11: Chapter 11 Recruiting Professional Managers

Late at night, Cheongdam-dong.

Qian Xu stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

Looking at the night view of Seoul.

His phone rang.

It was a message from Ham Eun-jung.

"Mr. Qian, thank you for today."

"The sisters of T-ARA are all very moved."

Qian Xu replied: "It's what I should do."

"We'll start preparing the comeback plan tomorrow."

Ham Eun-jung: "Okay."

"I will prepare a detailed proposal."

Qian Xu thought for a moment.

"Ms. Eun-jung."

"Hmm?"

"Have you had a manager before?"

There was silence on the other end for a moment.

"Yes."

"But after the company went bankrupt, he left."

"We can't reach him now."

Qian Xu frowned.

"So you don't have a manager right now?"

"No."

"I handle all the scheduling myself."

Ham Eun-jung gave a bitter smile.

"Including commercial events, public appearances, and even salon appointments."

Qian Xu understood.

T-ARA has nothing right now.

No management team.

No promotional channels.

No resource connections.

They only have six people.

And a heart that wants to make a comeback.

"I see."

"Come to the company tomorrow."

"Let's talk about building the team."

Ham Eun-jung: "Okay."

Early the next morning.

The first thing Qian Xu did after waking up.

Opened his mobile banking app.

Balance: 23.74 billion KRW.

Spent 9 billion yesterday to buy a house.

1.5 billion for a car.

13.24 billion left.

Plus the 11.37 billion that arrived today.

A total of 24.61 billion KRW.

That's enough.

He finished washing up and put on a suit.

Drove to Apgujeong.

The temporary office of Yunmengze Entertainment.

Nine in the morning.

Qian Xu arrived at the office.

Ham Eun-jung was already waiting at the door.

She was wearing a white shirt and black trousers.

Her hair was tied in a low ponytail.

Capable.

"Mr. Qian, good morning."

"Morning, let's go in and talk."

The two walked into the office.

Qian Xu opened his computer.

"Ms. Eun-jung, what do you think T-ARA needs for a comeback?"

Ham Eun-jung thought for a moment.

"First, we need a manager."

"To be responsible for scheduling, media, and business."

"Second, we need a promotional team."

"Responsible for social media, fan management, and public relations."

"Finally, we need a production team."

"Responsible for music production, choreography, and styling."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Do you know anyone reliable?"

Ham Eun-jung shook her head.

"We've been blacklisted for six years."

"People in the industry don't dare to have anything to do with us."

"Even if I knew someone, they wouldn't dare to come."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Then we'll find people who don't know us."

"What do you mean?"

"Public recruitment."

Qian Xu opened a recruitment website.

"Post it on the largest recruitment platform in Korea."

"Recruit a professional manager."

"Annual salary of 300 million KRW."

Ham Eun-jung was stunned.

"300 million KRW?"

"Yes."

"The average annual salary for a CEO of a Korean entertainment company is only about 200 million."

"If we offer 300 million, people will definitely come."

Ham Eun-jung frowned.

"But Mr. Qian, our company was just established."

"Even the office is temporary."

"Who will believe us?"

Qian Xu looked at her.

"Then we'll make them believe."

Ten in the morning.

Qian Xu contacted the largest recruitment platform in Korea.

Job Korea.

"Hello, I'd like to post a job opening."

"May I ask the name of your company?"

"Yunmengze Entertainment."

"Industry?"

"Entertainment/Culture."

"Position?"

"Professional manager."

"Salary?"

"Annual salary of 300 million KRW."

The person on the other end paused for a moment.

"300 million KRW?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay, I will post it for you immediately."

Ten minutes later.

The job posting went live.

[Yunmengze Entertainment - Professional Manager Recruitment]

Salary: Annual salary of 300 million KRW

Location: Gangnam District, Seoul

Responsibilities:

Responsible for overall company operation and management

Formulate artist development strategies

Connect with domestic and international resources

Build and manage teams

Requirements:

10+ years of experience in the entertainment industry

Experience in idol group management

Understand the Chinese entertainment market

Proficiency in Korean and Chinese preferred

Successful track record preferred

After the posting went live.

Qian Xu's phone started vibrating.

Resumes flooded in.

First hour: 12.

Second hour: 28.

Third hour: 47.

Ham Eun-jung looked at the phone screen.

Her eyes grew wider and wider.

"Mr. Qian..."

"47 resumes?"

"This is only in three hours."

Qian Xu drank coffee.

"It's normal."

"Annual salary of 300 million KRW."

"In the Korean entertainment industry, this salary ranks in the top 5%."

Ham Eun-jung flipped through the resumes.

"This one... former Department Head of Planning at SM Entertainment."

"This one... head of JYP China."

"This one... Content Director of CJ ENM."

"They are all from big companies."

Qian Xu put down his coffee cup.

"Filter them."

"Focus on three conditions."

"First, understand the Chinese entertainment market."

"Second, have experience in idol group management."

"Third, be able to bring a team over."

Ham Eun-jung nodded.

Started screening carefully.

Two hours later.

Ham Eun-jung gave the screening results to Qian Xu.

"Mr. Qian, I've screened out 10."

"They all meet the basic requirements."

Qian Xu took them.

Glanced over them.

"This one, Representative Kim."

"Former Department Head of Planning at SM Entertainment."

"Responsible for EXO's activities in China."

"Understands the Chinese market."

"This one, Director Lee."

"Head of JYP China."

"Responsible for TWICE's Chinese albums."

"This one, Director Park."

"Content Director of CJ ENM."

"Responsible for Mnet's audition programs."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Schedule interviews with them."

"Set the time for tomorrow."

"The location is at the company."

Ham Eun-jung was stunned.

"Tomorrow?"

"Isn't that too fast?"

"Not fast."

Qian Xu stood up.

"T-ARA's comeback, the faster the better."

"The fans have waited six years."

"We can't wait any longer."

Ham Eun-jung looked at him.

Her eyes were a bit red.

"Mr. Qian..."

"Thank you."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Don't thank me."

"I just think."

"Good people deserve good rewards."

Three in the afternoon.

Ham Eun-jung started making calls.

The first one.

"Hello, is this Representative Kim?"

"I am Ham Eun-jung, Director of Yunmengze Entertainment."

"We have received your resume."

"We would like to invite you for an interview tomorrow at 2 PM."

The person on the other end was silent for two seconds.

"Ham Eun-jung? Ham Eun-jung from T-ARA?"

"Yes."

"Your company... is it real?"

"It's real."

"Okay, I'll be there on time tomorrow."

The second one.

"Hello, Director Lee."

"I am Ham Eun-jung from Yunmengze Entertainment."

"Is it convenient for an interview tomorrow at 3 PM?"

"Yes."

"I happened to want to learn more about your company."

The third one.

"Hello, Director Park."

"Is 4 PM tomorrow okay?"

"Okay."

"I happen to be very interested in T-ARA's comeback."

Hung up the phone.

Ham Eun-jung looked at the phone.

Her palms were sweaty.

She turned to look at Qian Xu.

"Mr. Qian, everything is scheduled."

"Tomorrow from 2 PM to 4 PM."

"Three interviews."

Qian Xu nodded.

"Okay."

"You'll interview with me tomorrow."

"Me?"

"Yes."

"You are a company director."

"And also the leader of T-ARA."

"You understand what they need better than I do."

Ham Eun-jung took a deep breath.

"Okay."

Evening.

Qian Xu returned home.

Stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.

Looking at the night view of Seoul.

His phone rang.

It was a message from Jeon Bo-ram.

"Mr. Qian."

"Hmm?"

"I made kimbap today."

"I wanted to let you taste it."

Qian Xu smiled.

"Okay."

"I'll come down."

He changed into casual clothes.

Took the elevator to the 17th floor.

Rang the doorbell.

Jeon Bo-ram opened the door.

She was wearing pink loungewear.

Her hair was tied up casually.

She was holding a plate of kimbap in her hands.

"For you."

"I made it."

"It might not be very good..."

Qian Xu took it.

Picked up a piece.

Took a bite.

The rice was a bit hard.

The seaweed was a bit soggy.

The filling was a bit salty.

But he still finished the piece.

"It's delicious."

Jeon Bo-ram's eyes lit up.

"Really?"

"Really."

"Then... then eat some more."

Qian Xu looked at her.

Jeon Bo-ram stood at the door.

The light shone on her face.

No makeup.

But her skin was very good.

Her eyes were sparkling.

"Boram-xi."

"Hmm?"

"Company interviews tomorrow."

"Do you want to come along?"

Jeon Bo-ram was stunned.

"Interviews?"

"Yes."

"Recruiting a professional manager."

"Annual salary of 300 million KRW."

Jeon Bo-ram opened her mouth.

"300 million KRW?"

"Yes."

"I... can I go?"

"Of course."

"You are a T-ARA member."

"And also a signed artist of the company."

"You have the right to know who is managing the company."

Jeon Bo-ram nodded.

"Okay."

"Then I'll go tomorrow."

"What time?"

"2 PM."

"At the company."

"Okay."

Qian Xu held the kimbap.

Turned around to go upstairs.

"Mr. Qian."

He turned back.

Jeon Bo-ram stood at the door.

"Thank you."

"Thank you for everything you've done for T-ARA."

Qian Xu smiled.

"You're welcome."

"Good night, Boram-xi."

"Good night, Qian Xu."

The elevator door closed.

Qian Xu looked at the kimbap in his hand.

Although it wasn't good.

It was very warm.

He remembered the look in Jeon Bo-ram's eyes just now.

That kind of anticipation.

That kind of trust.

He smiled.

Returned to the 18th floor.

Opened the door.

Put the kimbap on the table.

Took out his phone.

Sent a message to Ham Eun-jung.

"Boram is coming to the interview tomorrow too."

Ham Eun-jung replied quickly.

"Okay."

"She made kimbap today?"

"Yes."

"Is it good?"

Qian Xu thought for a moment.

"It's alright."

Ham Eun-jung sent a giggling emoji.

"She never cooks."

"You are the first person to eat food made by her."

Qian Xu was stunned for a moment.

Then he smiled.

"Then I'm quite honored."

"Good night, Ms. Eun-jung."

"Good night, Mr. Qian."

Outside the window.

The night in Seoul.

Brightly lit.

Qian Xu stood in front of the window.

Looking at this city.

Two months ago.

He was still a bottom-level employee scolded by his Korean supervisor.

Now.

He has a company.

Has a team.

Has T-ARA.

Has Jeon Bo-ram's kimbap.

He smiled.

Tomorrow.

A new beginning.