Chapter 9: Advertising Genius Myung Do-hyuk

Han Jin-sung's house was quiet.

It was so quiet that even the doorbell echoed through the air, a peaceful and charming neighborhood in a new town slightly away from Seoul, filled with high-end residences.

Do-hyuk got out of Tack Gi-jun's car and looked up at Han Jin-sung's mansion.

'Seems like he's made a lot of money. Well, he was the top in the industry for over a decade, after all.'

Han Jin-sung was known for his unparalleled recognition and popularity in the voice acting world.

So, even though he's retiring, there are still many people looking for him.

Fortunately, Tack Gi-jun, a quick-witted AE, swiftly contacted his close associate and received permission to visit.

It meant they could at least see Han Jin-sung's face.

"Even though he's willing to meet us, I'm still at a loss about what to say."

"Well, we'll just have to see how it goes."

"Actually, I tried to recruit him once before and got rejected. That's why this time, I didn't go through his manager and came directly."

Good move. Sometimes, managers can be more frustrating than the celebrities themselves, as they have to consider the company's stance and can't make spontaneous schedules.

While they were having this brief conversation, the gate of the mansion opened, and they finally entered Han Jin-sung's house.

* * *

It was a magnificent three-story building with a vast expanse of green lawn.

The only unusual thing was the complete lack of trees.

"What, there are only lawns in the garden? That's strange."

"Yeah, it is."

At first glance, it looked like a golf course.

The lawn garden seemed to forebode a future where voice acting was completely abandoned, a rather ominous sight.

"That way!"

Seeing them enter, Han Jin-sung waved from a distance.

He was holding a golf club in one hand, wearing a glove.

It made Do-hyuk mutter to himself, 'Seems like he's going down the same path as before.'

Do-hyuk had a reason for confidently telling Kim Young-suk, the CEO, that he would try to recruit Han Jin-sung.

According to Do-hyuk's memory, Han Jin-sung once retracted his retirement.

He had boldly declared that he would no longer do voice acting, but eventually returned after a few years.

He was actively working until Do-hyuk's regression.

The reason for his retirement was that damned golf.

Han Jin-sung was known for his eccentric and spontaneous nature.

Do-hyuk had laughed out loud when he saw an article about Han Jin-sung suddenly quitting his successful voice acting career to become a professional golfer.

In the end, he devoted himself to golf, wasted time, and returned to voice acting, working very hard.

He even dabbled in the golf business, losing his fortune in the process.

As he walked towards Han Jin-sung, he barely managed to suppress a burst of laughter at the sight of him putting.

His putting was a mess.

'Really, what makes him think he can become a pro with that skill?'

When it comes to golf, it's Myung Do-hyuk.

Do-hyuk recalled his past life.

He was so good at golf that he was known as "Myung Pro" alongside "Myung Copy."

Golf was his only hobby that soothed his tough daily life and was also a must for AEs, who mainly handled sales.

At first, he followed Han Su-chul, an AE, to screen practice ranges, but later became much better than Han Su-chul.

He was so skilled that he was often called to assist AEs in field sales, even though he was a copywriter.

To Do-hyuk, Han Jin-sung's form was clearly hopeless.

In golf, the only thing not judged by form is putting.

While the stance is crucial for irons and drivers, putting is proven by results.

Putting forms vary widely among pros, and golfers' styles are usually respected.

'Even so, his arm is so tense. The ball would fly out even if it were going in.'

Unaware of this, Han Jin-sung turned to them with a friendly smile.

"You've come a long way. Is the CEO doing well?"

"Yes, sir. It's an honor to meet you. I'm Tack Gi-jun from Taekang Ad, and this is my intern. He's been chasing me around to learn the ropes."

"Did he follow you reluctantly?"

Do-hyuk forced a smile and greeted Han Jin-sung.

"I'm Myung Do-hyuk. I grew up listening to your voice, and it's amazing to hear it in person."

"Nice to meet you. Please, have a seat."

"By the way, it seems you play golf, sir."

While Han Jin-sung politely offered them seats, Tack Gi-jun tried to find a common interest to keep the conversation going.

Finding a point of interest is the first task of an AE.

Han Jin-sung, greatly satisfied that Tack Gi-jun showed interest in golf, took off his glove.

"I'm completely obsessed with golf these days. It's so much fun."

"Hey, this guy skips meals and doesn't sleep because of golf. It's like he's in his third year of high school or something."

"Hmm, it's just a lot of passion."

Han Jin-sung's wife, who brought coffee to the garden, rolled her eyes and scolded him.

Han Jin-sung pretended not to notice and started to explain.

"Once I get into something, I can't see anything else."

"Ugh, I can't live like this. I'll leave now. Let me know if you need anything."

"What can you do with a personality like this?"

"His determination to see things through is why he's been at the top for so long."

As soon as Han Jin-sung's wife left, Tack Gi-jun started to flatter him.

Flattery is the second virtue of an AE.

Praise makes not only whales but also advertisers, celebrities, and even Han Jin-sung dance.

"So, you're not going to do voice acting anymore. I'm not sure if this trip was in vain."

"I knew you were aware of my retirement, but it's still good to meet you."

Wearing a mask of goodwill is a must for an AE.

Tack Gi-jun, who must have been disappointed by Han Jin-sung's immediate refusal, smiled brightly.

'Oh, this is going to be tough. How do I persuade him?'

Do-hyuk, a copywriter by origin, had observed AEs' conversations countless times.

The main job of an AE is persuasion.

Whether meeting advertisers or celebrities, or competing in presentations, the goal is to persuade someone to be on your side.

This leads to securing talent or good media, or opening the advertiser's wallet. That's the core of advertising sales.

Now, Do-hyuk had to persuade Han Jin-sung.

He was here to sell, after all.

After a bit of thought, Do-hyuk turned the conversation back to golf.

For a stubborn person like Han Jin-sung, no other topic would stick.

"When did you start playing golf, sir?"

"Ah! You seem to know a thing or two about golf. I can tell from how you talk."

"Yes, my father loves golf, so I've been following him around."

Do-hyuk's father knew nothing about golf, but he had to use this excuse.

Back then, golf wasn't popular, so a mid-20s golf expert would seem strange.

Sure enough, Han Jin-sung's eyes lit up with interest.

He decided to get a bit closer through golf and then...

'I doubt this will work, but I want to try to dissuade you. Your golf business will ruin you.'

He recalled Han Jin-sung's future, where he would lose everything and end up doing minor ads.

Unaware of Do-hyuk's bitter thoughts, Han Jin-sung stood up and handed him a golf club.

"Would you like to try putting? This lawn is just like a field."

"The lawn is really nice. Wait, is this, by any chance, a Starcato Melon limited edition?"

"Indeed, you recognize it."

This guy's equipment is like Tiger Woods'.

A high-end brand's luxury item, and this version is one of the few limited editions.

No wonder he'll fail.

Do-hyuk barely hid his sigh as he took the golf club.

"It's been a while for me, but I'll try to loosen up a bit."

Han Jin-sung's eyes sparkled with excitement.

He genuinely admired Do-hyuk's pure passion and started putting slowly.

Seeing this, Han Jin-sung was surprised.

"Wait, are you a pro?"

Fortunately, he had an eye for recognizing skilled players.

Golf was his only hobby in his past life.

He passed the semi-pro test on his first try and received full membership from the Korean Professional Golf Association.

He was drawn to the field just because he was a pro.

Advertisers who loved golf were all excited.

He could correct stances and give decent lessons.

Han Jin-sung, with wide eyes, asked for a look at his putting and took the club.

Thud, thud, thud.

A ridiculous putting stroke summarized in three sounds.

A sigh escaped him.

"Nice! Nice! For your age, you're quite good."

Surprisingly, Tack Gi-jun was genuinely impressed and clapped.

'How do AEs hide these automatic sighs?'

Feeling stifled, Do-hyuk approached Han Jin-sung and corrected his stance.

"First, relax completely. Then, approach it as if you're lowering your left shoulder."

"Our pro says the same thing, but it doesn't work for me."

"Try pushing it like this."

He subtly corrected the left arm's position and extended his arm to putt together.

Pro instructors, who are naturally talented, never understand this stifling feeling.

They can do things without effort.

Do-hyuk, who started golfing a bit later in life, understood Han Jin-sung's struggles well.

He patiently and persistently helped him with his stance over ten times, and finally, Han Jin-sung's swing became natural.

Han Jin-sung, with his corrected stance, started putting.

The ball rolled smoothly into the hole.

Han Jin-sung, greatly satisfied, turned to Do-hyuk and said,

"Hey, Myung Pro, how about a round on the field?"

* * *

The meeting room at Taekang Ad, where Do-hyuk and Tack Gi-jun returned, was a battlefield.

The intern, who had barely managed to get the manager's phone number, was busy making calls, while some just sat there in a daze.

A challenging recruitment mission. Han Jin-sung, who rarely revealed his personal life, was only found by Tack Gi-jun through connections in the planning department.

He was stubbornly playing golf at home.

How could a fresh college graduate intern find and recruit Han Jin-sung?

Especially Kim Min-sung, who had glared at Do-hyuk during the last mission, was a sight to behold.

His face, twisted in frustration, seemed to mutter complaints even when he was silent.

Seeing Do-hyuk and Tack Gi-jun enter the meeting room, he openly frowned.

Tack Gi-jun, oblivious, put his arm around Do-hyuk's neck and whispered.

"Hey, Myung Do-hyuk. I really picked you. Come to the planning department. Be an AE."

"I'm aspiring to be a copywriter, though?"

"Seems like you look like a copywriter, but this industry is all about AEs. I'll really take care of you and make you shine. What do you say?"

"I'm still an intern, and a college student at that."

"Don't worry about that."

I'll keep taking care of you, right?

Tack Gi-jun, seeing Do-hyuk's amused expression, answered a call that came in.

"Yes, yes??"

Tack Gi-jun, eyes wide open, put down his phone and urged.

"Myung Do-hyuk, let's go to the lobby right now."

"What's going on...?"

"Kim Young-suk, the CEO of Ilera Furniture, is here at the company."

"Really? At the company?"

"He's here to see the CEO."

Seeing each other, they started running towards the lobby.