Chapter 979: Youth, Once Again! (4)
"You're going to... give me a chance to stand on stage again?" Kim Hyun-Ja asked again, unable to believe it.
I nodded. "Yes."
At that point, President Kang Gam-Chan, who had been listening quietly, cautiously offered his opinion. "It's not that I don't trust you, Chief Jung, but... considering noon-nim's condition right now, wouldn't putting her back on stage be asking too much?"
I understood that Kang Gam-Chan was speaking out of concern for Kim Hyun-Ja. Even so, I had no choice but to shake my head. Bringing her into Hoop Entertainment was the only way to extend the single year of life she had left.
I said, "If it's a performance connected to the Ministry of Culture's Cultural Arts Dementia Therapy Project, I believe she'll be able to perform without any problem."
The Cultural Arts Dementia Therapy Project—the same project Seo Yeon-Woo would be participating in through the commercial—included events held at senior welfare centers.
Originally, I had planned to give all those appearances to Kim Hyun-Ji. Now I changed my mind. Kim Hyun-Ja and Kim Hyun-Ji would take turns performing. And if Kim Hyun-Ja could learn a new song, I would create a stage where she and Kim Hyun-Ji could sing 'Youth, Once Again!' together. Because the moment she sang was the only time she truly returned to the brilliant years of her youth.
After hearing my plan, Kang Gam-Chan finally sighed in relief. "Ah... I see. If it's just performances at senior welfare centers, then that should be fine."
Kim Hyun-Ja seemed less burdened as well and quietly let out a relieved breath. After all, those events didn't charge admission.
"If it's something like that, I can do it. For a moment, I thought you meant..."
That was when I smiled at everyone who was beginning to relax. "Those stages will only be warm-ups."
"Wait. Warm-ups?"
"Once you become comfortable performing again through those welfare center events, I plan to hold a solo concert for you."
The moment I revealed my real goal, Kim Hyun-Ja's eyes doubled in size. "A solo concert?"
"Yes. I'd like to hold regular concerts for you in the small theater beneath Hoop Entertainment."
There was a small theater in the basement of Hoop Entertainment. It could accommodate around 250 people, and with some remodeling, it would function perfectly as a performance venue.
Kim Hyun-Ja spoke in a trembling voice. "I'm incredibly grateful that you'd even let me stand on stage. But charging admission and bringing in paying audiences is different. What if I forget the lyrics while singing? What if I can't finish the song?"
"You won't forget." I smiled. "A little while ago, you started singing along with me and immediately became clear-headed again, didn't you?"
"That may be true, but... I still can't make any promises. If I make a mistake during a paid performance, people will flood us with complaints. They might even demand refunds."
At that moment, I answered calmly, "Please don't worry. We'll explain your condition in advance and notify everyone from the beginning that there may be moments when you forget the lyrics. And if your condition prevents you from finishing the performance, every ticket holder will receive a seat at the next show free of charge."
If the audience entered knowing exactly what they were signing up for, there would be far less room for complaints. And if any unfinished performance was followed by a complimentary return show, resistance would be reduced even further.
More importantly, if we scheduled generous intermissions and provided refreshments and gifts, it would become a meaningful experience for people who wanted to relive memories from that era. And because we would be using Hoop Entertainment's own theater, venue rental costs would be virtually nonexistent. We could try again as many times as necessary.
Kang Gam-Chan immediately began nodding. "That's true. If we do it that way, she can perform as often as she likes. We won't have to worry about rental fees, repeat performances won't be a problem, and she won't have to feel pressured."
Lee Mal-Soon excitedly chimed in. "Yes, ma'am. And I'll perform as a guest."
Kim Hyun-Ji spoke up as well. "I will too. If it's all right with you, ma'am, I'd love to stand on that stage together with you. If you forget the lyrics, then I'll help from right beside you. After all, I used to be the Kim Hyun-Ja copy singer."
As everyone offered their support, Kim Hyun-Ja stared at us with a deeply moved expression. Little by little, hope began returning to her face.
Then, at last, she slowly opened her mouth. "You're all willing to prepare this much for me... If I said no now, I'd be a bad person. All right. Chief Jung, I'll grant your second request."
'Yes!'
"Then let's sign."
"All right..."
I opened my tablet and handed it to Kang Gam-Chan. Filling in the amount and contract terms on the standard agreement was his job.
Scratch, scratch.
While Kang Gam-Chan entered the figures, Kim Hyun-Ja spoke. "Gam-Chan. I don't think I'll be able to earn a lot of money for the company, so keep the signing bonus small. Really small."
Before Kang Gam-Chan could answer, I spoke first. "Just recovering the royalties that rightfully belong to you will generate more than enough income."
Kim Hyun-Ja's children had abandoned any intention of supporting their parents and had forged documents to take ownership of her building. However, because of the legal protections surrounding family members, fraud charges were difficult to pursue. Nevertheless, the royalties transferred without her permission were another matter entirely. Those could be reclaimed.
"Can you really get those back?"
"Yes."
Kim Hyun-Ja looked astonished as she turned toward Kang Gam-Chan. "Gam-Chan, you really found someone special. He's just like you. He's full of ideas, and he's got the drive to make them happen."
Kang Gam-Chan smiled and shook his head. "No. He's more capable than I ever was. I couldn't have done what he's doing when I was in my twenties."
Kim Hyun-Ja chuckled softly before turning back to me. Then she extended her right hand. "Chief Jung, I'll never forget this kindness. Helping my husband today, finding me... all of it."
I clasped her trembling hand between both of mine. "Thank you. But there is one thing I'd like your permission for."
"Of course. Anything."
"While resolving this matter, your children may suffer consequences. Even so, I won't stop. Are you all right with that?"
Kim Hyun-Ja gazed at me for a long moment. When she finally spoke, the words seemed reluctant to leave her lips. "Where do I have any children? The only family I have is my husband."
There couldn't have been a clearer answer than that. Even so, there was a sadness in her voice that made me answer carefully.
I said, "Then let me become part of that family."
Kim Hyun-Ji immediately followed. "Yes, ma'am. We'll be your family."
Lee Mal-Soon nodded as well. "That's right, ma'am. No—unnie! If we're family, we should change how we address you."
A smile appeared on Kim Hyun-Ja's face.
Watching her reaction, Kim Hyun-Ji cautiously spoke. "Then I'll call you unnie. That's okay, right?"
At that moment, hot tears began streaming down Kim Hyun-Ja's cheeks. "All right. I'm counting on all of you, guys."
***
Kang Gam-Chan finished filling out the standard contract and placed the tablet in front of Kim Hyun-Ja. "Please sign."
"Okay."
Kim Hyun-Ja released my hand and looked down at the electronic contract. I carefully read through each clause for her and pointed out where she needed to sign. Then she looked at the screen and froze.
"This is... too much."
The amount Kang Gam-Chan had entered as her exclusive-contract signing bonus was one hundred million won. And the profit split was seventy percent to Kim Hyun-Ja and thirty percent to Hoop Entertainment.
"I'd like to offer even more, but we're a publicly traded company now. We have to go through audits, so this is the limit. Please accept it."
Kim Hyun-Ja answered in a trembling voice, "All right. I'll keep singing for as long as I can so the company won't suffer any losses because of me."
She gripped the tablet pen tightly and slowly began signing her name.
Screeech.
Each time the pleasant sound of the stylus gliding across the screen reached my ears, the smile on her face grew brighter.
At that moment, the schedule entry in Everyday began to disappear.
[Everyday V13]
[Date: July 7, 2022]
-02:00 p.m.: General Room No. 3, Seven Stars Hospital Funeral Hall, Gangnam. Veteran trot singer Kim Hyun-Ja.
Recruiting Kim Hyun-Ja had been the correct answer. Which meant it was time to deal with HK Planning's contract.
"I'm going to announce your comeback to the media now," I said.
When Kim Hyun-Ja nodded, I immediately called BM Report.
"Sir, that article about HK Planning planning to use fifty dementia patients as extras. Please release it right now."
-Not tonight?
"No. Right now."
-Hmm. Got it. I'll push it out immediately. Check it and call me back.
After hanging up, Kang Gam-Chan asked, "Why aren't you notifying HK Planning that the contract is being terminated? Why release the article first?"
I smiled. "Because I thought of a way to avoid paying the penalty fee."
I intended to teach HK Planning exactly how foolish it had been to try and hire a former superstar like Kim Hyun-Ja for a mere five million won.
***
After contacting the reporters, I also called Minister Han Yung-Bok. I informed him that I had signed Kim Hyun-Ja and that she would be appearing in the public-service advertisement for the Cultural Arts Dementia Therapy Project.
Han Yung-Bok's delighted voice immediately came through the phone.
-Oh! Mrs, Kim Hyun-Ja is making a comeback? I'm a fan of hers too!
"Actually, Mrs. Kim Hyun-Ja has mild dementia. Singing isn't a problem for her, though. So I'd like permission for her to continue performing on stage."
-Oh my... how did that happen... All right. I'll speak with my secretary, so don't worry.
"Thank you, Mr. Minister."
As soon as I hung up, Kim Hyun-Ja stared at me in astonishment. "You have the minister's direct number?"
Lee Mal-Soon shrugged dramatically. "See, unnie? I told you Chief Jung is incredibly capable."
Kim Hyun-Ja burst into laughter at Lee Mal-Soon's playful confidence. "You're right. He really is."
Just then, the article I had asked BM Report to release began spreading online.
[SHOCKING REPORT: HK Planning Allegedly Planned to Cast 50 Real Dementia Patients as Extras in New Public-Service Advertisement!]
-Information has surfaced that HK Planning intended to use dementia patients as background performers in an advertisement without obtaining consent from their guardians.
The advertisement was reportedly being produced in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Welfare...
(Attached File: Leaked Storyboard.jpeg)
(Comments)
-Are they insane?
-Did the nursing home director take a bribe or something?
-Wow... what were they going to do if an accident happened?
-Innovative. Really innovative. What a creative way to screw over elderly people...
-Shouldn't HK Planning be audited?
-Seriously. The Ministry of Health and Welfare looks involved too.
-Did government officials take money too? They approved that?
...
The moment the storyboard photos from Park In-Chang's phone were leaked, the internet exploded.
Then, just as I had requested, Reporter Choi So-Hye published her article.
[Hoop Entertainment Announces the Signing of Legendary Trot Singer Kim Hyun-Ja, Who Has Been Battling Dementia! (Star Exclusive - Reporter Choi So-Hye)]
-The legendary singer Kim Hyun-Ja, whose songs once moved an entire generation to tears, is returning to us once again.
Kim Hyun-Ja, who quietly fought dementia without revealing her condition to the public, has courageously decided to take on a new challenge.
However, regarding HK Planning's attempt to exploit the circumstances of a singer suffering from illness and pressure her into appearing in an advertisement...
(Comments)
-Hoop Entertainment signed the Queen of Trot?
-Who's Kim Hyun-Ja?
-A singer our parents' generation loved. You'll recognize the songs if you hear them.
-You don't know 'Life Goes Round and Round'?
-Oh, that song. I know it. It's my mom's go-to karaoke song. Though my mom says if she gets reborn, she's not marrying my dad again. Dad says he'd still marry her, though.
-That's real love. LOL.
-Wait, Kim Hyun-Ja has dementia? What is this?
-So HK Planning was trying to use a sick elderly woman for an ad?
-Wow, that's awful.
As soon as news of Kim Hyun-Ja's dementia became public, the comments exploded. Public sentiment toward Hoop Entertainment rose sharply, while anger toward HK Planning continued to grow.
Then, Kim Hyun-Ja's old phone began ringing.
Buzz.
"Chief Jung. HK Planning is calling me."
"I'll handle it."
"Here, take my phone."
I accepted the phone Kim Hyun-Ja handed me.
[Caller ID: Director Yang Sung-Beom, HK Planning]
He was the person responsible for the advertisement.
"Hello?"
The moment I answered, Director Yang Sung-Beom's voice came through, low and tense.
-Is this Mrs. Kim Hyun-Ja's phone?
"That's right. And this is Jung Yoon-Ho from Hoop Entertainment."
Instantly, Yang Sung-Beom exploded.
-Hey! What the hell are you doing? Are you trying to start a war with us or what?!
"You expected us to sit quietly while you tried to put Mrs. Kim into that absurd advertisement of HK Planning?"
-What absurd advertisement? It's all tabloid nonsense! Do you know how well we were planning to treat her?
"The storyboard has already been leaked. What nonsense are you talking about? Since you've called, I'll inform you now. Mrs. Kim Hyun-Ja will be canceling her advertising contract with HK Planning. We'll send over the paperwork shortly. Since you attempted to produce content different from what was agreed upon in the contract, we consider your company to be at fault. We'll return the signing payment, but we will not be paying any penalty fees."
-This little punk... Who said you could cancel the contract? Even if the version using dementia patients gets scrapped, we'll just replace the director and shoot a different version! The contract isn't being canceled! And if you want out, pay ten times the penalty fee!
At that moment, I laughed. "Five million won."
-What?
"Should I leak another article right now? One that includes the exact amount HK Planning offered Mrs. Kim Hyun-Ja?"
-W-Wait...
"Not even fifty million, but five million won? Seriously? And you're talking about how well you were planning to treat her? That's rich. And I spoke with Minister Han Yung-Bok. He intends to make Mrs. Kim Hyun-Ja the face of the Cultural Arts Dementia Therapy Project. What do you think will happen when he finds out that you were trying to pass by with a mere five million won?"
-W-What? The minister?
"That's right. The minister."
One of the reasons I had chosen the Ministry of Culture's public-service campaign instead of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's project was precisely because of situations like this. When the head of the supervising ministry was on your side, small problems like these could be cleaned up very quickly.
Just as expected, Yang Sung-Beom's voice began to shake.
-T-Then there's no need to return the signing payment. Just send us a written notice of termination. We'll consider the deposit the cancellation fee, so please don't make this public.
"Why don't you cleanly put the termination decision in writing from your side first?"
Apparently realizing there was no way out, Yang Sung-Beom finally surrendered.
-Damn it. Fine. I'll send it.
Thanks to that, we not only avoided paying any penalty fee, but we didn't have to return the signing payment either.
'Money saved.'
***
To finalize the cancellation process with HK Planning, Chief Kwak Moo-Hyuk from Legal Affairs arrived at the hospital. We stepped out of the VIP suite and spoke beside Lee Taek-Hyun, who had regained his senses.
After finishing the exchange of documents, Kwak Moo-Hyuk let out a relieved sigh. "It's done. They've sent over the termination confirmation."
Kang Gam-Chan nodded. "Good work. Oh, and because we rushed through the signing, we didn't discuss housing or a talent agent. Let's prepare the largest unit at DH Villa for Mrs. Kim and we'll get her a vehicle as well. As for her talent agent, let's draft another electronic contract so she can hire an additional person of her choosing. It'd be best if we found someone she's already comfortable with."
I could establish the broad framework for Kim Hyun-Ja's comeback, but I couldn't stay by her side twenty-four hours a day. We needed a talent agent she already knew and trusted.
However, Kim Hyun-Ja shook her head. "Gam-Chan, no. Don't do that. I'm fine. I can keep living at home."
This time I stepped in. "No, ma'am. You need to accept this."
"Hm? Why?"
"I understand you're declining out of consideration, but if rumors spread that we're not treating you properly, it could create legal complications later."
We were planning to apply for adult guardianship due to her dementia. If the company appeared stingy or neglectful, people might suspect we were trying to misuse her finances. In situations like this, being overly generous was actually the safer approach.
"I... see."
"Yes. Please just accept it. And regarding the adult guardianship, I intend to designate Mr. Lee Taek-Hyun as your guardian."
Lee Taek-Hyun, now sitting upright in bed, shook his head. "No. The only thing I can do is stay by my wife's side. My health isn't good enough."
"Then we'll appoint one additional guardian alongside you. It's possible to have multiple guardians."
Lee Taek-Hyun looked at me hopefully. "Will you do it, Chief Jung?"
"No." I smiled. "Isn't there someone much more suitable right here?"
"Who?"
Slowly, I turned toward Kim Hyun-Ji. "Would you be willing to help?"
Kang Gam-Chan couldn't serve as guardian because he was an interested party. For Kim Hyun-Ja, Kim Hyun-Ji was the perfect choice.
At that moment, Kim Hyun-Ji, who had been holding Kim Hyun-Ja's hand tightly, nodded. "If it's a chance to repay unnie, I'll do it gladly."
Lee Mal-Soon nodded as well. "Honestly, Hyun-Ji unnie really is the perfect person for it."
Kim Hyun-Ja smiled warmly. "I'm counting on you, Hyun-Ji."
"Of course, unnie."
Once she had opened her heart, even the guardianship arrangements for Kim Hyun-Ja proceeded smoothly.
Buzz.
Then, a Kk Talk message arrived from Chief Choi Go-Yoon.
[Chief Choi Go-Yoon: Mr. Jung. Mrs. Kim Hyun-Ja's son, Lee Joong-Heon, and daughter, Lee So-Jin, are currently working at Hanullim Music as a director and a managing director, respectively.]
According to Kim Hyun-Ja, her eldest son, Lee Joong-Heon, had worked for a major corporation, while her daughter, Lee So-Jin, had been a cosmetic surgery coordinator.
'Now they're both at Hanullim Music?'
[Chief Jung Yoon-Ho: What happened? I was told her children had substantial assets.]
[Chief Choi Go-Yoon: Both of them lost a large portion of their wealth trying to run their own businesses. Now they're clinging to Hanullim Music and collecting salaries. It appears they're also taking a share of Mrs. Kim Hyun-Ja's royalty income through the company.]
After abandoning their parents, they were still siphoning money from Kim Hyun-Ja's copyrights. In that case, it was time to recover everything that rightfully belonged to her—from Hanullim Music, and from Lee Joong-Heon and Lee So-Jin as well.
'Prepare yourselves. Everything you've taken from Mrs. Kim Hyun-Ja over the years is about to come back out of your pockets—with interest!'