Executives often give in-house lectures or training sessions.

And at the end of the training, there is always a formal phrase they add.

 

“If you have any difficulties or concerns while working at the company, feel free to contact me anytime! Haha!”

 

They flash their company email or phone number on the last slide of the PowerPoint, supposedly offering a direct line of communication.

 

It’s like the suggestion box a company commander might set up in the military.

 

Of course.

 

No one actually reaches out.

 

Who in their right would want to consult an executive and make things uncomfortable? One wrong move, and things could escalate quickly, bringing unintended consequences. It’s already uncomfortable to confide in a team leader, so confessing to an executive is not easy.

 

And the executives know this. That’s why they make these offers, fully aware that very few will ever take them up on it.

 

Well, I do.

 

But latching onto just any executive and unloading your grievances could backfire spectacularly. Ideally, you want someone on your wavelength, someone genuinely interested in employees, with the authority to make decisions that count.

 

There’s such an executive at the Human Resources Development Institute.

 

That same institute where most employees don’t even know what goes on!

 

‘Might as well take the shortest route.’

 

With 24 years of corporate experience under my belt, I carefully chose the right person. Straightening my clothes one last time in front of the door, I muttered:

 

“I’m a bit nervous.”

 

After a deep breath, I knocked.

 

“Come in.”

 

Inside the interview room sat a man in the twilight of his career, his hair dusted with silver.

 

Senior Advisor Choi Jae-chul.

Former President of JTVN.

 

Just three years ago, he was still occupying the president’s office at JTVN. Rumor has it he’d planned to retire and return to his hometown, but now he’s here; serving as an in-house advisor at the earnest request of the current president.

 

By the way, this rumor is true.

 

He’s currently an in-house advisor affiliated with the Human Resources Development Institute.

 

It’s essentially an honorary position, but the situation is unique. Given his career as a former president and his relationship with the current president, Choi Jae-chul still wields considerable influence.

 

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Do Ji-won from the Drama Department, Team 3.”

 

I greeted him respectfully and took a seat. Senior Advisor Choi Jae-chul looked at me with a benevolent smile, as if gazing at a grandchild.

 

“Welcome. I see you’ve requested a consultation regarding your aptitude?”

 

Don’t be fooled by that kind smile. Despite appearances, he was JTVN’s boss who mercilessly pushed aside formidable opponents during his tenure as president.

First, I need to win him over. To do that, I must align with his temperament: cut the fluff, be direct, say only what’s necessary, and be honest.

 

“I’ve heard whispers that I might be reassigned without my input. I’ve come to you in hopes of somehow reversing this decision.”

 

He asked again.

 

“Haven’t you come to the wrong place? Shouldn’t you be at the HR department?”

 

“You’re the head of the department responsible for discovering talent and developing capabilities.”

 

Senior Advisor Choi Jae-chul’s lips stretched into a long smile.

 

“Fair point. Let’s hear what you have to say.”

 

I’ve at least succeeded in piquing his interest.

 

First, I explained how I ended up here, then logically presented why I should remain in the Drama Department rather than move to the Strategic Planning Team.

 

As he listened quietly, a look of skepticism bloomed on Senior Advisor Choi Jae-chul’s face.

 

“Who pulled Do Ji-won PD into the Strategic Planning Team?”

 

“…”

 

I responded with silence.

 

The truth is, I know who brought me into the Strategic Planning Team. My connection with him in my past life was far from insignificant. No, it was more like we were persistently intertwined.

 

However, as someone who knows him well, I think it’s premature to confront him now.

 

Senior Advisor Choi Jae-chul spoke again.

 

“I understand what you’re trying to say.”

 

Seeing him nod, I felt I had passed the first hurdle.

 

For now.

 

He won’t be able to dismiss my words.

 

First, because he’s realized I’m the type to make waves.

 

Second, because forcibly placing me in the Strategic Planning Team while I’m this resistant would only result in a consultant role at best.

 

Both scenarios would be losses from the company’s perspective.

 

Now it’s time to create a third reason for Senior Advisor Choi Jae-chul, who might still be skeptical.

 

“May I ask you one question?”

 

He responded.

 

“In a diversified channel environment and rapidly changing broadcasting system, what do you think should be JTVN’s direction to differentiate itself from other channels?”

 

The anticipated question has arrived.

 

Don’t panic; just say what you’ve prepared. This is where it gets crucial.

 

“If you’re asking for my opinion…”

 

This is my chance to prove my worth. I tensed my stomach and spoke with confidence.

 

“To be honest, I’m not sure.”

 

Senior Advisor Choi Jae-chul blinked a few times.

 

If I had to pinpoint the decisive reason why my career path went awry in my past life…

 

It’s that my talent as a planner caught people’s eye before my talent as a director did.

 

There’s no point in traveling back in time if I’m going to make the same mistake twice, right? It’s a consequence of learning too late that sometimes, in this world, you need to keep your mouth shut, even when you know something.

 

Just as a different emotion was about to surface on Senior Advisor Choi Jae-chul’s bewildered face, I recalled another lesson I’d learned: knowing how to distinguish between honesty and impudence.

 

At this point, I spoke again.

 

“How can I make the story flow more smoothly? How can I make the viewers’ hearts race?”

 

I continued calmly.

 

“These are the kinds of questions I usually ponder. For someone like me, discussions about the company’s direction beyond the Drama Department or the broadcasting environment…”

 

Just as Choi Jae-chul slightly narrowed his eyes, as if listening intently, I continued with the words I had been holding back.

 

“Honestly, I haven’t given it much thought.”

 

Seemingly intrigued, Senior Advisor Choi Jae-chul asked again.

 

“Let me rephrase the question. How will the dramas that Do Ji-won PD creates in the future benefit JTVN?”

 

As expected, he wasn’t letting up easily.

 

The question was different, but it essentially demanded the same answer as before. It was clear that this question was posed with the intention: If you give me the answer I want, I’ll give you the situation you desire.

 

So now, it’s time to answer properly.

 

“As you mentioned, with the diversification of channels and platforms, the nature of content consumers want will change.”

 

Three years from now.

 

“Just as movie runtimes changed to match the maximum length that could be stored on a VHS tape, 90 minutes, following the development of VHS in the ’90s.”

 

In the future, Senior Advisor Choi Jae-chul will establish an investment company.

 

“Nevertheless, I believe the essence of content lies in ‘storytelling’—how ‘attractive’ the story we tell is. I’ll leave other elements to planning experts. I want to be a director at JTVN who focuses on the essence.”

 

The name of that investment company is…

 

“The Originals.”

 

Under the slogan “Only the essence will create our originality,” the content invested in by The Originals would achieve consecutive successes. It would become a company regarded as a seal of quality in the industry.

 

After finishing my explanation, I waited for Senior Advisor Choi Jae-chul’s response.

 

I had played all the cards I could. Now, all I could do was wait for a meaningful result.

 

Lost in thought, Senior Advisor Choi Jae-chul casually broke the silence.

 

“How many years did you say you’ve been working?”

 

“It’s my fourth year.”

 

An odd smile slowly formed on his lips.

 

“I asked because you spoke like a PD with 14 years of experience. I found that curious.”

 

Well, technically, it’s been 24 years.

 

“I’ve heard your story. It seems Do Ji-won PD will work harder in the Drama Department than in the planning team.”

 

I bowed respectfully to Senior Advisor Choi Jae-chul. “Thank you for understanding.”

 

“I can’t make any promises.”

 

Just as I was about to leave, he spoke again.

 

“Ah.”

 

I turned around, and he asked, “I’m just curious…” A slight smile appeared on his face. “How about the Human Resources Development Institute? It’s quite an interesting place in its own way.”

 

I blinked, unsure of how to respond, but before I could say anything, Senior Advisor Choi Jae-chul’s expression turned serious.

 

“I’m joking. An old man’s joke falls flat, doesn’t it?” He gestured for me to leave. “It was a pleasant conversation. Let’s meet again if we have the chance.”

 

After I carefully closed the door behind me, Senior Advisor Choi Jae-chul brought the now-cold tea to his lips. Reflecting on our conversation, he muttered to himself.

 

“An interesting fellow.”

 

Although he denied it, Choi understood why the Strategic Planning Team had their eyes on Do Ji-won. But what can you do if the man himself isn’t interested?

 

Forcing him into the position would likely result in him leaving the company altogether. It might be better to keep him close and observe for now.

 

Choi picked up the phone and spoke into the receiver.

 

“Please connect me to the Head of Strategic Planning.”

 

* * *

 

Two days later.

 

Early in the morning, I received a call from Team Leader 3.

 

“You, what kind of trick did you pull?”

 

Rubbing my eyes, I tried to shake off the drowsiness. I had stayed up all night working on my script again.

 

“I got a call from above. Your personnel transfer has been canceled.”

 

“Really? Seriously?”

 

“Yeah, kid. I called urgently, thinking you might be worrying.”

 

As expected, Senior Advisor Choi’s influence still held strong. Just as I let out a quiet sigh of relief, Team Leader 3 cautiously asked again.

 

“Are you sure you won’t regret this? Like I said before, it’s not a position that comes easily.”

 

I answered without hesitation.

 

“Yes, I like the Drama Department. I need to make my debut too.”

 

“You rascal. Well, if that’s what you want. Anyway, I’m glad it worked out.”

 

A smile tugged at my lips at Team Leader 3’s words. Despite everything, he genuinely cared about me. It couldn’t have been easy for him either, having a team member almost poached. Yet, he still hinted it was a good position, thinking about my future.

 

“Team Leader, I’ll see you soon when I return. I’m sorry for causing trouble these past few days.”

 

“Alright. Enjoy the rest of your vacation, and I’ll see you when you get back.”

 

-Click.

 

After hanging up, I slapped my cheeks a few times to wake myself up.

 

For now, I had managed to fix the first button that had been fastened wrong.

 

‘It’s about time to head to the store.’

 

I was spending my vacation helping out at my father’s hardware store during the day and refining my script all night.

 

It was just the beginning, and there was much to do. With that thought, I hurriedly got up and brushed myself off.