Chapter 37
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: The One Who Knows Kangyul's Identity
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"D… date?"
Kim Min-a suddenly recalled the casual bet we'd made.
If he racked up more kills than me, he'd get a wish granted.
"…Is that why you've been grinding so hard?"
"Of course. Why else would I bother? Haha."
Kim Min-a's gaze drifted toward Im Honggyu behind me.
I'd been planning to praise him after watching Once-na's humiliating apology video, looking all satisfied.
But when he actually showed up and heard it, it turned out different from what I'd intended.
"I see. Mr. Im Honggyu… you're quite the romantic, aren't you?"
Im Honggyu snapped to attention at the sound of my voice, startled.
"Ah, President. N-no, that's not what I meant."
"Never mind. That's enough Sudden Attack practice for today. Head to Gimpo and check on the land prices and any potential buyers."
"Got it!"
I strode back to the president's office with purposeful steps.
Then, as if something occurred to me, I turned back to Im Honggyu.
"By the way, our company has a strict no-dating policy! Consider that wish null and void!"
Kim Min-a giggled at my words, while Im Honggyu's face fell.
As I entered the office, Im Honggyu trudged out listlessly.
"Jaeyoung, let's go. That's it for today. I'll drop you off at home."
"…Okay, Uncle."
Kim Min-a smirked at Im Honggyu's dejected look and called out cautiously.
"Tch. Honggyu, forget the date for now—how about grabbing a meal sometime later?"
"…Really?! It's a promise!"
Im Honggyu perked up instantly, as if his slump had never happened.
* * *
I shook my head as I sat down at my desk.
'He must've really been practicing hard. Shotgun, of all things.'
I'd said what I said earlier, but I was genuinely impressed by Im Honggyu.
Ding―
Just then, a message popped up on my phone.
[Kim Donghwan: Sir, I've sent the details on that movie investment you asked about last time via email! Please take a look whenever you can!]
'Kim Donghwan the Team Leader gets things done fast, as always.'
I opened the email from Kim Donghwan.
[Here's the list of currently seeking investment films!]
I opened the attached file, and a long list of movies scrolled into view.
Kim Donghwan had thoughtfully sorted them by production company and distributor.
I was surprised by how many there were—over a hundred films, easy.
Apparently, less than half of these would actually get made even with investment.
'Hmm. Alright?'
I printed out the entire list from the attachment and spread it across my desk.
It took up eight full A4 pages.
[The Laptop's Secret]
[Director: Yoon Kyung-il]
[Cast: Lee Yunhwan, Oh Gi-hyuk]
[Synopsis: Lee Jung-ki (Lee Yunhwan) stumbles upon a laptop left behind by his late father. It's packed with porn videos from every race and era around the world. But the moment he clicks play, his body gets sucked into the video…!]
'…What kind of plot is this? This is basically an erotic flick. They get investments for stuff like this?'
A lot of them looked like they'd never see a theatrical release based on the synopses alone.
But a few caught my eye.
[Miracle in Cell No. 7]
[Director: Lee Hwan-kyung]
[Cast: Ryu Seung-ryong, Park Shin-hye, Kal So-won, Oh Dal-su]
[Synopsis: An oddball lands in Cell No. 7, home to the worst criminals in prison. He's Yeong-gu, a doting dad with the mind of a six-year-old. The lifelong convicts of Cell No. 7 get a mission: sneak Yeong-gu's daughter Ye-seung into the prison, where no outsiders are allowed!]
'Jackpot!'
Miracle in Cell No. 7 pulled in a whopping 12.8 million viewers.
It was destined to top Korea's all-time comedy charts.
'Though it's cold rice right now.'
People only remember its success, but the road to production was rocky.
The script got rejected by big distributors like CJ E&M and Lotte Entertainment for lacking box-office potential.
The cash-strapped production company barely made it with co-producers, only to end up in court over profit splits.
'Budget's 3.8 billion won. I'll fund it all.'
This one film alone would net me hundreds of billions.
I underlined Miracle in Cell No. 7 heavily and noted "full investment."
I kept scanning the pages.
[Level Up with Tattoos]
[Director: Kang Deok-geun]
[Cast: Kang Deok-geun, Jang Myeong-ho]
[Synopsis: Kill a cockroach, and a tattoo appears on your body, granting new powers. Kill bugs to gain abilities? An outlandish hunter emerges!]
I couldn't believe it.
The director and cast were total unknowns—and the director was also starring in it.
'What is this? Does this even qualify for investment review?'
I shook my head and moved on.
After sifting through the hundred-plus list, I narrowed it down to five.
[Miracle in Cell No. 7]
[Budget: 3.8 billion]
[Secretly Greatly]
[Budget: 7 billion]
[Hide and Seek]
[Budget: 2.5 billion]
[Masquerade]
[Budget: 10 billion]
[A Werewolf Boy]
[Budget: 3 billion]
I skipped surefire hits like The Face Reader or Snowpiercer on purpose.
Snowpiercer hit 9 million viewers, but its 43.7 billion budget meant a 6 million break-even—barely profitable even at 9 million.
'No need to splash big cash on low returns.'
Films like Hide and Seek, though—2.5 billion budget, 7 million viewers. That's the smart play.
I forwarded the five picks straight to Kim Donghwan.
[President: Team Leader Kim Donghwan, full investment on these five films please. List Midas Corporation as the investor. If there are others involved, outbid them with better terms.]
Kim Donghwan replied almost immediately after checking the list.
[Kim Donghwan: Yes, sir. I'll contact them right away and draw up contracts.]
[President: Don't forget to bring the company lawyers for contract review. Just show me at final signing.]
Jang Deokcheol would be perfect for handling this meticulously, but he was swamped already.
Acting as chairman proxy for Hwijeong Elementary, reviewing the mutual savings bank—it'd take two of him to keep up.
'Time to start delegating more.'
* * *
Late afternoon, a call came from Im Honggyu in Gimpo.
He sounded unusually excited, like he'd met someone big.
―President! Someone wants to buy the whole 160,000 pyeong at 300,000 won per pyeong. They said if possible, they'd close tomorrow.
"300,000 won a pyeong?"
It was a bit above the local market rate.
160,000 pyeong at that price? A cool 48 billion won.
'No individual drops that kind of cash in one go.'
As if answering my doubt, Im Honggyu continued.
―Word is, the buyer's a loan shark chairman out of Myeongdong.
'A loan shark boss.'
"Tell him okay for now. Cash only, no trades."
―Got it!
The buyer wasn't bluffing—he promised 48 billion in cash by next week.
From my side, it was a steal, no loss at all, so I greenlit the contract happily.
But as closing neared, Im Honggyu called again.
―…President. The buyer wants to meet you personally before stamping the deal.
"I'll send Vice President Jang Deokcheol."
―…No, they specifically asked for you, President Kangyul. They seemed to know all about what you've been up to. Insisted on a meal at least. What should I do?
'…Ugh, hassle. What if they see my face and dismiss me as a kid?'
It could get even messier once they laid eyes on me.
They had no clue Midas Corporation's president was an eight-year-old.
But Im Honggyu's next words made my expression harden instantly.
―…And… they already know you're young. Even said not to worry about it.
"Hmm."
I let out a low groan.
My mind raced, piecing together how the buyer knew my secret.
Only a handful knew my true identity.
'Mun Seyun and Mun Segwang?'
But those old men, stripped of everything and rotting in detention, had no reason to blab about me.
'Who the hell is it?'
"Got it. Set up the meeting. I'll see them myself."
―…Understood, President.
I hung up and sank into deeper thought.