat at the head.
This middle-aged man surnamed Cui is the deputy director of the production department of SBS TV station. He is usually responsible for the overall business control of the TV station and rarely directly intervenes in the affairs of the program group. On the contrary, it is Kim Jun-nam who is
STAR" and became more familiar with Yang Hyun-seok, so he naturally took on the task of exchanging pleasantries: "Bigbang's recent comeback has been so well received. Are you going to film another TV show soon?"
Yang Hyun-seok responded with a smile: "The invitation to 'Strong Heart' is just right. I want to take advantage of the children's comeback and show their faces. I also ask the station to take care of me."
"No, no," Jin Junnan waved his hands repeatedly, "You're too modest. Everyone knows that Big Bang is the hottest idol group right now. They need to come to the station more often, more often!"
The two of them exchanged polite and measured pleasantries. When the atmosphere warmed up slightly, Jin Junnan glanced at the deputy director's expression and got to the point.
"Regarding this dispute—" he began tentatively, "the station would like to discuss this with you, Representative Yang, and hopes to use 'co-creation' as the unified external statement." "Who came up with this statement?" Yang Xianshi said slowly.
"We." Jin Junnan did not shirk responsibility. "Public opinion is fermenting too quickly now, and we can't ignore it completely. But if it is directly exposed that the contestant plagiarized, both the program and the TV station will be implicated." He did not finish his words.
The term "co-creation" is beneficial to the program to the greatest extent possible—it not only maintains its reputation and popularity, but also leaves room for subsequent handling. If handled properly, it may even increase the program's ratings.
The price is Lia. Her authorship, her creative rights, her voice—everything must be compromised. She's a producer under YG, so the decision has to be made by Yang Hyun-seok.
Zhao Hejin glanced at Lia with some reluctance, but her expression was only slightly moved, as if the matter they were discussing had nothing to do with her. Zhao Hejin calmly withdrew his gaze, feeling a little surprised.
It wasn't that Lia had been prepared for this. PR, after all, was just a few tricks, and she'd seen them all before at the company. Unfortunately, this time, she was once again on the receiving end.
"Our current explanation is that the artists and producers discussed the content during the initial stages of creation, and there was some overlap in the subsequent use of the content. After communication, a consensus was reached between the two parties," Kim Joon-nam continued. "What is the consensus?" Yang Hyun-seok asked calmly.
"The program acknowledges YG's original development rights to the melody and commends Kim Woo-chan's interpretation and development—ultimately, it was designated a 'co-creation.'" He paused. "Furthermore, we will also restrict contestants' promotional language. In principle, they will no longer be allowed to excessively market themselves as 'original creators.'"
The deputy director leaned back in his chair, not commenting. Clearly, the negotiations were conducted within his tacit approval. "Of course, if Representative Yang has any additional expectations, the station can also coordinate accordingly internally," Jin Junnan added.
His words were measured—finally revealing his true colors, he also handed over the choice. Everyone present knew full well that this was merely an exchange of interests.
Yang Hyun-seok smiled softly, "Then, let's tilt the station's resources somewhat toward YG." This request may seem modest, but it actually offers enormous potential. It didn't specify how much, just how much.
Eat one bite at a time, speak one sentence at a time - he didn't know how much concession the station was willing to make on this matter, so he just sold it out and gave the choice back to the other party.
The deputy director pondered for a moment, nodded slightly, and finally said: "Of course. I will coordinate the resources of the station and will not let you, President Yang, down." The meeting reached a consensus on this.
This was a clear exchange of resources—using the respectable rhetoric of "co-creation" to suppress public opinion, and compensating YG's concessions with more exposure. Everyone at the table won, except Lia.
She was more like a figurine, possessing the right to know, placed there for some humanitarian reason. And Kim Woo-chan wasn't even entitled to a seat at the table. ... Lia escorted Yang Hyun-seok to the TV station entrance, bowing respectfully.
The driver parked the car on the side of the road, leaving the door open, waiting for him to get in. He had just raised his foot when he suddenly stopped and looked back at her. "Do you feel uncomfortable?"
Lia was not expecting him to speak so suddenly, and was slightly taken aback, but nodded. She wasn't sure what he meant, but it was obvious that it wasn't just out of simple concern.
"Register a public account later." Yang Hyun-seok said calmly, "A producer doesn't have to be behind the scenes all the time. It would be beneficial to show up occasionally." Lia didn't answer immediately.
Of course she understood what Yang Xianshi meant, but too many things happened today and she felt a little indigestion.
"You don't have to refuse so quickly." Yang Xianshi glanced at her. "If it was Zhilong sitting in the conference room today, I might be more considerate of his feelings. But you—" He paused, his tone still calm: "You haven't reached that point yet."
"You have the ability and you can maximize your value by showing up more often." Yang Xianshi is a businessman with a sharp vision.
He has his own consistent judgment system - everything can be quantified and commercialized. Trainees can be packaged as artists, and of course, they can also be packaged as "producers."
He'd long wanted to try "producer branding," but he'd never found the right person. Most producers tend to hide behind the system, unwilling to show their faces, and lacking public appeal. But she was different.
She has talent, can produce solid works, and happens to be popular. This kind of bloody and violent physique would be a pity if she didn't become an artist, but now she is placed here, it is just right.
After he finished speaking, he stepped into the car, and the window slowly rose, blocking out his last glance.
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