Chapter 147
Chapter 147
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: Once Again, as a Writer 147
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At Joo Hye-seong’s words, An Jin-jeong and Han Seung-gi nodded as well.
Though the degree varied, they were all thinking the same thing.
“I agree. Anyway, getting to the point, I just want my hyungs to get proper treatment. I’m not saying you have to come over unconditionally. What I want to say is that there are other options out there, and I hope you realize that. And I’d like for you hyungs to take advantage of this situation.”
“Isn’t that the wrong way to put it? Honestly, you’re a founding hero of Frontier Management.”
“But I’m a writer too. And I will be going forward. I know there’s a rumor going around that I have shares in Frontier Management, but I’m clean. I haven’t thought about getting into business yet. Maybe in my old age, after I become a landlord, I’ll open up an izakaya and hang out, eating and drinking with my senior and junior writers and dongsaengs.”
“Hahaha!”
The three burst into laughter at Woo Ji-hyun’s candid old-age project.
But none of them dismissed it as a mere joke.
In fact, they all looked intrigued.
Since all three loved drinking, they thought running an izakaya in their later years wouldn’t be a bad pastime.
“There’s nothing bad about taking advantage of it. Frontier Management is desperate for every single writer right now, and you hyungs can fill those gaps. In return, just supply them with good works. Of course, I don’t need to explain the sales side of things.”
“No need to explain Frontier Management. Honestly, I never even dreamed I could sign with them. My last book didn’t do well, so the publisher’s contract terms didn’t improve much.”
“Same here. No contracts lined up after this one.”
“You’re both free agents, then.”
It was good news, but Woo Ji-hyun didn’t get ahead of himself.
As he’d said earlier, he was just presenting options.
The final decision was up to them.
“They’ve talked about contracting my next work too, but the terms haven’t improved much. No offers from anywhere else, so I figured I’d have no choice but to sign.”
“So you’ve all been thinking about it?”
“For now?”
“Me too.”
“If they sell well, sure. The problem is if they don’t.”
An Jin-jeong was followed by Joo Hye-seong and Han Seung-gi.
Frontier Management was a solid option, nothing negative about it.
Plus, from what Woo Ji-hyun had said, the timing was perfect for all three.
“That’s why I’m asking: would you like to talk to them directly?”
“Huh?”
“No way…….”
Woo Ji-hyun spoke in a subtle tone.
Their pupils dilated.
It felt like their hunch was spot on.
“Exactly. Just in case, I’ve already reached out. They’re not waiting nearby or anything. But if I contact them now, they’ll head out right away.”
“What if we go straight to the office?”
An Jin-jeong spoke up suddenly.
Han Seung-gi and Joo Hye-seong reacted immediately.
Frontier Management was the only company in the industry with its own in-house webtoon team.
Naturally, all three were curious about it.
“It’s fine, but let me check first.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“One sec.”
Woo Ji-hyun picked up his smartphone.
But it connected before the ringtone even finished.
“Yeah.”
Woo Ji-hyun chuckled inwardly at Jo Jin-gu, who picked up as if he’d been waiting, then explained the situation with An Jin-jeong.
He soon nodded.
“What’d he say?”
“We can come over?”
“Yeah, it’s fine. Shall we go now?”
“Let’s go!”
The most impatient An Jin-jeong jumped up as if no more words were needed.
Not only that, he downed the remaining iced caramel macchiato in one go.
“Sounds good to me.”
“We came out planning to drink anyway, so we’ve got time.”
“Heard that?”
“Let’s head out. Taxi’ll get us there quick.”
Woo Ji-hyun hadn’t driven either, figuring even if talks fell through, he could just grab a drink with his hyungs.
So as soon as they left the cafe, they hopped in a taxi straight to Frontier Management’s office.
Thud.
Min A-rang, now at a level where she rarely fetched coffee, smiled softly as she set down an iced Americano in front of Woo Ji-hyun.
She placed her own coffee down too and sat across from him.
“You really are a fixer, oppa.”
“A fixer?”
“Yeah. When webtoon issues came up, you brought in the Lee Hye-seong and Lee Ji-seong siblings. Last time, aspiring writers. Now, established ones.”
“As I said before, I feel some responsibility too. Relative deprivation is something everyone feels.”
Woo Ji-hyun had felt it more than anyone in his previous life.
Of course, he hadn’t turned it into malicious jealousy or envy.
Instead, he’d blamed himself.
That he needed to work harder, write and plan more diligently, so why couldn’t he?
‘But the world doesn’t solve everything just because you work hard. Not the one we live in.’
He thought of all the self-help books lining bookstore shelves.
Saying you could succeed without talent.
But Woo Ji-hyun thought differently.
You could succeed without talent or if it was lacking, but with talent, you could succeed faster and bigger.
“You feel that way too, oppa?”
“I’m human.”
“Sometimes you sound just like an ajusshi. Your face is starting to match your age too.”
“That a diss?”
“No? It’s a compliment! Hehe. But when are you buying me that meal?”
Min A-rang asked slyly.
He’d promised last time.
“Next month? After I finish What? Make It For You.”
“Already?”
“It’s overdue. Only 12 volumes so far.”
“You’re really not doing a Part 2? Reactions are great. Better than God of Martial Arts, Return, in my opinion.”
“Had to be.”
Woo Ji-hyun grinned playfully.
God of Martial Arts, Return focused on action and loyalty over 19+ codes.
A classic macho-style novel.
Whereas What? Make It For You wasn’t some scholarly tale.
It made smart use of 19+ elements, so naturally, the reactions were better.
“That’s why I think you should extend Part 1 or go into Part 2. The webtoon would stretch too.”
“Even just God of Martial Arts, Return is massive. Asking for more is greedy, right? You know its webtoon hasn’t even finished Part 2 yet?”
“True, but it’s a shame.”
“Maestro on the Field comes next year. That’s plenty. And I’ve got next project ideas too, though not as a trade-off.”
“Already?”
Min A-rang was surprised again.
He ran like a nonstop freight train.
To the point of worrying about his health.
“Not fully fleshed out. Just rough outlines. No guarantee it’ll work. I’ll write and scrap if it feels off.”
“Kakao Page or Naver would take anything you write.”
Thanks to his streak, Kakao Page was practically bowing to Woo Ji-hyun.
From Blood Link to Maestro on the Field, God of Martial Arts, Return, and now What? Make It For You starting serialization—all hits.
He’d become a no-review-needed writer at the industry’s two giants, Kakao Page and Naver.
They were desperate to court him after he’d proven his worth repeatedly.
“Maybe once. But twice?”
“Fair. This industry’s brutally cold. They’ll forgive one flop as a fluke, but two? Tough.”
“It’s tied to money. Can’t be helped.”
“Still, with overseas expansion, they’ll be clinging to you for a while. Your content’s insane.”
“Proof I’ve worked hard. My medal.”
Woo Ji-hyun smiled contentedly.
A smile came naturally at results so different from his previous life.
But more than achievements, he was thrilled his efforts had paid off.
“Saw this month’s settlement? I was shocked.”
“Same. Way more than expected. Overseas really pays.”
“Domestic’s no slouch either. Webtoons and webnovels growing the pie huge. All flowing to you. With everything so far, you could buy a small building in Incheon, Ansan, Anyang, or Siheung?”
Last year, he’d splurged on a PorX.
Now, he’d surpassed that by leaps.
Unbelievable wealth for someone in his twenties.
So Woo Ji-hyun was seriously considering buildings.
“Looking into it. Thought a Seoul place was enough, but money’s exceeding expectations.”
“You’ll end up a chaebol at this rate? Writer Chaebol!”
“Catchy title. But jinxing it.”
“Life’s unpredictable, like you said. You didn’t expect this either?”
“That’s why I’m thrilled. And scared.”
Settlements weren’t shrinking—they were exploding exponentially.
Enough to shock ordinary folks.
At first, Woo Ji-hyun was thrilled.
Fruit of his labor.
But the nonstop growth brought joy mixed with fear.
Having lived poor, suddenly rich threw him off.
Now, he’d sorted how to spend it.
“But it’s not dirty money, so just enjoy it, oppa. You earned it fair and square. Worked harder than most writers.”
“Thanks. So, upgrading from regular restaurant to hotel restaurant.”
“Oho!”
Min A-rang’s eyes sparkled.
From a well-off family, but not hotel dining every time.
Her eyes shone as she grabbed Woo Ji-hyun’s hand.
“Looks like it went well.”
Used to her touches, Woo Ji-hyun casually pulled away.
He glanced at the president’s office where all four emerged, satisfied.
Didn’t need to ask—it was obvious.
“Bit early, but dinner and drinks?”
“Shall we?”
Seeing their worry lines lift, Woo Ji-hyun stood.
Min A-rang’s face fell.
Unlike the five free to go, she had piles of work left.