Chapter 59
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 59
Chapter Title: January Kickoff
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I kicked off January on a high note with the paid release of Jirisan Elf.
It was that time of year when some folks vowed to quit smoking, others swore off booze.
I wrote, just like any other day.
Lee Sara had reached out around Christmas wanting to meet, but I'd put her off citing the paid chapters.
Most people found the end-of-year holidays hectic, but not me. I'd already lived through 2015—even if it was under confinement—and I knew exactly what truly mattered to me.
Living a boring life?
Maybe, but with The Strongest Idol Ever to write and romance fantasy side projects to push forward, I couldn't afford distractions.
'Extra income now.'
The Team Leader bait hadn't worked, but Jirisan Elf's success had brought in cash. I was running the company off The Strongest Idol Ever revenue, so Jirisan Elf earnings were mine to invest freely.
'Time to buy some coins...'
Put in 100 million, and in ten years, you'd have 200 billion. Magic. I could invest every won I earned and hold tight, but that would just repeat the past.
A bunch of authors would get kidnapped, Number 7 included. What good is money then?
'More webtoons too.'
No real estate. Coins would make far more.
No stocks either. Never tried, no clue which ones would blow up when.
'Stick to what can 10x in the short term.'
I roughly estimated this month's settlement and picked up my phone.
"Yes, President."
-Hmph! Finally calling me?
"Been busy."
-Sure, sure. Am I just sitting around with nothing to do?
"Uh, calling about an investment. Mind setting aside personal feelings and talking business?"
-Do we even have personal feelings to set aside?
I indulged her cute grumbling a bit longer before getting to the point.
"Want to invest in broadcasting. As president, you can handle production from the ground up, right?"
-We need to meet for this. Only free tonight.
"Perfect timing?"
-I'm swamped with company work and dramas too!
"Where to?"
-That chicken feet place.
Ah, there again.
***
Strike while the iron's hot, they say. So I headed to meet Lee Sara. Knew there'd be drinks, so I'd finished tomorrow's quota ahead of time.
Ended up a tad late.
"Sorry."
I arrived at the chicken feet joint at 6:06, but Lee Sara looked like she'd been there ages. She glanced up from her laptop with a pout.
"You kept me waiting, so you're buying the drinks."
"Deal."
The down-to-earth vibe from someone worth hundreds of billions was always amusing. She had enough to last lifetimes, yet I'd never seen her splurge.
"Eaten yet?"
"We'll eat together later."
"Sounds good. So, what wind blew our author here so suddenly?"
"Not sudden—been planning it awhile. Now that I have some leeway, time to try."
A billion or two a month is huge for most, but massive ventures need way more.
"First: a girl idol open audition."
"Nothing special? Those are everywhere."
"I'll raise the winners myself. Like DM."
"Now that's interesting. How's DM doing?"
"They'll struggle a few years."
"Sounds like 'just a few years' to me."
"Positive thinking."
"Your face says you're dead certain."
It'll work. Globally.
Couldn't elaborate, so I pivoted.
"Second: a dating variety show."
"Not celebrities—regular folks?"
"Yep. No scripts, no pre-planned PD setups. Pure reality."
"Doesn't click. What's the hook?"
"Put five girls and five guys in a house for a week—stuff happens."
"...Huh?"
"Add twists per episode: all lifelong singles, or divorcees seeking remarriage."
I tested her instincts some more.
Ideas don't make money unmade. Business folks first check commercial viability.
"No worries on appearance fees, that's for sure."
"Right. But PD editing has to be killer—capture every subtle emotion."
"A week... Pilot might be tough."
"If they immerse, could stretch to 16 episodes."
100 billion in earnings, but actors take it all—nothing left. This show? Ten people at ten million each.
"Difference from 'My Significant Other'?"
A similar show already existed.
"Host. Like 'I Live Alone'—an MC sharing contestants' situations and feelings amps the fun. Doesn't need fame. Just charisma."
"That alone?"
"Minus the script."
Had to be real. PD and MC clueless on emotions for the thrill.
"Hmm."
Lee Sara raised her hand.
"Chicken feet! Soju too!"
Early evening—place was empty but us.
"Already?"
"We covered business."
"I just started."
"Starting's half the battle. Rest is choice."
Pop.
She cracked the soju open boldly, filled her glass, and propped her chin.
"Now's the time for my agenda."
"I'm listening."
"Shall we talk elves?"
Ah, she saw it.
"Honestly, elves have better odds than those two. Casting's key, but scour Korea—you'll find child actors matching the vibe."
"Already eyeing the drama."
"Why not? Gangster premieres this month—gotta prep the follow-up."
She smiled meaningfully.
"Our company's ramping up content investments. Next three years: 200 billion."
Whoa, big leagues.
"200 billion sounds huge, but a few films or dramas and poof. Need surefire hits. I see potential in your works."
"Honored."
"Gangster results in months, but I think it'll hit. Visited set?"
"Not yet."
Wanted to check on DM kids, but Jirisan Elf had me skimping on sleep.
"Vibe's electric. Not chummy—everyone's convinced in the project. It's fresh."
"Good to hear. Script done?"
"Up to 14. 16 to you by month's end. Scriptwriter Byun's nailing that finale you wanted—why it's taking extra time."
"Gotta buy her dinner sometime."
Goshiwon days felt dreamlike sometimes; chicken feet with Lee Sara grounded me.
Seats filling, chatter rising—folks unwinding from the day, toasting tomorrow.
"You said it here before: old content was dramatic, but you're the fantastic one."
"Did, huh."
Drunk ramblings.
"I believe it. That's why I'm betting."
Here, I lacked certainty. Idol auditions and dating shows? Future-sight guaranteed success. Jirisan Elf? No drama precedent. Even Team Leader called it dumb.
"Could flop."
"Could soar."
She grinned, glass up. I smiled wryly, clinked.
***
"Ugh, my head."
Nearly noon next day, I dragged to the rooftop. Ye-jin was waiting, lunged at me on sight.
"You're doing Jirisan ElfandThe Strongest Idol Ever dramas?!"
"Wha... what?"
Ye-jin grabbed my arm.
"Warn a girl! President Lee's call earlier shocked me senseless!"
Wait, Strongest Idol too?
Hold on, fleeting memory...
-Then we'll discuss adaptation rights with Ye-jin.
Sly fox. One passing "works" in drinks resurfaced another.
"...Guess so."
Ye-jin wasn't scolding—just stunned.
Might as well explain the rest.
"Sit."
Open auditions and dating reality? Ye-jin barely cared.
Makes sense why hits are rare. I knew outcomes, no hesitation; to others, pie-in-sky.
"Elf casting won't be easy?"
Elf at climax.
"Gotta smooth child-to-adult transition. Webtoon fans won't riot over looks or aura."
Ye-jin echoed Lee Sara. Jin-seong would've sweetened the deal.
"Hang on. Need water."
"I'll get it!"
Her excitement lingered—moves lightning-fast. I was the hungover one...
'How much did I down yesterday.'
Lee Sara always wrecked my limit.
"So Jirisan Elf, Strongest Idol, dating show, open audition—all at once?"
"Yeah. My role's light. President Lee handles. I provide originals, chip in investment."
"You're investing too?"
"My ideas, my responsibility."
We ate brunch chatting. Ye-jin thrilled more than me over Jirisan Elf drama news.
"Fan cafe launch when? Readers'll love it."
"Post-rights stamp."
"Got it!"
With Lee Sara's drive, contracts were reviewed, investments scaled. Smooth sailing ahead.
"Whew... Call if anything."
"Heading down already?"
"Gotta write."
"Rest today. You overdid the drinks."
"Nah. Drama's greenlit. Gotta hustle."
My body's not mine anymore. Each novel shaped lives beyond expectations.
'More. Faster.'
To tackle coming ventures, become a writing machine, free up time.
***
Two days later, great news: DM cracked music show top 10.
First digital single. Full album next—if drama boosts, faces everywhere.
'Domestic matters, but they're for overseas.'
Steady short vids online—Min the Team Leader nailed it.
Novels, webtoons, dramas, variety, idols—add one more.
"Hello. I'm author Memento Mori."
-Waaaaah!
Me, on stage unbidden.
Ye-jin had prepped the academy steadily. OT day. Teased via novels, webtoons, fan cafe.
Promotion boards offered collabs, but solo for now.
"... ."
Cheers faded; I eyed 200 ahead. Future webnovel and webtoon creators.
Then.
'Huh?'
Spotted a familiar face.