Chapter 448: 448
Gun-Ho and BM Entertainment's manager were talking about the soap opera production business in China . The entertainment manager said, "I know you have a very good Kkwansi with the municipal government of Shanghai City . Also, it is true that there are lots of production companies for soap operas there? Whether a production company would be successful or not mostly hinges on the contents of the soap operas that they produce . So, it's not simple for me to give you a yes-or-no answer to your question . I would have to say that it depends . "
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"Hmm . That makes sense . "
"Many Chinese soap operas are long-running dramas, and many of them usually have more than thirty episodes . If you want to get into this business, you need to ask yourself if you can or if you are willing to handle the cost . "
"How much would it cost to film one soap opera?"
"There are various genres of soap operas such as a historical and modern drama, and the cost to produce one soap opera varies as well . Even though it's hard for me to give a specific number for the cost, I can tell you that it is getting more and more expensive these days to produce one . "
"You can still give me a rough estimate . "
"I'm not sure about Chinese soap operas, but it usually costs more than 300 million won to film one episode of a Korean soap opera . "
"Wow, is it that expensive?"
"You have to pay the actors and the author which costs a substantial amount of money . "
"So, in order to produce 30 episodes like a Chinese soap opera, it would cost me 9 billion won, huh? If the drama that I produce received low ratings, I could lose money so quickly . "
"That's right . "
"Hmm, I guess I have to be extra careful . "
"If you decide to get into that business, you certainly have advantages . For example, since you are financially affluent, you wouldn't have to be constantly worried about the cost of production . Also, your connection with the high-ranking officers in the Shanghai government will be greatly useful . "
"How would those connections help me in producing a soap opera?"
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"China is a communist state . They have rigid censorship . Broadcasting companies in China are notorious for power tripping . Given the harsh business environment in this specific field, having a personal connection with high-ranking officials in the government is definitely a great advantage . However, the most important factor that leads to success in this business is the contents of the soap opera . "
"Where do I get good content?"
"You will need to find a good author . Umm, please allow me to have a sip of my tea . "
"Of course . Please take your time . "
Gun-Ho continued to talk while having a sip of his tea .
"If I want to film a Chinese soap opera, do I need to find a Chinese writer?"
"Not necessarily . You can work with either a Chinese author or a Korean author . "
Gun-Ho took a moment to think about it with his arms crossed .
'What this dandy guy said does make sense . '
"If you happen to open a production company of soap operas, especially as a joint venture with a Chinese firm, I can help you with casting Korean actors or actresses . Usually, in China, top actors or actresses exclusively star in soap operas, but some production companies cast Korean actors and actresses as well . Why don't you think about it, and let me know once you decide?"
"Thank you for your professional advice and opinions . How is President Hyeon-Man Yee of BM Entertainment doing?"
"He is doing well . I will let him know that you said hello to him . "
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"Thank you again for today . "
"Well, I guess I need to head out . I have to attend an audition as a judge today . "
BM Entertainment's manager walked out of Gun-Ho's office after giving him a bow .
Gun-Ho recalled what Seukang Li told him the other day when he met him in Shanghai .
"There are many competent young people in the soap opera production field in China, who are suffering financially to handle production costs despite their talents in the field . I want to help them and share the profits . Will you join me?"
Gun-Ho had no knowledge or experience in this specific field— drama production business— and he didn't want to blindly invest in it while risking losing his investment funds . He wanted to take enough time to think about it before he made any decision .
For now, Gun-Ho decided to give a call to Seukang Li and Jien Wang to thank them to send him a congratulatory flower wreath to his wedding .
"Mr . Director Seukang Li is not available at this time . He is in a meeting . "
An automated message indicated that Seukang Li was not available to pick up the phone when Gun-Ho dialed his number .
"I guess they are having some sort of communist meeting . They seem to have too many meetings . "
Gun-Ho complained and made a call to Jien Wang .
"Jien Wang? It's me, Gun-Ho Goo . "
"Hey, Gun-Ho Goo! To what do I owe the pleasure of this call?"
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"I just wanted to thank you for sending me a congratulatory flower wreath at my wedding . "
"I should have visited Korea and attended your wedding in person instead of sending a flower wreath . I'm sorry that I missed your wedding, my friend . "
"Don't say that! If you happen to talk with Seukang Li later today, would you convey my thank-you message to him? I just called him at his office to only find out that he was in a meeting . "
"I'm sure he is actually in a meeting . Speaking of which, Seukang Li told me the other day he wanted to meet you . "
"What for?"
"You need to hear it from him . "
When Gun-Ho was preparing to leave for the day, he received a call from Seukang Li .
"President Goo? I'm sorry that I missed your call earlier . "
"No worries . I know you are a busy man . "
"Not really . I just have so many meetings to attend . Today's meeting was about censorship . We are trying to increase restrictions on the contents of soap operas . "
"What sort of contents do you want to filter out?"
"We don't want anything against our public policy . "
"Can you give me some examples?"
"Well, something like political content that depicts our past incidents such as 1989 Tiananmen Square Protests or Falun Gong, or some egregiously brutal scene . "
"Hmm . "
"There is more . We don't want any soap operas to be on air, which contains stories about adulteries, superstitions, or homosexuality . "
"Haha . There would be no fun drama left to watch then . "
"By the way, do you have any plan to visit China in the near future?"
"I do want to go to China to see you . "
"I talked with President Min-Hyeok Kim the other day . He said you recently opened a logistics company as well . "
"Yes, I did . It's a transportation company . You can lease heavy equipment as well from there . It's not a big company though . "
"I have a friend in Guizhou Province . He is a deputy mayor there . He asked me the other day if I know of any transportation company in Korea . Would you like to meet him?"
"Sure, why not? There is no problem meeting him, but I am currently working with a tight budget and can't invest in any company for now . "
"It's okay . Just meet with him and see what he says . Why don't you visit me in Shanghai? There is a direct flight from Shanghai to Guiyang City, Guizhou Province . "
"Sounds good . I will do that . "