Chapter 126
Chapter 126
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 126
Chapter Title: Even Bigger, Even Higher
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Woo Ji-hyun visited the Q&D Management office for the first time in a while.
Kang Tae-jin, now the head of the headquarters, had requested a meeting, saying he had something important to discuss.
“Hello, hyung.”
“Yeah, have you been well? You look like you have, though you seem a bit thinner.”
“You look like you’ve lost more weight yourself.”
“I should get married too, shouldn’t I?”
Kang Tae-jin grinned playfully as he gestured for Woo Ji-hyun to sit.
His tone carried half-serious intent.
“You’re planning to, right?”
“Of course. If I find a good match, I’d tie the knot tomorrow. The problem is, I’m not seeing any.”
“Aren’t you getting a lot of introductions?”
Woo Ji-hyun tilted his head.
From what he knew, Kang Tae-jin was getting quite a few setups here and there.
“I get them almost every week. But it’s not easy.”
“Finding the right connection is tough.”
“How’s your love life? You really should start dating. With your looks and talent, why aren’t you seeing anyone?”
“I’m thinking about it now. I’ll have some fun. But not to the point where it messes up my serialization. Just adjusting the balance a bit.”
After the recent incident, Woo Ji-hyun had made up his mind.
He wouldn’t throw himself into work so obsessively anymore.
“That’s a great idea. Your prime like this won’t come again. Especially not spending the last of your twenties like a bachelor.”
“I’m fine with it, but everyone around me worries.”
“Because some of us are panting after women nonstop, and you’re not. Not that women don’t flock to you.”
Kang Tae-jin gave a knowing smile.
As if he knew something.
But Woo Ji-hyun didn’t react much to it.
“I hear the first cohort’s trainees are doing amazing. One hit in romance, one in fantasy. I haven’t checked the romance, but the fantasy was fun even for me. They still have that newbie vibe, but Woo-jin hyung polished them up good.”
“Really fortunate. Especially the romance one—we weren’t even expecting that, but the response has been great, so we’re thrilled. Not stamped for adaptation yet, but drama talks are in the works.”
“Impressive.”
“They’re breakout rookies. But I worry. Hope they don’t get too cocky. One-hit wonders are all too common.”
Kang Tae-jin smacked his lips.
The Creative Academy trainees debuting successfully and hitting it big felt amazing, but he couldn’t help worrying.
They weren’t done after one work.
He wanted to nurture long-running authors, so Kang Tae-jin had been pondering a lot lately.
“You know greenhouse flowers don’t thrive. They need hardship and setbacks to grow. Babying them out of fear they’ll collapse might stunt them instead.”
“I know, but I still worry. It’s such a fluke hit.”
“They’ll do fine. Speaking of, no second cohort? With results in, it’s about time to prep.”
“We could start right away if you’re in. This time with government backing.”
“That might be tough.”
Woo Ji-hyun smiled awkwardly.
The first cohort had been busy, but manageable.
Now, he was too swamped for that.
It wasn’t just writing anymore; other tasks piled up.
“Even once a week is hard?”
“Yeah, I’ve got stuff ongoing. Working on a new series, and heading to Taiwan next month.”
“Taiwan why?”
Kang Tae-jin’s expression turned serious.
Woo Ji-hyun’s schedule was key already, and now Taiwan added worry.
“Manbai Publishing in Taiwan wants a fan signing.”
“Oh, Taiwan? Doing a signing there before Korea?”
“Yeah, I still can’t believe it myself.”
“Makes sense. With God of Martial Arts, Return’s popularity there. I think you could do one in Korea too? Over a thousand pre-orders for the collector’s edition.”
Kang Tae-jin figured Woo Ji-hyun could pull off a Korean fan sign now.
With proper promo, it wouldn’t flop.
Not bestseller-crowd levels, but solid.
“Too soon. Need to grow more. Build more recognition.”
“You’ve got room to climb?”
“Yeah. I can strut in genre circles, but mainstream’s different. Plenty left to conquer.”
“Hoo. Thinking that far ahead.”
Kang Tae-jin looked surprised.
That one line revealed Woo Ji-hyun’s vision and goals.
Kang Tae-jin silently cheered his resolve inwardly.
Success would be great, but the challenge itself mattered.
“Yeah, might as well go all the way.”
“Right. That’s the spirit. On that note, I’d love you to see it through.”
“Huh? I said the second cohort’s tough.”
“Not the academy—the ad video. Remember our president mentioning it? Shooting one for the platform launch and asking you to join. You even agreed.”
Woo Ji-hyun blinked at Kang Tae-jin’s words.
Recalling the past.
“...You’re really doing that? Cha Won-hyung seemed iffy back then.”
“We are. Prep’s nearly done. Just need to lock in the writers. Young, market-approved talents.”
“How many?”
“Five girls, so five guy writers?”
Kang Tae-jin grinned slyly, pointing at Woo Ji-hyun.
You’re top pick.
Woo Ji-hyun could only smile awkwardly.
“Can’t say no, huh?”
“A man’s word is gold. Surely Writer Woo Ji-hyun won’t back out?”
“Hahaha...”
Woo Ji-hyun laughed awkwardly.
Kang Tae-jin’s determination was clear.
His mind raced, checking his schedule.
“Rare chance. Tons of writers dying to join, even without the ask. Practicing idols starring—ones you can’t normally see or meet.”
“Then I’ll yield to them.”
“No way. Your spot’s locked. For our company’s image, and genre lit’s bigger picture. Gotta show the world we have young talent. You know the stereotypes about genre writers. Time to shatter them.”
“Fair point, but...”
Woo Ji-hyun trailed off.
No exact date yet, but bringing it up now meant time was short.
And he was swamped.
“We’ve lined up five, picking carefully. You’re first, naturally.”
“Shooting when?”
“Early this month, late next at latest. Before it gets too hot. Factoring in rainy season.”
“Might overlap.”
One night, two days, but overseas.
Taiwan date was fixed—no changes.
“Think we can rush it. Next month’s booked? Shoot this month. We’ll adjust for Writer Woo Ji-hyun’s international schedule, of course. Heh!”
“No need to bend over backward.”
“Can’t help it. We need you. Woo Ji-hyun specifically. That’s why the pre-meeting. Gotta know your schedule to set dates. Same for others.”
“Who’re the other four?”
“Jang Hu and Seong-il are in, Woo-hyuk too. Last one pending schedule tweaks.”
Woo Ji-hyun sighed inwardly in relief.
All familiar faces so far.
One oddity, though.
“They’re all younger than me?”
“Yeah, you’re the main. And top earner. Makes sense?”
“True. I’m not young anymore. Thirty next year.”
“Watch out—ten-year gap trainees. Love young and cute all you want, no minors.”
His expression contradicted the words.
Staring at Woo Ji-hyun with a sly grin.
“What do you take me for? Big age gaps aren’t my thing.”
“Still, seeing cute ones’ll shake you.”
“So, shooting this month?”
“Yeah, push hard. Finalize the last member. Oh, you play basketball or soccer?”
Kang Tae-jin asked casually.
Personal curiosity, not work.
“Like both. Just hard to play often.”
“Singing?”
“Long talent show or something?”
Woo Ji-hyun asked warily.
The vibe screamed singing.
But Kang Tae-jin just smiled meaningfully, no answer.
* * *
“Whew!”
Jo Jin-gu let out a deep sigh.
Writers leaving one by one suddenly.
Legally finishing and departing, but the simultaneous exodus sparked suspicion.
Someone poaching them deliberately?
“Not unexpected after Woo-ju’s issue, but all at once...”
Jo Jin-gu knew his writers grumbled knowingly or not.
But he had his side.
Other writers feeling shortchanged compared to Woo Ji-hyun was natural, but webtoonizations and Taiwan pushes weren’t his solo calls.
He’d fully backed them, sure.
Promised it on signing.
Never discriminated, though.
“You okay?”
“Kinda rough. Thought I gave it my all, but writers don’t see it that way.”
“I don’t get the ones leaving, honestly.”
Min A-rang frowned, setting iced Americano before the sighing Jo Jin-gu.
In her view, Jo Jin-gu and Frontier Management had done their absolute best.
Events, banners—every promo across platforms.
Yet no sales meant one thing.
“From their side, it stings. People see their own view.”