Chapter 34
Chapter 34
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Is the Author Omnipotent?
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The next day.
The assistants attending the morning meeting had resolute determination etched on their faces.
Seeing their expressions, Tae-seong spoke first.
“You seem to have made your decision.”
As the representatives of the assistants, Han Seong-ho spoke up.
“Yes, we’ve decided to stick with you, Author-nim. That said, there’s something we want to confirm first.”
“Go ahead.”
“We’d like to know the benefits we’ll receive upon becoming full-time employees. We’ll give you our final answer after that.”
It was a firm tone.
Han Seong-ho usually took a passive approach to his own affairs.
But when leading a group, his personality changed.
He started thinking of others first and spoke the words that needed to be said.
That’s how Han Seong-ho had been so far, and this time was no different.
After hearing Han Seong-ho’s response, Tae-seong handed the assistants the documents he had prepared.
“Base salary starts at 2 million won. The four major insurances are a given, and we’ll provide severance pay as well. As I mentioned, if revenue comes in from the works, it’ll be distributed as incentives. Other supports for creative activities and detailed welfare benefits are listed in the documents.”
The assistants’ eyes widened as they looked over the details in the documents.
The base salary was higher than expected, and the welfare benefits were better than anticipated.
They provided tablet monitors and quarterly welfare cards for cultural activities.
On top of that, bonuses for major holidays and vacation time.
Even without company experience, they could tell these were excellent conditions.
The assistants exchanged glances without anyone taking the lead.
Then they nodded slightly.
“We look forward to working with you, Representative-nim.”
Han Seong-ho, the leading figure among the assistants, said to Tae-seong.
He used the title of Representative-nim instead of Author-nim.
“I look forward to working with you all.”
That marked the beginning of TS Media.
* * *
“You’ve started a company?”
Representative Kwon asked with wide-eyed surprise.
Tae-seong nodded.
“Yes, we’ve officially registered the business and moved to a new office. All the assistants we had hired before are now full-time employees.”
“Wow…….”
He knew about the office move.
He had come to congratulate them on it.
But the name TS Media was prominently displayed on the office window.
He had suspected as much, and it turned out to be true.
It wasn’t uncommon for novelists to start companies.
Many existing management firms had authors serving as representatives.
Authors with a strong interest in business had set them up.
There were plenty of advantages.
The biggest was having a network of fellow authors.
‘Even without that, plenty of authors set up their own companies once their works start selling well.’
There were numerous cases of authors who hit it big establishing their own firms.
The reason was simple.
Money.
Management firms typically took 30%.
For authors with blockbuster hits, that 30% could amount to hundreds of millions of won.
Tae-seong was a prime example.
Royalties from *SSS-Class Hunter’s Return* and *Otherworld Chef* alone accounted for 40% of YK Books’ total sales.
Even with over a hundred authors on their roster, one author—Jeong Tae-seong—dominated the revenue.
TS Media could run on Tae-seong’s royalties alone.
Distribution wouldn’t be an issue either.
Countless platforms were desperate to launch his works.
“Congratulations. You’re a representative now.”
Regret filled his voice, but he swallowed it and offered congratulations.
It wasn’t an exclusive contract, so if they left, he had no choice but to let them go.
“Thank you.”
Tae-seong bowed his head and continued.
“Just to avoid any misunderstanding—I’ve started the company, but I have no intention of handling novel distribution myself.”
“Pardon?”
“What I want to do is create content. I’ll write the novels myself and get involved all the way through turning them into other formats.”
“You mean you created the company to oversee production up to webtoons?”
“For now, yes.”
Tae-seong nodded, as webtoons were his current focus.
But Representative Kwon interpreted it differently.
“Then distribution will be……?”
“We’ve prepared two conditions on the company level.”
Tae-seong handed over a single sheet of paper.
It listed two conditions.
[1. TS Media’s split ratio is fixed at 8 to 2.]
[2. For all TS Media works, the platform’s share is capped at a maximum of 4.]
An 8-to-2 split was acceptable.
They even offered similar favorable terms to popular authors for exclusive contracts.
The issue was the platform contract.
“Author-nim, number one is feasible, but…… number two requires discussion with the platform companies, so I can’t give an answer right now.”
“Of course. Take your time to consider and get back to us. In the meantime, TS Media’s upcoming projects are webtoon adaptations of *Black Knight’s Her* and *Otherworld Chef*.”
Representative Kwon nodded.
“But I don’t want it to drag on too long. If selecting a distributor takes forever, it’ll delay serialization of the next work.”
“Pardon? Next work?”
“I plan to conclude *Otherworld Chef* with volume 17. We’re currently on volume 16, so at the earliest this month, at the latest early next month, the final manuscript will be delivered.”
Surprise appeared on Representative Kwon’s face.
*Otherworld Chef* had just passed volume 8 in paid serialization.
And it was already ending?
‘Forgot this guy’s a machine.’
Writing machine.
That was Tae-seong’s nickname at YK Books.
* * *
[*Black Knight’s Her* Limited Edition Now Available for Sale!]
On Grape Books’ main page.
The banner prominently featured news of the *Black Knight’s Her* limited edition release.
Regular price: 30,000 won.
It was pricey for a limited edition.
Daunting for average buyers, but the profit margin was razor-thin.
It was more for promotion and reader service than profit.
Representative Kwon was confident this limited edition surpassed any he had produced before in quality.
‘The hardcover turned out just as I envisioned. And the extras…….’
It was the first official collaboration with TS Media.
Illustrations poster, cardholder, and special webtoon as extras for *Black Knight’s Her*.
He had some concerns.
Even though Tae-seong oversaw it, the illustrations poster and cardholder were handled by his assistants.
But the worries were unfounded.
‘Incredible quality.’
The illustrations poster surprised him the most.
Based on characters for the webtoon, the artwork and poses were flawless.
If they drew the webtoon like this, it would be top-tier.
But he knew that wasn’t feasible.
‘Were his assistants this skilled?’
Representative Kwon didn’t know.
Tae-seong’s advice had been poured generously into every piece.
Rrring-!
That was when it happened.
Representative Kwon’s phone rang.
It was Choi Hyeong-su from Grape Books.
“Yes! Section Chief Choi!”
-Can you talk, Representative-nim?
“Yes, I can. I’m looking at the banner on Grape Books right now. Thanks again for the prime spot…….”
-Oh! We just swapped the banner.
“What? Swapped? Was there a problem?”
-No problem…… It sold out completely.
“Pardon?”
-We changed it to a banner saying the limited run sold out early.
“It just went live.”
-Sold out in one minute.
“……You’re joking, right?”
-It’s true.
He had encountered so much since meeting Jeong Tae-seong.
Events that shattered his preconceptions about authors.
He thought nothing could surprise him anymore.
But apparently, there were still more.
Shocking moments left.
* * *
[The limited edition of *Black Knight’s Her*, the original novel behind the hit drama, sold out in one minute of sales launch.
Choi Hyeong-su, section chief at Grape Books handling sales, said, “We were caught off guard by the unexpectedly rapid sales,” explaining the situation.
Grape Books announced no additional limited editions will be produced, focusing instead on regular editions going forward.
Meanwhile, YK Books announced signings with author Jeong Tae-seong of *Black Knight’s Her* at four Seoul bookstores on the 11th and 12th.]
With the limited edition sold out, readers’ attention shifted to the regular edition.
Tae-seong’s signing event also became a hot topic among fans.
Having appeared as a cameo in the *Black Knight’s Her* drama, he already had a large fanbase.
The broadcast station had been flooded with calls requesting his return.
But it was scrapped at the author’s own request.
“Ah-! Such a shame. If you’d appeared again, the response would’ve been even more explosive!”
Tae-seong just smiled at PD Kim’s words.
This cheerful gathering was the wrap party for the drama *Black Knight’s Her*.
Actors and staff involved were in attendance.
The atmosphere was as great as during filming.
“Events should stay as events.”
“If that’s how you feel, no helping it. Ha-! Thanks to you, Author-nim, we had a blast shooting this one!”
“Thanks to you all, I got to see my story turned into a great drama.”
“Heh heh-! Let’s have a drink!”
He lightly downed the glass PD Kim had filled.
As he set it down, Park Eun-bi approached.
“Author-nim! Let me pour you one!”
“Thank you.”
Park Eun-bi had changed a lot since they first met.
Her plain look had become glamorous, her outfit screaming star.
Above all, she brimmed with confidence.
She was now a rising star in ads and dramas.
Articles even said she was top casting choice for numerous projects.
But not everything had changed.
“You’re my life’s benefactor, Author-nim! I got this chance because of you.”
Her eyes.
The pure gaze from their first meeting remained unchanged.
“Eun-bi, you’re a talented actress. The work was just the stage to show it.”
“Thank you for saying that! When you write your next project, please contact me!”
“Got it.”
She beamed at Tae-seong’s reply.
“Cheers!”
“Cheers.”
Clink-!
The glasses chimed clearly as they touched.
* * *
Tae-seong stepped out onto the terrace.
The buzz from the drinks he hadn’t had in ages had warmed his body, so he came out to cool off.
PD Kim followed behind him.
“Drunk?”
“A bit. It’s been a while since I drank like this.”
“I heard authors hold their liquor well.”
“Varies by person.”
“True enough.”
She leaned on the terrace railing.
She seemed to have something to say.
“Author-nim.”
“Yes?”
“Ever thought about becoming a drama writer?”
Tae-seong looked at her silently.
“With the skills you showed helping with the second half, you could be a hit drama writer. And the pay would match…….”
“I’ll answer first. I’ll pass.”
PD Kim nodded as if she expected it.
“Makes sense. You’re already making plenty in your current setup.”
“Money’s not the issue.”
“Huh?”
“I have stories I want to create. Joining a group would prevent that. Groups prioritize their own interests.”
This time, PD Kim looked at Tae-seong silently.
“Take this case. *Black Knight’s Her* was on the right path. But for the group’s benefit, they took a detour. Purely in terms of profit, it was the right call. But considering the story itself and the readers—was it really?”
“That’s…….”
“There’s no one right answer. Everyone thinks differently, faces different situations. But it’s not my place to provide the answer. That’s why I’m turning down the offer.”
Tae-seong bowed slightly and headed back inside.
PD Kim didn’t stop him.
‘My answer…….’
She began pondering the question Tae-seong had posed and its answer.