Peninsula: Please, I only want to talk about ordinary people.

Chapter 17 A New Job

When Jiang Yongtai pushed open the door to the conference room, the clock on the wall had just ticked past 12:30.

The people in the room clearly had no intention of going to lunch. The table was covered with printed proposals and site visit photos, and the coffee in the paper cups was already empty.

Any production team would be overwhelmed by a hastily put-together shooting schedule, and everyone's expression clearly said "not enough time."

Sun Changyu, who was in the main seat, clapped his hands when he saw him enter.

"Wait a minute, our reinforcements have arrived."

Everyone turned to look at the doorway.

Jiang Yongtai bowed slightly and said, "Hello, I am Jiang Yongtai."

Sun Changyu stood up, walked around, and shook hands with him.

"Hello, thank you for your help this time. I am the main PD of the show, Sun Changyu."

He turned around and first pointed to the two people next to him.

The lead writer, Park Soo-bin, nodded at him, the evidence of his all-nighter visible under his eyes.

Executive writer Choi Min-young, who looked younger, was pushing a revised project outline to the person next to her.

"Oh, right, and assistant writers too. You should know them better than we do."

Kim Sung-woo sat at the far end of the long table, holding a notebook in his hand, and grinned at him.

He arrived a few minutes earlier than Kang Young-tae and had already become the youngest writer.

Jiang Yongtai nodded to the two writers.

Sun Changyu continued his introduction: two ADs—assistant PDs, three FDs—on-site executioners, and a camera director, who sat by the window with his arms crossed and nodded at him.

Jiang Yongtai nodded to each of them, his gaze sweeping across the conference room before his brows furrowed slightly.

Is that all there are?

Sun Changyu saw through it and explained with a wry smile:

"Yongtai-xi, I know there are a few people, but there's nothing I can do. Originally, we had PD Lee Yoon-ho, my former partner, but he had to stay at the company to handle the remaining editing materials and couldn't spare the time."

So this is the only crew we had for the location shooting in Jeju Island.

Jiang Yongtai nodded, having already mentally counted the number of people.

Korean variety show production teams have always had a very detailed division of labor.

The lead PD oversees the entire process, the AD is responsible for monitoring individual camera positions and coordinating guest movement, the FD is constantly coordinating between the shooting area and non-shooting area, and the cinematographer assists the director in determining camera positions and composition.

Besides these individuals, the writers' team is also indispensable. The lead writer oversees the overall content, the executive writer manages the task design and dialogue feedback for each group, and the assistant writers are responsible for recording impromptu jokes and details that are cut into the on-screen text.

Next up are the production crew, sound crew, and lighting crew; these people are scouting locations in Jeju Island in advance.

The camera crew is more complex in its composition.

One part consists of the production company's own camera team, while the other part consists of outsourced independent camera crews.

The three major television networks each maintain their own camera crews, while the CJ system relies more on long-term outsourced teams.

The camera crew that Sun Changyu was working with was also outsourced, and the equipment allocation in Jeju Island had been arranged in advance.

Normally, a program of the size of "Heartbreaking Trip" would have at least forty people in the production team and camera crew when filming on location.

The camera crew alone could be mobilized to film two groups of guests simultaneously.

However, during this pandemic, manpower was temporarily drawn up from the two groups, and they could only put together a total of more than twenty people.

"I'll have to trouble you this time." Sun Changyu pushed a proposal in front of him.

"I was originally planning to let everyone go out to eat, but since you're here, let's finalize this plan first."

Jiang Yongtai opened the proposal, his attention already drawn to the main topic.

"Let me first coordinate with you on the planning for this Jeju Island special episode."

He tapped the program logo on the paper with his pen.

"You should know the basic pattern of 'Heartbreaking Trip': given a budget, experience a high-quality trip with a three-day, two-night itinerary framework."

This model is most compelling when filming overseas, because language barriers and different currencies make budget planning a fascinating aspect in itself.

But this time, filming was moved to Jeju Island, which reduced the natural budget conflict associated with overseas locations, and the duration was extended to two days and one night. I heard from PD Na that you worked on "2 Days & 1 Night," which is perfect timing.

"So we readjusted the direction of the project."

Park Soo-bin picked up the conversation, pointing her finger at the schedule.

"The budget limit has been reduced to 60% of what was originally intended for overseas filming, but the quality of the experience cannot be compromised."

Jeju Island's black pork, seaside guesthouses, Hallasan Mountain hiking trails... these are high-quality local experiences. The core focus of the program is how to achieve these experiences with a limited budget.

In other words, the previous feeling of being "helpless and helpless abroad" has been replaced by the contrast of "feeling just as strained even when we're at home."

Sun Changyu nodded and continued:

"Next is the guest lineup. As you've probably heard, the original regular cast had scheduling conflicts, so we've put together a completely new lineup, all of them female guests."

He pushed a printed list in front of Jiang Yongtai.

"I originally wanted to find four female idols to sit at a table, but when you're on a show, you need someone who can host and control the flow. If four idols stand in front of the camera, they may be pretty, but if they fall on the ground and no one catches them, that would be a problem."

He pointed to the name at the top of the list.

"So in the end, we found Zhang Dulian, a comedian and a veteran of variety shows, to be the main MC leading the team. She was responsible for eating, managing money, and negotiating with merchants."

These steps require someone to guide you, and the others just need to follow along and cooperate.

Jiang Yongtai nodded and moved his finger down; the second person on the list was Narsha.

Sun Changyu continued, "Narsha, a member of Brown Eyed Girls, is a veteran idol with sufficient experience and good variety show skills. She has appeared in many other variety shows."

"We chose her because we needed someone who could talk to Zhang Dulian, so that the atmosphere wouldn't be awkward when the two of them went back and forth."

"Xu Xian?" Kang Young-tae read out the third name and raised his eyes.

"Yes, Seohyun." Sun Changyu nodded.

"Girls' Generation's Seohyun has been in the industry for over ten years and has a great rapport with audiences. She's also recently started to move towards acting and can give relatively stable responses on variety shows."

She's not the loud, boisterous type, but she's very natural, and the camera likes that. She also knows Narsha, so there's a natural chemistry between them.

Jiang Yongtai's gaze fell on the last name, and Sun Changyu's voice followed at the opportune moment.

"Zhao Meiyan of gidle is the youngest of the four and is also a rising star."

We had contacted several girl groups for this position, but their schedules were all unavailable. However, Zhao Meiyan's agency quickly responded, saying that she happened to have a few days free recently.

Jiang Yongtai looked at those three words on the list and his lips twitched slightly.

Sun Changyu didn't notice his expression and continued speaking:

"This is the lineup: one main MC leading three idols, with the two teams operating independently on Jeju Island."

The production team provides a fixed budget, which covers all their food, lodging, and transportation. How much is left over depends on their own abilities.

Jang Do-yeon and Narsha are divided into two teams, with Seohyun and Cho Mi-yeon joining one team respectively. However, the specific team roles and details are not yet clear.

He tapped on the table.

"That's why I called everyone here today."

Lead writer Park Soo-bin took over, turning a page of the PowerPoint presentation on the screen, which displayed aerial photos of Jeju Island.

"The shooting schedule is two days and one night, with intensive shooting. The outdoor locations have already been scouted."

The western route includes Hyeopjae Beach and the Aewol Handam Beach Trail, while the eastern route includes Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak and Seopjikoji, interspersed with an Olle Market and a traditional Hanok experience.

These places don't require admission, which aligns with the program's "experience more with less money" theme.

She paused, then adjusted her glasses.

"But the specific task lines haven't been finalized yet. For example, how much budget to allocate to each team, how to design the game segments, where to place the meal segment, and where to place the hidden missions—these are all things that need to be finalized today."

Executive writer Choi Min-young added from the side: "The weather in Jeju Island is still unstable. The sea breeze is strong at the end of March, so there may be changes in the outdoor recording."

We prepared two contingency plans, one for sunny days and one for stormy days.

Sun Changyu looked at Jiang Yongtai.

"Yongtai, you'll mainly be leading one team this time, responsible for coordinating the filming with that group of guests. How should the teams be divided? You can take a look..."

……

The meeting dragged on for another two hours, and we went through three rounds of coffee. The whiteboard was covered with route arrows and task markers.

The map of Jeju Island was repeatedly erased, the setup of several game segments was overturned twice, and the figures on the budget sheet were changed several times with red pen by Park Soo-bin.

Until a stomach growl echoed in the conference room.

Kim Sung-woo awkwardly raised his hand, looking embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, everyone..."

Choi Min-young was the first to laugh, and the tension that had been building in the meeting room for so long finally eased.

Sun Changyu smiled, put down his pen, and clapped his hands.

"I'm so sorry to have made everyone miss lunch. It's my fault."

He turned to look at Jiang Yongtai, "Yongtai-xi, let's proceed as planned."

Jiang Yongtai nodded and flipped back to the page in his notebook where he had written his notes.

"Okay, I'll take charge of Narsha and Seohyun's filming on the first day, and the rest of the group will go up Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak together in the early morning of the second day."

"That's settled then."

Sun Changyu stood up, and his chair slid back with a soft thud.

"There's not much food left in the cafeteria, so let's order takeout. It's on me."

Upon hearing this, the people present instantly became excited, and several AD and FD players clapped and shouted "Long live PD-nim!"

Sun Changyu smiled and gestured for them to keep their voices down so as not to disturb the people in the next conference room.

Jiang Yongtai smiled and looked up at him, "Isn't it too much of a waste for you, senior?"

Sun Changyu waved his hand.

"It's alright, I used a corporate card. The filming schedule was tight this time, so it's rare for the higher-ups to be so generous."

He lowered his voice and added to Jiang Yongtai, "Spend it quickly before they change their minds."

Choi Min-young was the first to respond, throwing her pen on the table and raising her hand to shout:

"PD-nim! In that case, I'll order pasta!"

"Order whatever you want, as long as you can finish it." Sun Changyu waved his hand, "As long as you can eat it all."

Choi Min-young picked up her phone and started browsing food delivery apps, while the FD next to her also chimed in with their menus.

Sun Changyu turned to look at Jiang Yongtai, his tone a little more familiar than at the beginning.

"PD Yongtai, can I call you Yongtai? We'll be working together from now on, so there's no need to be so formal."

"Of course, senior."

Jiang Yongtai nodded slightly.

In the Korean workplace, if someone is willing to let you omit honorifics, it means they consider you one of their own.

Sun Changyu smacked his lips, looked him up and down, and looked pleased.

"I was so busy finalizing the filming schedule that I didn't have a chance to say it, but Young Tae, you're so young and handsome! tvN has finally brought in some fresh talent this time."

Park Soo-bin smiled and chimed in.

"That's right, Min-young secretly glanced at Young-tae PD several times during the meeting, I saw it all."

"Unnie!"

Choi Min-young abruptly looked up from her phone screen, her ears turning red, and glanced at Kang Young-tae.

Jiang Yongtai returned her a polite smile, and she quickly turned her attention back to the food delivery page.

Park Soo-bin didn't care about that; she was more than a decade older than Kang Young-tae and asked questions without any restraint.

"Yongtai PD, do you have a girlfriend now?"

Jiang Yongtai was taken aback by the author's directness.

The image of Sana Minatozaki glaring at him last night flashed through his mind...

He shook his head. "Not now, writer-nim."

Park Soo-bin nodded in satisfaction. "That's great. You absolutely have to attend the company social event next month."

"...A club social event?"

Jiang Yongtai was somewhat surprised. tvN has something like this?

Sun Changyu patted him on the shoulder and explained:

"Yes, the company regularly organizes internal social events. We're different from others; we don't oppose dating within the company."

People in this industry have very irregular work hours and holidays, and there's basically no normal social interaction. There are too many single people in this industry.

The company decided to hold regular social gatherings, since only those in the same industry can truly understand our lifestyles.

"Can I participate too!"

Kim Sung-woo peeked over from the other end of the long table, his eyes instantly lighting up.

Sun Changyu chuckled twice.

"Of course you can. Xiubin is the organizer this time. You can register with her."

Kim Sung-woo immediately shifted his focus, looking pitifully at Park Soo-bin.

"Senpai-nim..."

Park Soo-bin glanced at him indifferently.

"Okay, bring me breakfast for a week, and I'll let you participate."

Kim Sung-woo opened his mouth, let out a resigned sigh, and slumped back into his chair.

A few FDs nearby came over and joked with him, saying that the writer Kim's breakfast money was well spent.

Jiang Yongtai looked at them with a smile.

This team is quite different from the ones he's worked with before. Sun Changyu will take the initiative to change the atmosphere within the team, and Park Soo-bin will also be careful with his jokes.

No one was deliberately putting on airs like a senior.

Sun Changyu raised his hand to look at his watch, bringing the topic back on track.

"Alright, everyone, let's order something to eat first. We still have a lot of preparations to do; we'll be working overtime tonight!"

These words immediately broke the harmonious atmosphere, which had just been filled with sighs.

He turned to Jiang Yongtai, "Yongtai, Zhao Meiyan and Xu Xian will be coming over tonight for a pre-interview. Can you go with them? Is that alright?"

Jiang Yongtai nodded: "No problem, senior."

"Just call me Brother Changyu."

Sun Changyu put away his previous expression and adopted a more serious but also more casual tone.

At first, the young man only knew two things.

He was interviewed by both department heads at the same time; he was the person that Na Young-seok had his eye on.

I initially thought it was some rich kid coming to tvN to gain experience, but during the meeting just now, Kang Young-tae's grasp and judgment of the project's pace were very accurate.

"That's settled then." Sun Changyu nodded to everyone at the table.

"Let's all work together to make these two episodes great!"

Everyone nodded in agreement, and the notification sounds from the food delivery apps echoed from the corner.

Jiang Yongtai looked down at his phone.

Mina just sent me an emoji: a little penguin holding a game controller—a secret code between them that they don't need to say much.

He typed: "Sorry, Nan-chan, I have to work overtime tonight."

After sending it, he raised his phone and took a picture of the empty coffee cup on the table, next to a proposal covered in notes.

He sent the photo and added, "Who said we should practice not playing games lately?"