AAE -- For Better For Worse

Chapter 02

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

Yoo Joo-Hee and Kim Sun-Dal, co-managers of the Announcer 1 Team, arrive together at Hyung-Chul's office door.

 

Waving them in, Hyung-Chul immediately notices the sparkling diamond on Joo-Hee's left ring finger, and approaches Sun-Dal to earnestly shake his hand.

 

"Congratulations," he enthuses. "It's about time."

 

"I finally put my foot down," Sun-Dal boasts proudly. "I told Joo-Hee it was either London, or me."

 

"Don't let him kid you," Joo-Hee rolls her eyes. "He begged and blubbered until I felt sorry for him."

 

 

Hyung-Chul nods gravely, avoiding comment, and redirects the discussion to the purpose of their gathering. "It's time to decide. We can't hold off any longer on resolving the staffing situation since Announcer Huh Young-Mi resigned."

 

"I agree, unless we move quickly, GM Kim will act first to influence the Board's vote," Sun-Dal gloomily volunteers his opinion on the crisis. "If you don't make CEO, there goes my promotion, too. And I really need that raise to support a wife and babies on a single income."

 

"What babies?" Joo-Hee retorts indignantly. "Who gave you permission to keep me home and breed a bunch of snotty-nose brats?"

 

"Er ... I just expected ..." Sun-Dal backs off.

 

"Well, stop assuming you will decide what I do with my life," she argues. "If you want babies, fine! You stay home and raise them! I think I'd make a better Director of Planning anyway. What do you say, Hyung-Chul? Isn't it about time for MBS to move into the 21st century, and put women in top management?"

 

"That's a good idea to consider, boss," Sun-Dal supports her reluctantly.

 

 

Hyung-Chul indulges the new couple's bickering with a benevolent smile, taking mental notes as he imagines himself and Sun-Mi in their place.

 

"Forget GM Kim. Let's focus on today's business," he brings them back on topic. "Please take a seat."

 

 

They move to the conference area shoehorned into Hyung-Chul's small office. Sun-Dal and Joo-Hee sit side-by-side on the couch, while Hyung-Chul takes one of the chairs opposite. He pretends not to notice Sun-Dal's hand slide down in the gap between him and Joo-Hee and give her hand an apologetic squeeze, or Joo-Hee's slight smile in response.

 

"I'd like to have Sun-Mi anchor both Eve's Morning and the News At Nine," Sun-Dal names his preference for MBS' flagship morning and news programs.

 

"There you go, backing your favorite 'niece' again," Joo-Hee complains. "I like Sun-Mi as a person, of course, but I wonder if she is really ready for the big time. The News At Nine is our premier product. We shouldn't hand out such plum spots to just anyone, without thorough consideration."

 

"But you pushed Young-Mi for the slot after Sun-Mi was disqualified in that scandal, and see what happened?" Sun-Dal quickly picks a bone. "If we'd put Sun-Mi in as I wanted, we wouldn't be in this pickle."

 

"You'd rather turn the News at Nine into a competitor of Entertainment TV?" Joo-Hee hits back.

 

 

Attempting to end the argument without taking sides, Hyung-Chul splits the difference. "Joo-Hee, you have a point about the News. And Sun-Dal, you're right, too, that Sun-Mi would be a good fit for Eve's Morning."

 

Sun-Dal asks the obvious, "Who do you have in mind for the News slot?"

 

Hyung-Chul immediate reveals his choice. "Lee Mi-Ra, from Announcer Team 2. She's handled the Weekend News Report with good reviews, and is looking for a bigger challenge. Until Sun-Mi is ready for the move up, Mi-Ra is my choice."

 

"But I thought GM Kim had her on board for his new documentary program," Joo-Hee raises a potential issue. "Isn't that scheduled to debut next month?"

 

"That's right," Sun-Dal confirms. "GM Kim intends to use that program to polish his resume for the Board's CEO selection."

 

"But without Lee Mi-Ra, Kim will have to delay for a new anchor, threatening the whole project," Hyung-Chul reveals his scheme. "And I'll be more than happy to 'assist' him in that end."

 

"Turn a crisis into an opportunity, and provoke your rival in the process," Sun-Dal chuckles at the scheme.

 

"I've already approached Mi-Ra; she's ready to jump Kim's ship if we agree," Hyung-Chul prompts for a decision.

 

"It will be quite a coup to steal her from him," Joo-Hee gives her approval.

 

"Kim will have a fit when he hears that his star talent has flown the coop," Sun-Dal chuckles, indicating his vote.

 

"So it's agreed then," Hyung-Chul concludes. "When do you think you can get her on track?"

 

"I'll put Mi-Ra on tonight's broadcast," Sun-Dal suggests. "We don't want GM Kim to have the chance to make a counter offer."

 

"Do it. And keep me posted on the developments," Hyung-Chul concurs with the decision.

 

 

"I'll get right on it," Sun-Dal replies, standing up, but Joo-Hee remains seated. "Aren't you coming?" he asks his fianc�e.

 

"Go ahead, I'll meet up with you later," she tells him. "I have something else to discuss with Hyung-Chul first ..."