Where's the Contract? Production Company Acquisition
When Lee Sooyoung heard those words, she wore a puzzled expression. But as Shin Jaewoo continued speaking, that look gradually twisted into something stranger.
What on earth is this guy talking about?
She had just told him at Panta Bank that she would transfer her affiliation to him. But in that moment, she debated withdrawing the offer. Shin Jaewoo's words simply lacked any sense of reality.
What Shin Jaewoo wanted was simple.
"So... right now, are you saying you're going to start and run a company just to produce the videos you like, Jaewoo-ssi?"
"No need to start one. Why bother when there's already a company out there?"
Shin Jaewoo's voice was firm.
"If I acquire a company that already has a manager, I won't have to step in and deal with all the complicated operations myself."
Shin Jaewoo just wanted to indulge in his fandom. He had realized something.
In this world, there's so much you can do when you have money.
That led him to think: What if he turned the text stories he'd read into visuals, and the visuals into videos?
Actually, a lot of stuff is already being adapted into videos... but it's mostly geared toward women.
Romance novels got adapted easily. But male-oriented novels lagged behind. So he thought: If others won't do it, I'll do it myself.
"Jaewoo-ssi, I know it's not my place to say this, but..."
She tried to dissuade him.
"Of course, success would be huge, but the odds of failure are much higher. One flop there could cause massive damage..."
"It's fine."
With her worried face in front of him, Shin Jaewoo brushed it off casually. His calm tone even made her feel like it really was okay, shaking her resolve.
She had no idea what he was basing this confidence on. Wondering if he had some grand vision, she heard him say:
"I never planned on turning a profit in the first place."
"Huh?"
His follow-up was anything but normal.
"Exactly what I said. Even if it runs at a loss, that's fine."
He had 7 trillion won to his name. And that was just the start—other ventures were starting to generate income.
Lumière Seoul is quietly posting decent operating profits already.
On top of that, interest and real estate rents brought in hundreds of billions annually without breaking a sweat. That's why he could say this.
"Even if it loses hundreds of billions a year, I can cover it."
"......"
She was speechless. And then Shin Jaewoo kept going.
"I like watching fun videos."
"...Yes."
"So I want to see the stories I love turned into videos."
In other words, who would pour hundreds of billions into that every year? She checked his eyes. They shone with sincerity.
No point trying to talk him out of it...
There was no convincing him here. All Lee Sooyoung could do was hope her decision to join him wasn't a mistake.
But there was something she didn't know: Shin Jaewoo didn't actually expect massive losses.
I can just use the foundation.
With its billions in budget, supporting cultural content production would count as a public good, he figured. So he could fund it through the foundation. The only hitch?
Can't get tangled in internal transactions.
He'd need to discuss that with Lee Jinmyeong. And if the foundation's funds wouldn't work, he'd use his own. He was fully prepared to eat those annual hundreds of billions in losses.
"So, look into some good acquisition targets for me."
He'd already given the order. Lee Sooyoung had no choice but to carry it out. With a reluctant expression, she replied.
"...Yes."
Panta Bank received Shin Jaewoo's request and immediately began scouting targets.
Several production companies emerged as candidates for acquisition. One of them was Miracle Pictures.
"What? You're really going to invest in our company? Haha, of course! If the terms are right, I have no reason to refuse."
Gong Yeon-gap, the CEO of Miracle Pictures, reacted with pure joy the moment he got the call. An investment offer for his company at last.
To be precise, an acquisition proposal. And the timing was perfect.
I need the cash so bad right now...!
A new project's launch was right around the corner. It would require even more funds for revisions and marketing. This time, it was fully self-produced—no outside investors. High risk, high return. A hit would be massive, but a miss would bury the company in losses.
Our survival's on the line! I have to secure this investment no matter what!
Shouldering everything with just the production company's finances was a huge burden. But he had confidence. The project was excellent. If not for the massive final funding needs, he wouldn't even consider selling now.
So he had one request.
"For starters... I'd appreciate keeping my position. And if you could buy up all the new shares..."
He wouldn't hand over his existing stake. Instead, he'd issue new shares and take investment capital in exchange. Ideally at the highest price possible—that's what Gong Yeon-gap hoped for.
And it went smoother than expected.
"Hahaha."
Gong Yeon-gap felt things were falling into place too perfectly. As he spoke with Jeong Junyoung, who was acting as the agent's representative rather than the buyer, the conversation only grew more impressive.
"No way, this much...!"
A whopping 100 billion won. Accepting it would balloon the company's size several times over. The terms were favorable too. His managerial rights were guaranteed as a condition. Unless he ended up in prison or faced a health crisis that made continuing impossible, they promised to protect his position.
Conditions this good are possible? Oh, this person's a lifesaver.
Gong Yeon-gap grew curious about the new owner. Who was generous enough to offer terms like these? What came next from Jeong Junyoung shocked him even more. It wasn't just basic managerial protection.
"He said he'd guarantee CEO Gong Yeon-gap's managerial rights. Even if the company runs at a loss."
"W-what? Even if we lose money?"
These were the words from Jeong Junyoung, who had full authority. Gong Yeon-gap couldn't help but be stunned. It defied common sense.
What kind of owner says losses are okay...?
Even Jeong Junyoung, as the agent, looked baffled. With a wry smile, he added:
"But..."
Right, there had to be a catch.
"He hopes you'll produce as many high-quality works as quickly as possible."
"What does that..."
"Exactly as it sounds. He'll cover any losses himself, so reinforce staff and equipment, and turn more works into videos."
"Whoa!"
Gong Yeon-gap's jaw dropped. The unexpected condition left him reeling.
"Is that really... what he wants?"
Why? Gong Yeon-gap pressed, looking baffled, and Jeong Junyoung gave a wry smile.
Beats me. I couldn't say.
All he knew was that Shin Jaewoo had boatloads of money. And he wanted to use it not for business, but to produce content. Jeong Junyoung couldn't wrap his head around that mindset.
"He just wants more fun content out there. That's his only demand."
"......"
"I know it's hard to understand. But that's really it."
Listening to Jeong Junyoung, he could only laugh helplessly.
"So the reason for acquiring the company is... like an expensive hobby?"
"Well... something like that."
There were plenty of rich people in the world, each spending in their own weird ways. Gong Yeon-gap chuckled. But unlike Jeong Junyoung, he got it. He loved content too.
"Hahaha."
He'd never imagined meeting an owner like this.
To think someone like this exists... what luck.
This new owner thrilled him more than anyone.
"Perfect! I'll lead the charge in bringing dormant content to the world, just as the owner wishes! But..."
Even as a creator, Gong Yeon-gap hesitated.
There was one reason.
"...That'll require massive funds. Videos flop hard—one failure means huge losses. Billions, even tens of billions."
Sure, hits could earn more. But the odds were low. Especially since Shin Jaewoo wanted variety. That meant more potential flops.
"Still... okay with that?"
Jeong Junyoung replied awkwardly to his question.
"He said even hundreds of billions in losses are fine."
Conditions this absurd. Gong Yeon-gap grabbed a pen without hesitation.
"Where's the contract? No take-backs later?"