Chapter 10: The Land of Dragon Rising in Difficult Conditions The next day, Jin Shiming and Suzuki Taichi, accompanied by a real estate agent, visited several properties that had been screened in advance. After comparing three properties, Kim Se-myeong finally chose an old commercial building in Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam District, Seoul. Of course, the entire building was not rented out, but rather the basement floor of the building was rented out separately. Enter from a small door near the main entrance of the building and walk down the long and narrow staircase, and you will find the "dragon's rise" of BD Entertainment, which is about to settle there. Since it is a basement and there are no windows on the floor, the lighting and ventilation conditions can be imagined. The lighting and ventilation equipment must be running at all times. In addition, there is no separate toilet in the basement. If you want to use the toilet, you have to go up through a small door and then enter the building from the main entrance to find the toilet. "This office environment is a bit harsh!" Even Taichi Suzuki, who has seen the world, was impressed by the poor conditions in this basement. "There's nothing I can do. This is the cheapest. The prices at the other two places are almost twice as much as here." Jin Shiming said helplessly. He had limited money, so he had to spend it as wisely as possible.
Rather than renting a high-end office location, Jin Shiming prefers to purchase some high-quality hardware equipment and then give his employees appropriate subsidies as a reward. "In terms of cost-effectiveness, it's indeed better here," Taichi Suzuki agreed. On the way here, he inspected the surrounding environment. The place has convenient transportation and complete supporting facilities, so there are quite a lot of small and medium-sized brokerage companies settled in the surrounding area. In addition, the underground floor is quite spacious, and after simple partitioning, it is enough to accommodate both office areas and various practice rooms. "This kind of condition is the norm on the peninsula. Those leading large companies are still located in tacky old buildings. Everyone has lived through hard times!" said Jin Shiming. That’s why people say that the entertainment industry in the peninsula is a sweatshop. The bosses are here to make money, not to do charity. What is really scarce in the Peninsula is talent with production capabilities. Trainees are not even as good as cattle and horses, and at best they are consumables. If you don't want to do it, there are plenty of people who can do it. "Now that the lease contract has been signed, it's time to put renovations on the agenda. Let's renovate a few rooms that are urgently needed first. It won't affect the rest too much if we renovate them while we're working." Taichi Suzuki said with considerable experience. "Well, once a series of business license procedures are completed, we can almost move in and start working here." Jin Shiming nodded. All things are difficult at the beginning. Now is the time to race against time and deal with various affairs. Of course, the sooner we get on track, the better. "Let's go, the agent is still waiting outside, and we have to go see the dormitory later." Suzuki Taichi looked at the time and reminded. "Mr. Suzuki, thank goodness for being here, otherwise I would have a headache just thinking about it if I were alone!" Jin Shiming said gratefully. Frankly speaking, Jin Shiming actually hated such trivial matters, and he was not sophisticated enough in social interactions. If it weren't for Taichi Suzuki's help, the progress would certainly not be as smooth as it is now. "The company is in a state of disrepair now. Mr. Suzuki is the number one veteran and meritorious service member. Why not give him the position of director?" Jin Shiming raised his eyebrows and said with a smile. "Forget it. I don't have the talent to be a superior. Being your driver or bodyguard will give me more free time." Suzuki Taichi evaded the question. Seeing that Suzuki Taichi was not interested in this, Jin Shiming stopped forcing him and said, "Okay, I'll give up the position of director, but Suzuki-san must accept the company's shares, otherwise I will not feel at ease." Taichi Suzuki said that he was Jin Shiming's driver and bodyguard, but in fact he was also taking on the jobs of agent and assistant. Jin Shiming had to repay him both morally and legally. How can a mere few shares compare to a close friend who is trustworthy and to whom you can even entrust your personal safety? "Haha, there are actually people who are eager to give me shares. If it were someone else, I would have suspected that this was a new type of scam." Suzuki Taichi said with sardonic humor, but he did not reject Jin Shiming's kindness.
Then it took nearly half a day, and Jin Shiming and Suzuki Taichi finally settled in the company's dormitory. The dormitory is located next to the company, and it only takes more than ten minutes to walk there, which is quite fast. Jin Shiming rented two apartments opposite each other, one of which was used as a dormitory for trainees, and the other was prepared for himself. When the company was up and running, he had to work late at night. Compared with commuting between Seoul and Anyang every day, it would undoubtedly be much more convenient to reserve an apartment near the company. Furthermore, this community is not high-end, and there are many people and eyes. Trainees coming in and out may pose a safety hazard. Jin Shiming or Suzuki Taichi lives next door, so they can be taken care of at critical moments. …… When I returned to my home in Anyang City, the sun had already set. "Oppa, you're finally back!" a voice came, and Jin Sejeong poked his head out of the window next door and waved at Jin Shiming. Only half a minute later, the girl rushed out of the house in a hurry. "Oppa, I've decided. I want to be a trainee!" Kim Sejeong said loudly as if she was taking an oath. "Oh." Jin Shiming responded, not surprised. Kim Sejeong has loved singing since she was a child. She has spent a lot of the prize money she earned from participating in various singing competitions and the money she saved from part-time jobs on training classes. She definitely wants to make her debut. She was young and lived far away from home, so it was understandable that her mother was worried about her becoming a trainee alone. Now that Kim Se Myeong is back and has set up his own agency, Kim Se Jeong talked to her mother about it and she agreed. "Oppa, why don't you react at all? I said I want to be a trainee in your company!" Kim Sejeong frowned and emphasized again. "Welcome our future big star GOD Sejeong to join us. Whether Oppa's small company can move to a new building depends on you!" Jin Shiming could only cooperate and reply. "Oh, what is GOD Sejeong? I get goosebumps." Kim Sejeong smiled with her eyes curved and rubbed her arms with an exaggerated expression. After joking for a while, Jin Shiming suddenly said seriously: "Shizheng, the conditions of Oppa's company are very ordinary. With your potential, you may have better prospects for development if you go to a big company." No one can predict what will happen in the future. Even though Kim Semyeong is confident that he can promote Kim Sejeong, he cannot guarantee that he can do better than those big companies. "I don't want to go to any big company! I only trust you, Oppa! I want to be the first trainee in your company!" Kim Sejeong said stubbornly. “Okay, okay, Oppa will do whatever you say!” Jin Shiming touched the girl’s head and soothed her softly, “But Shizheng, you may not be the first trainee of the company!” "Mo? Who got there first?!" Kim Sejeong was struck by lightning when she heard that. She suddenly felt that Kim Semyung's "pat on the head" was not so warm anymore. "I invited a junior from DSP to join my new company because I thought her qualifications were pretty good," Jin Shiming replied. Just a few hours ago, Jin Shaoqing called happily and told Jin Shiming that her parents agreed with her decision to change her family background. "Did she and Oppa officially sign the contract?" Kim Sejeong asked persistently. "Not yet." Jin Shiming was a little confused and didn't understand what Jin Sejeong was thinking. Jin Shaoqing is still nominally a trainee of DSP. She needs to pay a symbolic termination fee and complete the termination procedures before she can re-sign with Jin Shiming's BD Entertainment. "Then she is not officially the first one! Oppa, did you bring the contract? I'll take a copy for mom to sign and stamp!" Kim Sejeong begged, pulling Kim Semyeong's arm. She was determined not to give up this memorable first place to anyone else!
(End of this chapter)
