Chapter 154
Translator: uly
Chapter: 154
Chapter Title: Once Again, Writer
“I think it’ll be tough to catch up for a while. There just aren’t that many real talents anywhere you go. The problem is, it’s not easy for us to find them either. That’s where Jong-su has been a huge help.”
“From talking to him over drinks, he didn’t seem to have much desire to create his own work. If anything, he looked pretty satisfied with life at the company.”
“It’s probably because he’s stuck in the middle on both sides. And he knows it better than anyone.”
“That’s not an easy thing to admit.”
Woo Ji-hyun stroked his chin.
He knew all too well how hard it was to look at yourself objectively and accept the truth.
Even in his past life, he’d clung to writing despite knowing his talent was nothing special.
He’d stubbornly believed that sheer effort would pay off eventually, that his big break was just around the corner.
‘Realizing how foolish that was came way too late.’
Woo Ji-hyun was acutely aware that his current position was the result of the miracle called regression.
Knowing the future, plus a bit of luck, had led to these outcomes.
That’s why he always stayed humble, always ready to fall back to rock bottom.
Some rode a steady wave after one big hit, while others roller-coastered between jackpots and flops.
“So I’m pretty surprised myself. I figured he’d gain some experience and go independent eventually. But yesterday, he asked if he could get a promotion here. I told him of course—if Jong-su sticks around, we’d welcome it with open arms.”
“Having Jong-su around makes things easier for me too. He’s responsible and steadfast, sees things through to the end. He lacks a bit of flair, but that’s innate—you can’t force it. Experience can help sometimes, but it’s a slim chance.”
“It’s a perfect example of how much talent dictates things in the arts and athletics.”
“Exactly.”
The saying “talent is everything” wasn’t just empty words.
It crushed the motivation of hardworking people in an instant, but sadly, it was undeniable.
“So we’re planning to build the webtoon team around Jong-su. We need to keep our company’s identity intact. If he’s the core, I think that’s perfect.”
“I agree.”
“Plus, the webtoon team’s workload has spiked lately. We’ve got more than a few authors asking us to adapt their work.”
Jo Jin-gu let out a deep sigh.
If their sales justified a webtoon adaptation, there’d be no hesitation.
The issue was that everyone and their dog was demanding one.
Even with sales that didn’t come close.
“They all want their novels turned into webtoons.”
“The problem is they have no shame about it. If it were me, I’d hit some solid numbers first before even bringing it up. This is straight-up tantrum territory.”
Having dealt with a crowd of them, Jo Jin-gu sounded more exasperated than usual.
With one success story like Woo Ji-hyun around, everyone figured they deserved the same.
“We need to set clear criteria.”
“I know, but we don’t have enough data yet. Sales hits vary by platform anyway. Without solid samples, it’s hard to draw lines.”
Woo Ji-hyun nodded.
The industry wasn’t systematized enough yet.
Kakao Page and Naver were growing into giants, but it was still a Warring States era.
Platforms popped up and vanished constantly, making big data scarce.
“Fair enough. There’s still that sliver of hope. I never imagined going overseas myself.”
“Even without Taiwan, you’d have succeeded eventually, Ji-hyun. The overseas push just sped it up.”
“Have your hyungs been asking about webtoons?”
“They’d love it, but no one’s pushed yet. If the numbers are there, I’m all in. Same for our other contracted authors. Sales might affect treatment, but we won’t discriminate personally.”
“You’ve done great so far. I’m sure you’ll keep it up.”
Jo Jin-gu’s darkened expression brightened a touch.
Woo Ji-hyun’s words seemed to give him a boost.
“Thank you. Oh, and the response has been excellent for the titles launching in Hong Kong and Singapore. Martial arts like God of Martial Arts, Return aren’t exploding, but they’re steady sellers. China and Japan have finally bitten. Though they want different titles.”
“Feels like the game’s really expanding.”
“With Elder and Binny’s songs going global, those royalties won’t be small. The pie’s already bigger.”
“Ha.”
Woo Ji-hyun laughed awkwardly.
He genuinely hadn’t pictured going that far overseas.
Yet the more he thought about it, the bigger things seemed to get.
Even their meetings focused more on abroad than domestic now.
“Thanks to you, Kakao Page is desperate. They know your titles carry more weight than their brand. They’ve got the precedent of losing out. O Executive gets calls daily—about your next work. He knows Kumiko’s reaching out too.”
“I’m not at that level.”
“Domestically, sure, a few match you. But overseas? You’re the genre novelist who succeeded. Not just ‘good sales’—success.”
Jo Jin-gu laid on the praise without a hint of embarrassment.
Oblivious to Woo Ji-hyun’s discomfort.
But it wasn’t flattery.
The sales figures proved it.
“You’re really putting me on a pedestal today.”
“No, I’m underselling it. Haven’t even gotten to the main point. This is just results so far.”
“Underselling?”
“You’re the face of our company. Top seller, sturdy pillar.”
Woo Ji-hyun’s face grew awkward.
Jo Jin-gu, enjoying the rare tease, just kept grinning.
“Ugh, enough.”
“Haha, got it. Status report ends here. Next: China and Japan, where we left off. China’s from Tencent—they want your martial arts and God of Martial Arts, Return. Cocoa Page has you locked, so I can’t negotiate, but we got a nice payout.”
“That money’s funding Mom’s store remodel right now.”
“We’ll have to do a company dinner there soon.”
Management deals with Kakao Page were mostly standard.
But exceptions existed everywhere.
Especially with clear power imbalances.
Woo Ji-hyun’s terms were so superior, they stayed confidential.
“You’d come all the way to Incheon? Haha, I’ll take the thought.”
“Full staff’s tough, but key people? Min Deputy’s in Bucheon anyway.”
Jo Jin-gu muttered seriously.
If Woo Ji-hyun came here, he, Yeom Tae-seong, and Min A-rang could easily hit Incheon.
Oddly, the webtoon team lived nearby too.
“Still under construction, so later. What about Japan?”
“They’re surprisingly into Blood Link. Asked if it could be tweaked for light novels.”
“Japan’s light novel market is massive.”
“Yeah, and they left room for webtoons. Of course, they want God of Martial Arts, Return rights. Plus interest in Maestro on the Field and Blood Link.”
“They know Maestro on the Field’s transmission rights revert from Ranier Publishing next year?”
Woo Ji-hyun looked surprised.
He hadn’t expected a Japanese firm to know that.
Especially when Korea’s market pie was less than half of Japan’s.
“I was shocked too, but it makes sense. Contracts demand diligence. If they dig, they’ll find it.”
“Light novels, huh.”
“It’s just an inquiry, so mulling it over isn’t bad.”
Having worked with Woo Ji-hyun so long, Jo Jin-gu knew his style well.
He knew it didn’t mesh with light novels.
But with Woo Ji-hyun’s constant growth, he held some hope.
“Probably not. No confidence tweaking a new work into that. Feels unnecessary risk.”
“Understood. I’ll pass it on.”
“So we’re mostly wrapped?”
“One more. The big one. And it’s interesting.”
Jo Jin-gu gave a meaningful smile.
Unlike before, he paused dramatically.
“Interesting how?”
“Naver and Kakao Page are at it again. Naver’s terms are way better this time—probably the overseas results.”
“Hoo.”
Woo Ji-hyun mirrored Jo Jin-gu’s expression.
No one turned down a better deal handed to them.
Assuming the next work delivered, which Woo Ji-hyun was sure of.
‘It’s not like I haven’t written showbiz stuff. Research is solid—no way it flops unless I botch my condition.’
Woo Ji-hyun smiled confidently.
He knew himself well.
His goal wasn’t some Nobel Prize grandeur.
Top Korean author? That was plenty for a regressed life.
“And a bit early, but Naver sent an invitation.”
“Invitation?”
“Yes.”