The Art of the Deal (Please follow and like)

Jihoon adjusted his cuffs as he stepped into the towering CJ Entertainment headquarters. Outwardly composed, he masked the sharp focus running through his mind. This meeting was crucial—the final negotiation for 'Secret: Untold Melody', a film that could cement his place in the industry.

He wasn't alone. His manager, Park Jaehyun, walked beside him, a seasoned professional who had expertly handled the early talks. But now, with everything at stake, Jihoon had to take the reins.

His aunt, Lee Boojin, had heads-up—Lee Mikyeong, the formidable director of CJ Entertainment, wanted to meet him personally. That changed the game entirely.

Jihoon knew exactly who she was. In his past life, their paths had crossed at the Academy Awards. They weren't close, but he had observed her enough to know what she was capable of. Lee Mikyeong wasn't just an executive—she was the executive. A visionary who had transformed Korea's film industry into a global powerhouse. Her instincts were razor-sharp, her ability to pick winners unmatched. Negotiating with her meant bringing nothing less than his A-game.

As the elevator ascended, he ran through everything he knew about her. Smart. Passionate about film. Appreciates boldness, detests arrogance. Values talent but won't waste time on those who can't deliver. If he wanted her backing, he had to prove his film was worth it. No hesitation. No second-guessing.

The elevator doors slid open to reveal a sleek conference room with floor-to-ceiling windows. Sunlight streamed in, casting long shadows across a massive table where several CJ executives were already seated. But Jihoon's attention locked onto one person.

Lee Mikyeong.

Poised. Sharp. Completely unreadable. Their eyes met, and for a fleeting moment, recognition flickered in hers. But she revealed nothing.

"Jihoon," she greeted, her tone measured. "I've heard a lot about you."

He offered a polite smile. "Hopefully, mostly good things, Director Lee."

A faint smirk played on her lips. "That depends on what you bring to the table today."

As the room settled into silence, Jihoon took a steadying breath. He had one shot to win this.

Before the negotiation could begin, Mikyeong leaned back, appraising him. "You and I have something in common."

"Do you know what it is?"

Jihoon raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued.

"I'm not sure."

"Could you clarify, Director Lee?"

She chuckled lightly. "Just call me Imo."

"Boojin calls me Noona too."

"That whole feud has nothing to do with us."

"As women in the family, we mere just pawns in the game."

Jihoon wasn't surprised by her words. He understood all too well—had he not sold his shares, he too would have been another chess piece on the board. Without hesitation, he nodded.

"Yes, Mikyeong Imo."

The room fell into stunned silence.

The CJ executives exchanged wide-eyed glances, their minds scrambling to process what they had just heard. Jihoon—the Jihoon sitting before them—was from the Samseong Lee family? The same family CJ had been entangled in legal battles with? The same family that had been one of their fiercest business rivals?

The atmosphere shifted. Some adjusted their posture, recalibrating their approach to the meeting.

But Jihoon? He remained unfazed, almost amused by their reactions.

Mikyeong, however, simply smirked, as if she had anticipated this exact response. "We've both made tough calls, sacrificed what was necessary for the best outcome."

She studied him, recognizing a reflection of her younger self. Jihoon had navigated the same storms she once did, slicing through family feuds with calculated precision. That was why she had wanted to meet him—to see for herself the man who had chosen a path so similar to hers.

But she didn't dwell on it. Instead, she clasped her hands together and said smoothly, "Now that that's settled, shall we begin?"

The energy in the room shifted instantly.

Jihoon leaned in, gaze sharp. "Yes. Let's talk business."

As Park Jaehyun prepared to present their meticulously crafted PowerPoint, Jihoon placed a hand on his arm, stopping him. Jaehyun shot him a confused glance, but Jihoon had a reason.

From the moment Mikyeong had spoken, she had seized control of the conversation. If he let this continue, he'd be negotiating at a disadvantage. He needed to shift the momentum back in his favor.

Instead of allowing Jaehyun to proceed, Jihoon stood, adjusted his suit, and confidently addressed the room.

"Before we get into the details, shouldn't we assess the final product first?"

"A buyer should always evaluate the quality before making an investment."

"The same applies to film, don't you think, Mikyeong Imo?"

Mikyeong wasn't irritated by his move—if anything, she looked impressed. Negotiation was a game of control, and she respected those who played it well.

With a slight nod, she agreed.

"Why not?"

"I'm curious myself."

"Your lecturer, Mr. Kim, speaks highly of it."

"That only makes me more interested."

Jihoon wasn't surprised. The Korean entertainment industry was tightly connected, and CJ's influence meant Mikyeong had access to insider information. Unfazed, he turned to Jaehyun.

"Go ahead."

Jaehyun quickly composed himself, dimming the lights as the screen flickered to life.

Jihoon didn't watch the film—he already knew every frame by heart. Instead, he observed the room.

At first, some executives remained passive, arms crossed, their expressions unreadable. But as the story unfolded, that changed. The immersive world he had crafted pulled them in. A few unconsciously leaned forward, abandoning their documents and phones.

Then came the emotional climax.

A soft sniffle broke the silence. A female executive discreetly wiped away a tear. Another subtly dabbed her eyes. Even the men, though less expressive, had their jaws clenched, their gazes intense.

Jihoon focused on Mikyeong. Unlike the others, she remained still. But he noticed it—the slight twitch at the corner of her lips, the way her fingers tapped against the table. Small, nearly imperceptible tells. She was intrigued.

As the screen faded to black and the credits rolled, silence settled over the room. Not awkward, but the kind that came when people needed a moment to process what they had just witnessed.

Jihoon let the weight of the moment linger before breaking the silence.

"So… what do you think?"

Mikyeong's eyes held a glint of appreciation as she nodded.

"It's exceptional—one of the most valuable films I've seen in years."

Jihoon kept his composure, though he allowed a slight smile. Praise from Mikyeong wasn't given lightly. She was a woman of impossibly high standards, someone nearly impossible to impress.

"That means a lot, Mikyeong Imo," he replied, dipping his head respectfully.

"We poured our hearts into this project, and hearing that makes every challenge worth it."

Mikyeong leaned back, drumming her fingers against the table.

"It's not just effort, Jihoon. This film has something rare—a soul."

"Very few projects capture human emotion as naturally as this."

Around the table, the other executives nodded in agreement, the tension from earlier melting into genuine admiration. The deal wasn't just on the table anymore.

It was his to win.

Then, Mikyeong shifted gears. Her gaze sharpened. "I assume you've considered the international festival circuit?"

Jihoon met her eyes, already anticipating her next words.

"Your film has real potential at Cannes," she continued.

"The festival gravitates toward films that explore human nature, emotions, and personal struggles. And this—"

She gestured toward the screen, "fits their aesthetic perfectly."

Before he could respond, Mikyeong pressed on. "If you're planning to submit it, I can help."

"CJ has deep connections within Cannes."

"I can make sure the right people see it."

A hush fell over the room, the weight of her words settling in.

jihoon reply and explain.

"I'm truly grateful for the opportunity, Mikyeong Imo, but Mr. Kim has already promised to assist with the Cannes submission."

"It's unfortunate, but I wouldn't want to go back on my word."

Mikyeong raised an eyebrow, unfazed by his response.

"Oh? Is that so? No need to worry—I'll coordinate with him to ensure the film has the best possible chance."

"After all, two hands are better than one, don't you think?"

She wasn't the least bit bothered by the rejection. Her ultimate goal had always been to elevate the Korean film industry on the global stage, and what better way to do that than by securing international recognition? As long as it benefited the industry, she had no hesitation in offering her support.

Jihoon's lips curled into a subtle smile as he nodded.

"If that's the case, then we have no issues at all."

Without missing a beat, he smoothly transitioned to the next topic.

"Now that the film's quality has been assured, let's talk about local distribution, Mikyeong Imo."

"What are your thoughts?"

For the first time in the discussion, Mikyeong hesitated—just for a second. Then, realizing what had happened, she burst into laughter.

She had just noticed it. The entire flow of the negotiation had slipped from her grasp, and Jihoon had taken full control before she even realized it.

First, he used the film's quality to set the tone. Then, he diverted her attention to the Cannes submission, making it seem like the main priority. By the time she was fully invested in discussing the film's international prospects, she had completely overlooked the core negotiation—distribution.

Yet, instead of frustration, she felt admiration.

With a smirk, she leaned back in her chair and conceded, "CJ will accept your terms."

"For local distribution, we'll take a 30% cut."

"As for global distribution, we'll negotiate with the relevant companies after the awards."

She then looked directly at Jihoon, tilting her head slightly.

"What do you think?"

Her acceptance wasn't out of defeat—it was out of vision. She wasn't here for a simple business deal; she was here for something greater. She saw the bigger picture—one that encompassed the future of Korea's filmmaking industry.

Losing this particular negotiation didn't matter to her. What mattered was the impact this film could have. And Jihoon? He had just proven himself as someone worth betting on.

Jihoon rose from his seat, extending his hand across the table in a gesture of mutual respect. He understood why Mikyeong hadn't pressed further in the negotiation—her ambitions extended beyond profit; she was driven by a vision to elevate Korean cinema on the global stage. Having lived through it once before, Jihoon already knew her true purpose as a producer.

Mikyeong, sensing the unspoken understanding between them, looked at Jihoon's outstretched hand. There was a certain respect in his gesture, as if he had long recognized her ambitions without her having to say them out loud. Without hesitation, she extended her hand as well.

As their hands met in a firm handshake, Jihoon spoke with quiet determination.

"We will take Korea's film industry to new heights—together."

It was more than just words; it was a promise. A shared objective between them.

Mikyeong blinked for a moment, caught slightly off guard by the weight of his words. But as realization dawned, a knowing smile spread across her lips.

"Yes," she replied, her grip tightening slightly. "Together."