Chapter 70 : Ts media’s bizarre daily life (2)

Kawasaki’s broadcast concept meeting was going smoothly.

“Originally, these days, even girl groups lip-sync during live performances. So, after we confirm Kawasaki’s singing, if it’s not good, we’ll just go with lip-syncing?”

“Wouldn’t that cause backlash?”

“Nah, it’s fine. Most famous girl groups do it, so even if we do, people will just shrug it off. And actually, the chairman isn’t lip-syncing, are they? Neither is the butler.”

“Why is it assumed that Miley will be performing live?”

It started with the singer debut talk.

“How about adding this to the character concept?”

“What is it?”

“A slightly air-headed feel. A character who makes mistakes and messes everything up. It’s a cliché of sorts.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. And in any case, we need to appeal to the male demographic, and men feel a kind of protective instinct when they see women making frequent mistakes. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Ah, I think I get it.”

It went on to discuss character concepts.

Most of it seemed to be sorted out.

‘Indeed, CEO Cha is right.’

I don’t know about clichés, but I do feel like helping someone who makes frequent mistakes.

Of course, that’s only good for a couple of times.

‘If you make mistakes that often as a concept, you’re a walking carcinogen.’

But this isn’t about meeting in real life; it’s about deciding on a concept for a broadcaster.

I think being prone to mistakes is a good concept for a broadcaster. Actually, quite a few broadcasters have that kind of concept.

‘Whether it’s a concept or real, I don’t know.’

I smacked my lips and continued to offer suggestions.

“For the avatar design, since we need to emphasize s*x appeal, how about a revealing look? Side slits, garter belts, etc. Since Kawasaki has quite a bust, it might be good to reveal the upper body as well.”

At my suggestion, CEO Cha coughed violently.

“Ahem, ahem, ahem! Keh-hem!”

It sounded like the death rattle of a dying man. I was seriously worried about CEO Cha’s health. I looked at him with concern.

“CEO Cha, are you sick or something?”

“No, no. That’s not it. Rather, that… Chairman. You shouldn’t use that expression so easily.”

“Which word… Ah, the s*x appeal part?”

“Ahem! Ahem!”

CEO Cha coughed again like someone choking.

He wiped the sweat off his face with his hand.

“I think I need to firmly advise you on this, but you shouldn’t use such blunt words. Not at the company, and not outside either.”

“s*x appeal? Honestly, it’s not really a problematic word, is it? It’s just a technical term.”

“…Have you ever seen an idol use that kind of language?”

“Well, I don’t know much about idols…”

As I scratched my cheek, CEO Cha sighed and explained to me with a serious face.

“First of all, idols don’t use that kind of language. It absolutely, definitely causes controversy.”

“Hmm…”

“Of course, everyone knows. Everyone knows! It’s just a simple expression, right? But some people imagine sexual elements in that word, and it’s partly planned with that in mind, isn’t it? But if an idol is associated with anything sexual, it’s over!”

“I’m not an idol.”

“You’re a quasi-idol. I told you before.”

Come to think of it, I think I heard something like that.

When I nodded as if in agreement, CEO Cha emphasized,

“So never, ever, ever use that word! Please, I beg you, Chairman.”

“Well, alright.”

It’s not like I’m going to die if I don’t use one word.

As I nodded, Kawasaki Shigure cautiously raised her hand and whispered in a small voice,

“Um…”

Her voice was so small it was barely audible.

I managed to detect her voice and turned my head.

“Ah, Kawasaki. Do you have any opinions?”

Kawasaki glanced at Miley, then gulped and declared nervously,

“To be honest, I think the dojikko maid is way too outdated…”

A chilling silence fell over the meeting room.

It wasn’t because Kawasaki gave her opinion, it just became silent. The chill was due to the air conditioner.

‘Now that I think about it, the AC is on.’

That’s why it was cold.

I turned off the AC and asked Kawasaki,

“…What is a dojikko maid?”

As I tilted my head, CEO Cha spoke.

“It’s what we were just talking about. The clumsy concept.”

“Aha.”

I nodded.

Really, what would I know about maid concepts? I don’t really know much about popular media.

‘In that respect, Kawasaki might know better. Japan has maid cafes or something.’

Perhaps realizing I didn’t know much, Kawasaki turned to CEO Cha. With a slightly worried, yet determined look in her eyes, she exclaimed,

“The dojikko maid isn’t even old-fashioned…! It’s, it’s quite old-school, and outdated… The, the word… what is it…?”

Unable to think of the Korean word, Kawasaki racked her brains for a while, then finally recalled it.

“Ah! That’s it, it’s like… tteok!”

“…?”

CEO Cha’s face, as if suddenly slapped, froze for a moment, then became horribly distorted. Feeling the now truly chilly atmosphere in the office, I pondered seriously.

‘Who on earth taught Kawasaki Korean?’

What kind of teacher would teach a word like *tteok*?

It was a great mystery.

* * *

“I apologize! I’m so sorry!”

The ‘Kawasaki *Tteok* Declaration Incident’ was somehow resolved.

It was possible due to a few mitigating factors.

First, Kawasaki didn’t intend to insult CEO Cha seriously, the target of *tteok* was ‘dojikko maid’ not CEO Cha, and fundamentally, she was a Japanese person unfamiliar with Korean language and culture.

Moreover, Miley also defended Kawasaki.

Considering Miley’s usual behavior patterns, it was a bit puzzling why she would defend Kawasaki, but Miley claimed it was ‘to record the correct information’ for some unknown reason.

Honestly, I don’t know what that means.

Of course, that didn’t mean CEO Cha, who was suddenly called *tteok* at the company, felt any better.

“No, well… *sigh*. Please be careful in the future.”

“I’m sorry, CEO! I don’t have any excuses! It’s all because I haven’t learned Korean properly!”

“*Sigh*, *sigh*. To think I’d be called *tteok*…”

CEO Cha sighed deeply.

It was understandable. CEO Cha is still only in his late 30s. It must have been a shock for someone like him to be called by such a dreadful word. I understand.

‘Well, time will heal this too.’

At least she didn’t do a dogeza this time. I remembered Kawasaki banging her head on the floor before. The jump she showed back then was quite something.

“So, the piggy-nose maid is too old-fashioned to fit the current trend?”

“Master, it’s not piggy-nose, but dojikko.”

“Right, dojikko.”

Kawasaki, still bent at a 90-degree angle, poked her head up and replied,

“Th, that’s right, Chairman.”

“Then, do you have an alternative?”

At my question, Kawasaki glanced at CEO Cha and slowly straightened up. Roughly a 50-degree posture.

“Of course, I have an alternative! Or rather, it’s my subjective opinion… but I think I have the best understanding of subculture in this company…!”

“So?”

“If possible, could I oversee this project? Of course, I’m still just an employee…!”

I nodded.

“No need for such formalities.”

“Is, is that so? I apologize…”

Kawasaki transformed back into a 90-degree angle again.

I don’t know why she’s so lacking in confidence. Because she’s Japanese… Thinking that is a bit racist.

“Have some confidence. Now that I think about it, Kawasaki, you’re right. I can’t touch a field I don’t know. CEO Cha, do you know much about maids?”

CEO Cha flinched and shook his head.

“I don’t know much.”

“Hmm.”

He seems to know something, though.

“Well, CEO Cha doesn’t know either. It’s better to leave it to someone who knows. This is Kawasaki’s broadcast anyway, so plan it well yourself. The company will support you fully.”

“R, really?”

“Of course.”

Why would I dislike it if she’s taking the initiative?

“Okay. Then finish the plan and bring it to me within three days.”

“Huh?”

“So I can adjust the timetable.”

Kawasaki’s round eyes widened in surprise.

It seems she’s happy and nervous to be in charge of such a big project as an employee.

“Fighting!”

“Eh?”

I smiled and patted Kawasaki’s shoulder in encouragement. Then I headed to the broadcasting room, leaving behind Kawasaki’s repeated ‘Eh?’ sounds.

The meeting’s over, time to go broadcast.

* * *

After Seongwon left with Miley, CEO Cha looked at Kawasaki Shigure, who was still out of it.

“Eh?”

She still kept repeating “Eh, eh” like a broken clock.

“Hmm.”

CEO Cha stroked his chin.

‘I guess it’s okay to forgive her now.’

CEO Cha decided to forgive Kawasaki.