: A Day at SM Entertaiment

After leaving Mr. Kim's office, Jihoon trailed behind Lee Sooman to the SM Entertainment headquarters. Unlike the massive new building he had seen in the news during his previous life, this structure remained at its old location—a sleek, mid-rise tower boasting a reflective glass façade with a gracefully rounded edge on one side.

Dark, tinted windows, set off by lighter vertical accents, lent the building a contemporary, polished appearance. At street level, a modest entryway with a few steps led to a glass door. Surrounded by neighboring high-rises in a bustling urban environment, a few trees near the entrance added a hint of greenery. Overall, the building's modern design and distinctive curved corner created a streamlined, unforgettable silhouette.

Upon entering the building, Jihoon followed Lee Sooman to his office. Once they were seated, the secretary offered Jihoon a beverage. After serving him the coffee he requested, she excused herself, leaving them to engage in a casual conversation.

After a period of light conversation, Lee Sooman steered the discussion back to the film project and asked, "So, Jihoon, have you found the right director to bring your movie to life?"

During their conversation, Lee Sooman quickly realized that Jihoon was no ordinary individual. The effortless way he discussed various topics led Lee Sooman to suspect that Jihoon came from an elite background, with a well-cultivated upbringing evident in his vast knowledge and refined manner of speaking. This impression spurred Lee Sooman to secure investment for Jihoon's project without delay.

After hearing Lee Sooman's question, Jihoon responded frankly about his idea and ambition. "Yes, Mr. Lee, as you know, I conceived and planned this movie project entirely on my own, and I intend to direct it myself. "

"I truly believe that no one else can capture the essence of this film better than I can."

After hearing Jihoon's plan, Lee Sooman's brows furrowed as he tactfully said, "Jihoon, do you really think this is a good idea? "

"You're still new to the industry. Perhaps you should have another director handle this film for now, so you can build your reputation before directing on your own. "

"Plus, you'll face more challenges attracting investors if you insist on taking the helm yourself."

Jihoon smiled and replied confidently, "Thank you for your advice, Mr. Lee, but I'm very confident in my directing skills. "

"Besides, I already own a filmmaking company, so financing this project isn't an issue. "

"As for reputation, I trust you recognize the immense potential of this film. "

"With that in mind, I'm convinced this project will earn me a Cannes Award, and all these factors will undoubtedly secure the media exposure necessary to attract audiences to theaters."

As Jihoon continued explaining, Lee Sooman took a deep breath, carefully observing the young man before him.

Jihoon carried an air of quiet confidence—one that stemmed not from arrogance, but from genuine capability. The more Lee Sooman listened, the more certain he became that Jihoon's background was anything but ordinary. A person with such extensive knowledge, resources, and ambition could never be just a simple film enthusiast.

SM Entertainment had long dominated the music industry, shaping idols and producing chart-topping hits, yet its influence in the film world remained limited. Past attempts at expansion had faltered due to a lack of industry connections and expertise, making a breakthrough challenging. However, Jihoon presented a rare opportunity—an entryway into the lucrative film industry through someone who clearly had both vision and the means to execute it.

Lee Sooman couldn't help but think, "If I secure a partnership with Jihoon now, while he's still at the beginning of his journey, SM Entertainment can ride the wave of his success from the very start. But if I wait until he's already an established filmmaker, forming this kind of collaboration will be far more difficult—if not impossible."

Having made up his mind, Lee Sooman looked at Jihoon with a warm yet serious expression.

"Jihoon, I must say, you're truly an extraordinary young man. "

"Your confidence in this project is admirable, and your vision is something rare to come by. "

"SM Entertainment has always been deeply rooted in the music industry, but I firmly believe that expanding into the film industry is essential for our future growth. "

"Partnering with you might just be the key to making that happen."

He leaned forward slightly, his tone sincere. "So, please, allow me to invest in this project. SM Entertainment will do its best to support you in every possible way."

Jihoon nodded, a knowing smile on his lips. "That's precisely why I came to you, Mr. Lee. "

"SM Entertainment has the influence and resources to give this film the reach it deserves."

"Meanwhile, I can bring a fresh perspective and innovation to an industry that you've yet to fully tap into. I see this as a win-win situation."

Come to think of it, forming an alliance with a renowned company like SM Entertainment would be the best move for Jihoon to launch this project. Instead of partnering with an already well-established player in the film industry, working with SM—an industry giant in music but a newcomer to filmmaking—offered a unique advantage. Their widespread public recognition would undoubtedly add credibility to the film, making it easier to generate buzz and attract attention.

Lee Sooman chuckled. "You certainly know how to present a strong case."

He leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers against the desk. "Alright, let's talk details. What exactly are you looking for in this partnership? "

"And what role do you see SM Entertainment playing in your film project?"

After a brief pause, Jihoon began explaining his plan in detail. He started with the casting process, outlining the selection of actors and the location for auditions. Next, he moved on to the filming sites, emphasizing that the story required a school setting. To ensure a smooth production schedule, he requested Lee Sooman's assistance in coordinating with a school to secure a rental agreement for the location.

Finally, Jihoon addressed the project's budget. Having navigated this process in his previous life, he had a precise understanding of the costs involved in filmmaking. Confident in his calculations, he openly shared the financial details with Lee Sooman, ensuring full transparency in the investment process—offering it as a gesture of goodwill and the foundation for a promising new alliance between them.

Sensing Jihoon's sincerity, Lee Sooman became even more convinced that this alliance was worth nurturing. The foundation of mutual trust between them would undoubtedly pave the way for future collaborations.

With that in mind, he gladly accepted Jihoon's terms, agreeing to invest 20% of the total budget and provide full support for the matters Jihoon had outlined. As a gesture of commitment, they shook hands—an informal agreement sealing their partnership. Now, all that remained was to draft a formal contract before officially commencing the film's production.

With the investment deal secured, the conversation between Lee Sooman and Jihoon naturally took on a more relaxed tone. They engaged in casual discussion, exchanging thoughts on the future of the film industry and strategizing ways to establish a strong presence in the ever-evolving market. Their conversation delved into emerging trends, potential opportunities, and the necessary preparations to carve out their share of success.

As they continued talking, Jihoon gained a deeper understanding of Korea's film industry. Having been deeply involved in the Western film industry in his past life, he quickly recognized the stark differences in how the Asian market functioned. Lee Sooman's insights proved invaluable, offering a comprehensive view of the region's industry dynamics, audience preferences, and business strategies. This exchange provided Jihoon with crucial knowledge, allowing him to refine his approach and position himself effectively within the Asian film landscape.

Eventually, as their discussion came to a close, Jihoon took note of the time and expressed his intention to leave. With a polite nod, he excused himself and stepped out of Lee Sooman's office, bringing their conversation to a close.

After leaving the SM Entertainment building, Jihoon made his way back to the office that his manager, Park Jaehyun, had rented as a temporary workspace for his new company.

As Jihoon stepped into the newly rented office space, he was immediately greeted by Park Jaehyun, who had been diligently managing operations in his absence. With a professional demeanor, Park Jaehyun led Jihoon to his personal office—a modest but well-organized space that served as the heart of their budding company.

Once they were seated, Park Jaehyun wasted no time in delivering his report. He began by outlining everything he had worked on since the day he was hired, detailing the progress made in securing necessary permits, handling administrative paperwork, and reaching out to industry contacts. He provided updates on potential hires, ongoing negotiations with vendors, and the overall setup of their production infrastructure.

"We've made significant progress," Park Jaehyun stated confidently. "The company's foundation is solid, but there are still a few critical areas that need attention before we can officially begin operations."

Jihoon listened attentively, nodding as he processed the information. Though things were moving quickly, he knew there was still much to be done before his vision could fully take shape.

After hearing Park Jaehyun's report, Jihoon was pleased with the results. He asked a few additional questions to gain deeper insight into the company's operations and, after confirming Park Jaehyun's competence, felt reassured that the business was in capable hands.

With that settled, he could now shift his focus to film production without being weighed down by the company's daily management.

As their discussion continued, Jihoon assigned Park Jaehyun a new objective—forming a dedicated business team specializing in online food delivery app development, movie special effects, and game development. This sector remained relatively untapped, with few investors recognizing its full potential.

Armed with knowledge and ideas from his previous life, Jihoon was confident that he could one day dominate this industry. Moreover, expanding into these areas aligned perfectly with his long-term vision of building a multimedia empire. He wanted his company to be at the forefront of technological advancements in entertainment, ensuring they had the capabilities to integrate cutting-edge visual effects, digital platforms, and gaming innovations into their productions.

Beyond business expansion, Jihoon also introduced a strategic investment opportunity. He instructed Park Jaehyun to begin acquiring land in the Mapo-gu area, explaining that by 2008, the Korean government would launch a major redevelopment project, transforming Mapo into a central hub for the entertainment industry.

With government-affiliated media companies set to relocate there, property values were bound to skyrocket. Purchasing land now—while prices were still low—would not only yield significant future profits but also serve as valuable collateral for securing loans. By leveraging land titles, Jihoon could obtain substantial funding from banks at the perfect moment.

In addition to real estate investments, Jihoon had another pressing matter to address—the looming 2008 global financial crisis. Though his financial knowledge was not as extensive as that of professional traders, he understood the immense opportunities hidden within the impending market downturn.

However, rather than managing it personally, he decided to have Park Jaehyun recruit a temporary team of financial experts who could execute high-level strategies on his behalf. Entrusting specialists with the trades would ensure maximum returns without diverting his focus from filmmaking and business expansion.

Furthermore, Jihoon was confident that, with the prestigious Samseong Lee family name backing him, no one in Korea would dare to deceive him financially. His ventures were safeguarded not just by expertise but also by the formidable reputation he carried.