[180] Spring has arrived, but
I hesitated a little while fiddling with my cell phone. Because he wasn’t sure if this job was right for him or not.
But I made up my mind. It was because he thought that secret work is the most basic of what he does.
When I pressed the hotkey on my phone, a beep sounded. My heart is pounding.
– Your manager. This is Woo Byung-jun.
A monotonous voice was still heard.
“Mr. Wu. This is Jin Do-jun.”
– yes. please tell me
“I called because I had a request.”
― It’s not a request, it’s an order, Chief.
“okay. Then I will instruct you. There is an entertainment agency called Time Music in Gangnam. It is a place where singers are trained.
– yes.
“Please investigate the company’s financial situation with the president of this company.”
― What areas should be investigated in particular?
“There are so many swindlers in entertainment agencies. You can investigate whether it is a celebrity sponsor business, or a person who seduces investors to make money, and whether he is an ex-convict.”
It’s easy to find people with a lot of money who want to make a connection with a celebrity anyway. Among the CEOs of entertainment agencies, there are many bullies who only focus on attracting investment from such foolish rich people.
It is not uncommon for them to introduce a young woman dressed up as a rookie girl group and extort a lot of money from producing an album or music video.
If Sang-jun hyung works in a place like this, he should be taken out quickly.
―Do you have any further instructions?
“yes. That’s enough.”
– All right. It will take about four days.
When I finished the call, I let out a sigh of relief.
When will I get used to Woo’s dry voice?
On the third day, a day earlier than the four days, I met Woo Byung-jun, managing director, at a cafe near the company.
He took out a thick wad of papers and placed them on the table.
“I couldn’t find a reason to investigate in particular, but it turned out to be the place where my older brother, Jin Sang-joon, got a job.”
“yes. So I did it just in case.”
“There was nothing special about it. I’m not a crook, I’m not an asshole.”
“How is your company financially?”
“The chief is an expert on that part, so it would be better if you take a look at it. I have extracted the financial transaction details of the company and the president for the past five years.”
As soon as I saw a couple of documents, I laughed out loud. I already knew that the scale was small, but my income was at the bottom and my expenses were at the bottom.
It is a typical self-sufficient business.
It is just that kind of company for amateurs who make a living doing what they love, earn less, spend less, and comfort themselves with a happy life.
“The reputation wasn’t bad. They said that they are aware of the potential of newcomers and work on music that suits them.”
If so, you should have already succeeded. The world dominated by idols has yet to come. Many idols and girl groups have succeeded, but solos are as strong as those numbers.
If so, there is only one reason…
“This company is mainly operating underground.”
Woo Byung-jun’s expression changed a little, but he quickly returned to his original calm face.
“yes. I don’t know the exact meaning of underground, but it is known that they only look for unpopular genres.”
I knew everything I needed to know about this. Woo Byeong-jun asked as I gathered the documents.
“Do you need anything more?”
“yes. That’s enough. Thanks for your efforts.”
“It was nothing. Then I will get up first.”
I jumped up and bowed my head slightly. Woo, who was about to move on, must have remembered something he had forgotten.
“Oh, what about the new staff? Please let me know if you have any inconvenience.”
“no. I like that they are all quiet.”
“I’m glad. Then…”
I let out a short sigh when I saw Woo Byung-jun’s broad back as he left the cafe.
When will I be able to laugh and have a conversation with that person? Will that day ever come?
* * *
Time Music President Cho Hwan-gyu kept moving his shoulders, as if the suit he had been wearing for the first time in a very long time was awkward. Even when he tried to relax, his trembling fingertips did not stop.
“I came to see CEO Oh Se-hyun. The promise is already…”
“Are you the CEO of Time Music by any chance?”
The female employee at the entrance of the company glanced at the notepad to confirm.
“yes.”
“You are waiting. This way…”
President Cho Hwan-gyu crossed the luxurious office with a tensed heart. When I knocked on the CEO’s office and entered, a middle-aged man greeted him with a bright smile.
“nice to see you. I convert it.”
“I’m Oh Se-hyun. Please sit over here.”
As I slid my butt onto the leather sofa, I started to feel more anxious. Miracle was the one who contacted him first, but why is he more nervous
?
“Oh, Mr. I’m honestly dumbfounded. I found out that Miracle Investment is an incredible investment company through an Internet search after talking to the CEO.”
“Does the person who runs this entertainment agency not know about the investment company?”
Representative Oh Se-hyun asked with a surprised expression.
“Ah, because I thought investing would have nothing to do with me.”
“You didn’t even think about getting an investment, did you?”
I was stabbed to the point of not being able to say anything. When Cho Hwan-gyu closed his mouth, Oh Se-hyeon laughed and started talking.
“I’ll finish it off and get to the point, so listen carefully.”
“yes.”
“Our Miracle will invest in Time Music.”
“yes? Our company?”
“That’s right. The investment conditions are made to match the rules of the industry. So, it would be good for President Cho to go around the surrounding agencies and learn about the universal investment conditions. You have to check whether the conditions we have presented fit your industry rules or not. Do you understand?”
“Ah yes.”
“The first investment is 2 billion won.”
“This two billion…?”
President Cho Hwan-kyu doubted his ears for a moment. unbelievable amount. And another doubt crept up.
why?
“yes. Is it small?”
“Oh no, that’s not it…”
“You should focus more on the word ‘first’ rather than 2 billion. If the results are good, we can invest even 20 billion won.”
President Cho Hwan-kyu tried to recall the dream he had last night. I can’t remember, but it must have been a dream in which a pig farm came out or a dragon ascended to heaven holding Yeouiju.
“There is only one separate condition I propose.”
Cho Hwan-gyu woke up and listened to the conditions that would flow from Oh Se-hyun’s mouth.
“It is absolutely not possible to feed indie bands or underground singers with our 2 billion won investment. It’s up to the boss to take care of it, just like now.”
“So what?”
“They say it costs between 500 million and 1 billion to raise a new girl group. Is that correct?”
“I’m fine… but I heard that a lot of money is broken.”
“Raise two teams with $2 billion. It’s a girl group, so if you run an event right away, you’ll make a lot of money. Right? So, it means to nurture rookies who can make money.”
“But I have no intention of expanding my business there. It is different from my vision.”
When President Cho, who had been stuttering all along, gave a sharp answer, Oh Se-hyeon’s face hardened and his polite tone began to change.
“Chief Joe.”
“yes.”
“Will you think about it and answer? you’re hooked now You found a gold nugget on the way!”
Cho Hwan-gyu was nervous again at Oh Se-hyun’s staring eyes.
“I make a lot of money by doing business well with that gold nugget. And with that money, you can train your favorite indie band or underground musician. You need to know how to separate your hobby and business. is not it?”
hobby.
President Cho was moved to see his business as just a hobby, but considering the size of the company called Miracle, it was difficult to refute it.
“Our headquarters in Miracle America invests heavily in movies. Do you know?”
“Oh no.”
“I mainly invest in Hollywood blockbusters, but I also invest a lot in independent and art films. This side loses most of the money invested, let alone broken. But do you know why you are constantly investing?”
“…….”
“That’s how the whole movie develops. A new actor who appeared in an independent film. A young director who was shooting art films. These people flow into commercial films. Because this keeps happening, Hollywood develops.”
Oh Se-hyun’s tone softened a little.
“I did some research and found out that Mr. Cho has a good reputation. I have an eye for it. With that perspective, we discover kids with both commercial and star qualities. And whether it’s an idol, a girl group, or a ballad singer, raise them to be stars. Don’t worry, I’ll give you any amount of money. Wouldn’t it be fine to do art with the money that a star raised like that earns? Is this such a difficult calculation?”
President Cho Hwan-gyu did not speak for a long time. While he remained silent, Oh Se-hyeon was also waiting with his mouth shut.
Cho Hwan-gyu finally opened his mouth.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“However much.”
“Why are you investing in me? In Gangnam, there are many agencies that raise idols. You can invest in such a place, but I wonder why you chose our company, which pursues a completely different direction.”
“I told you. You’re caught.”
“Then why did I get caught?”
“Did you hire a new employee for your company? My name is Sangjun Jin.”
“yes. From studying abroad…”
“He’s my best friend’s son.”
“ah…!”
It wasn’t because of last night’s dream. Yong, who opened Yeouiju, was a rookie PD.
“I spent my life without money and even studying abroad, but looking at it, it seems that I have reserved a life that is in trouble, let alone make a living. But what can I do? He says he does what he wants to do like the boss, so I can’t stop him.”
“So are you investing? Because of your friend’s son?”
“Why does it matter? Enough to throw away the golden opportunity that was right in front of me?”
“It is not.”
“That’s why it’s more important for CEO Cho to think about how to grow the business in the future rather than why.”
Jo Hwan-gyu thought for a while and then carefully opened his mouth.
“If I accept the investment…”
Oh Se-hyun’s exasperated voice was heard before he could finish his words.
“Do you think I would leave my friend’s son with a stupid boss who kicks off such a golden opportunity? I’ll grab you by the collar and drag you out. I’d rather start my own company!”
It was sincere.
Oh Se-hyeon was eager to drag Sang-joon by the collar and drag him out of this company.
What are amateurs…!
Sang-joon’s willingness to stand up alone is admirable, and Do-joon’s desire to actively help such an older brother is admirable, so he invests his precious time in a person like President Cho who lives without much thought.
“One more.”
Jo Hwan-gyu, who had been lowering his head at Oh Se-hyeon’s screams, slowly raised his face.
“It is an absolute secret to Sang-joon that I invest. If he finds out about this, he might resign immediately. Sang-joon’s pride is equal to that of a chaebol’s son.”
As if he had made up his mind, President Cho Hwan-gyu jumped up.
“For whatever reason, thank you for the opportunity. CEO. I will do my best not to blow this opportunity in vain.”
“Good idea. Time Music will be managed by our company’s experts. President Cho will be able to focus on discovering talented newcomers and making good music. Trust us and leave it to us.”
“yes. Teach me a lot.”
Seeing President Cho leave with his head lowered, Oh Se-hyeon clicked his tongue involuntarily.
“Tsk tsk. Do-joon, this guy is a complete boy head. father and brother. An unlucky bastard.”
Oh Se-hyeon for a moment forgot about the blessing that Jin Do-jun was born as the grandson of Korea’s richest man.
—————————————=
