LIGHTNOVELONLINE Episode 163 - Los Angeles
The car exited the freeway via an off-ramp after driving from the airport towards downtown LA.
“Let’s grab a quick coffee before heading to the hotel.”
The members nodded, as they hadn’t had a chance to catch their breath after immediately following the security guards to the car at the airport.
Jung Cheol-min stretched in the back seat.
“Ahhh, finally setting foot on American soil.”
Yeon-woo glanced at James Choi before getting ready to exit the car.
‘First, I need to find out through Team Leader Yoon Mi-yeon if the CEO is also suspicious of James Choi.’
He needed to investigate in more detail how James Choi had joined and what responsibilities he had been assigned for the U.S. schedule.
The car stopped at the cafe, and after the security guards got out first, the group followed.
As they entered the cafe following the guide, there were no customers inside.
“Huh? Business not doing well?”
Though he wouldn’t have understood the Korean, Bernard Penton, who was entering through the door, heard Cheol-min’s muttering and spoke up.
“This is my cafe. We didn’t accept any customers today so that you all could relax comfortably.”
Cheol-min scratched his head after hearing Penton’s words translated through Yeon-woo.
“Oh my, you didn’t have to go that far. We’re only staying for a bit before heading to the hotel.”
“Don’t worry, Penton probably made a lot of money thanks to us anyway.”
“Is that so?”
While the members were ordering drinks and sitting down to catch their breath, Yeon-woo sat next to Team Leader Yoon Mi-yeon and quietly spoke to her.
“Team Leader Yoon, what kind of work is this James supposed to be doing here? Did we have any projects that could attract overseas investment?”
“Well, to be honest, I’m not sure either. He’s from the board of directors…”
Team Leader Yoon Mi-yeon trailed off.
The fact that he was inserted by the board meant that CEO Kim Joo-seong hadn’t sent him.
Anyway, it was clear that James Choi was moving with funds that had flowed out of Baek-sol, whether he knew it or not, so there was no need to look further. Yeon-woo had been watching Team Leader Yoon, not James, on the way to America.
Seeing Team Leader Yoon Mi-yeon discreetly monitoring James Choi’s movements, she had likely received orders from CEO Kim Joo-seong to keep a close watch on him.
‘That means there must be some power struggle between CEO Kim Joo-seong and the board within LN Entertainment.’
Last time, they said that the board and CEO Kim Joo-seong’s side would each recommend one person in the process of appointing an outside director.
But the fact that the person inserted by the board was moving with money from Baek-sol’s pocket meant…
‘For now, it means that either the entire board of LN Entertainment or at least a few influential members have been co-opted by Baek-sol.’
While he would need to keep an eye on James Choi’s movements, the purpose was somewhat predictable.
As he was organizing his thoughts, Jung Soo-yeon approached.
“Yeon-woo. What did you order?”
“Oh, I’m fine. Water is enough.”
Looking around, Dong-ha was standing by the window taking pictures of Han Byul, and Cheol-min was sprawled out in a chair, apparently tired from the long flight.
‘Hmm. James is important, but first we need to successfully wrap up this talk show.’
Fortunately, all the members except Cheol-min could speak English, so it seemed like it would go more smoothly than expected.
Bernard Penton sat down across from Yeon-woo and started talking.
“By the way, the ‘Friday Night Show’, huh? Thanks to Ryu and his group coming to LA, I get to host them.”
“I thought it was in New York at first, but the filming location is LA?”
“Ah, yes. NBS headquarters is in New York, but most of the filming is done in LA. Hollywood is here, after all.”
Come to think of it, it wasn’t strange that the studio was here, since most of the celebrities appearing on talk shows would be residing in LA.
“Right now, the famous production and distribution companies in Hollywood are keeping an eye on Mr. Ryu visiting LA.”
“Me?”
Bernard Penton nodded with a smile.
“Probably for different reasons, I’d say. Snobbish Mount will be grinding their teeth since their ‘Alliance’ ended up taking a hit, and other production companies always pounce on a goose that lays golden eggs.”
Yeon-woo nodded and looked intently at James beyond Penton as he spoke.
“So there might be production companies trying to contact us during this schedule?”
“That’s right. Well, business could be conducted over the phone, but since you’ve come all the way from Korea to their home turf, there’s a high chance they’ll want to show their faces.”
Yeon-woo nodded quietly at those words.
Meanwhile, the writers of the “Friday Night Show” were in the midst of a heated meeting.
“Things are different now compared to then. These actors are young and, more importantly, they’re on a roll right now.”
“Well, I understand that ‘White Blood’ is the biggest hit right now. But that’s about the drama. We’re a talk show. Have you already forgotten the ratings when those Taiwanese actors appeared last time?”
In response to the negative comment, one of the writers nodded and added their opinion.
“Asians are too polite and quiet. Well, that’s good as a person, but their sense of humor doesn’t match ours, so if we drag it out too long, the ratings will plummet. Let’s just do a short opening, grab the ratings, wrap it up, and then insert Bianca for the latter part. I heard she’s having her third wedding soon.”
Then David Powell, the show’s host, stepped in to mediate.
“How about we do this? Since we have some time, let’s film both every other day, and if the ‘White Blood’ actors pull off their segments well, we’ll air it as a standalone. If not, we’ll split it in half for editing. How’s that sound?”
The writers nodded at Powell’s suggestion.
“Alright. Let’s prepare it that way then.”
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After taking a short break at the cafe, the group got back in the car and headed to the hotel.
As the car entered downtown LA, Han Byul looked out the window and exclaimed in amazement.
“Wow. The skyscrapers stretch all the way up to the sky!”
Yeon-woo chuckled at the sight.
“You’re totally Ella, not Han Byul right now.”
The scene reminded him of when they entered the trading city of Thrace.
Seeming to recall the same scene, Jeong Soo-yeon also smiled.
“There are plenty of skyscrapers in Seoul too, why so surprised?”
“Unnie, look at that!”
Han Byul’s head turned busily from side to side.
It seemed like everything was exciting for her, as it was her first time traveling without her parents.
Yeon-woo looked out the window and then turned to ask Bernard Penton,
“Which direction is our hotel?”
“Well, I booked it in Beverly Hills. It’s close to Hollywood where you’ll be filming tomorrow.”
Yeon-woo nodded quietly at Penton’s words.
Beverly Hills became a representative wealthy area as famous foreign celebrities started living there due to its proximity to Hollywood, and ultra-luxurious houses were built.
Just then, Han Byul, who had been listening to the conversation, raised her hand and asked,
“Is there a beach near the hotel too?”
Bernard Penton turned around with a smile.
“Does Ella like the beach?”
Whether it was because the pronunciation of Han Byul was difficult for foreigners, or because Ella’s image matched so well with the real Han Byul, Penton called her Ella.
“Yes! I love the beach.”
Hearing Han Byul’s words, Penton pondered for a moment and then nodded.
“Hmm, you can’t see the ocean from the hotel we’re going to now, but if you want, I can change it. There’s a pretty nice hotel with an ocean view. Would you like to stay there instead?”
When Yeon-woo looked at the members, they all seemed to prefer staying at a hotel with an ocean view if possible.
“Team Leader Yoon, what do you think?”
“Well, the actors’ opinions are important. I’m fine with anything.”
“What about you, sir?”
“Mr. Penton says he can move us to a hotel with an ocean view? I’m all for it.”
After hearing the members’ opinions, Yeon-woo scratched his cheek.
‘Hmm, the Beverly Hills area probably has more upscale hotels, right? If it’s near the beach, it must be around Santa Monica Beach.’
Then he asked Penton,
“Is it okay to change like this so suddenly?”
“Oh, I actually prefer it. The hotel with the ocean view is my property. It’s also easier to provide security there.”
Hearing Penton speak as if it was no big deal, the members’ jaws dropped.
Even Dong-ha, who had been sitting quietly due to fatigue, raised his upper body in surprise.
“Wow. This guy must be super rich.”
Indeed.
Bernard Penton…
He was quite wealthy.
“Then let’s go there. Sorry for the inconvenience.”
“Haha, it’s no inconvenience at all. I had booked the other one just because it was closer to Hollywood, thinking you might be tired, but I’m actually happier if you come to my hotel.”
With that, the car changed direction and headed towards Santa Monica Beach.
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“Wow, this is like heaven.”
Jung Cheol-min looked at the scenery with an excited expression, saying he was getting to enjoy such luxury thanks to this opportunity.
The timing of their arrival coincided with the sunset, and the sight of the sun setting over Santa Monica Beach beautifully tinted the hotel in a crimson hue.
“Since it’s a private residence, you can use this entire building.”
“Mr. Penton, you’re the best!”
“Thank you, Mr. Penton.”
Bernard Penton grinned at the actors’ greetings.
“This is nothing compared to the benefits you’ve brought me.”
Recently, Bernard Penton’s position in Hollywood had been declining, even being overshadowed by Jake who had risen to prominence not long ago, but the success of “White Blood” brought about a dramatic rise in his reputation.
It wasn’t even a collaboration with powerful Hollywood companies.
The fact that he achieved success by collaborating with LN Media, a company unheard of on the world stage although relatively big in South Korea, had a significant impact.
David and Goliath.
The underdog effect.
The structure of the weak defeating the strong was always enough to garner people’s interest, and that was no different even for Hollywood insiders.
“Woah! Unnie, unnie! Come up to the second floor!”
“Han Byul, be careful not to fall while running.”
Han Byul was running around excitedly, and Jeong Soo-yeon followed her up to the second floor with a smile.
“Yeon-woo, I think I’ll lie down on the sun bed and watch the sunset for a bit.”
“Yes, sir. You must be tired, please rest.”
And Dong-ha took out his smartphone and went out to the yard where the pool was.
“Hyung, I’m going to shoot a TikTok. Want to join me?”
“It’s okay. I’m not good at that kind of thing. Do it with Han Byul later.”
“Okay!”
Then, from somewhere, he set up a tripod with his smartphone on it and started doing a short dance in front of it.
‘Hmm, so this is what young people these days are like.’
Unlike the relatively mature Akhenaton, Dong-ha was the epitome of today’s Gen Z.
Not that he was disrespectful or immature in his thinking, but…
How should I put it?
“He’s quite trendy.”
Hearing Bernard Penton’s words as they watched together, Yeon-woo nodded.
“Indeed.”
“According to my sources, some of the producers of the ‘Friday Night Show’ are worried that tomorrow’s filming might not be interesting. Hollywood show producers tend to have such prejudices against Asian actors.”
Hearing those words, Yeon-woo grinned.
Having lived abroad for so long, and having honed his conversational skills through extensive social activities during his covert operations,
He was confident he could dominate tomorrow’s set.