IJLMT 52

Chapter 52

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“No way… the teaser has over 6 million views? I’ve never seen anything like this in my life.”

Said Yoo Ho-gil, the Chief Director of the JM Management Headquarters, who was set to retire in three months. The weekly director meetings were originally intended to review team statuses and discuss major ongoing projects.

But over time, especially recently, these meetings had turned into sessions like: “What is Yoo Hyun-jae?”, “Catching up with Yoo Hyun-jae”, or “Yoo Hyun-jae’s Guide”.

“Recently, Gangster King 3’s teaser barely reached 4 million views. Back then, we called that a marketing hit… You need both huge anticipation from the previous works and a massive budget to get results like that. Did we even spend any money? Wow… unbelievable…”

Park Jun-sang, the Right Minister of the Management Headquarters, couldn’t hide his astonishment either. After all, Gangster King 3 had 11.6 million viewers—a hit. All three films in the series had exceeded ten million viewers.

And what about Chalk and Spear? Originally, it was a low-budget scenario meant for the tail end of an OTT service—a revenge story with unclear mainstream appeal.

Yet, its teaser trailer was attracting even more attention than the Gangster King 3 teaser. Teasers aren’t supposed to rack up views like an idol MV.

“I see… Yoo Hyun-jae pulled a triple combo.”
“A triple combo?”

Yoo Ho-gil explained as Park Jun-sang looked puzzled.

“Normally, when running ads, you only focus on exposure, right? Where to place them, how long they’ll be seen… But this guy planned a combo. Mr. Ahn Yeon-hong released the OST, sparking curiosity: ‘What kind of movie will feature this song?’ Then, Lee Joo-ah appears in a public service ad, showcasing her character: ‘What movie is she in?’ And finally, the teaser delivers the finishing blow. People were so thirsty for content that they clicked the teaser endlessly.”

“Ah… but did he really intend that? In retrospect, it worked out that way, but each combo step seems almost impossible to plan. Ahn Yeon-hong was in a composing slump, public service ads are often bland, yet he highlighted Lee Joo-ah….”

“He intended it. Yoo Hyun-jae even designed the PSA concept himself. If he hadn’t intended to link everything to marketing, he wouldn’t have created that concept.”

“Hmm… then the PR department must feel awkward seeing Yoo Hyun-jae’s results. The impact from his solo work surpasses what their marketing achieved.”

“But this won’t just remain a case study in marketing success, right? The movie still needs to be a hit for us to recoup our investment. What does Yoo Hyun-jae think?”

Then Jo Min-su replied:

“At least ten million viewers.”

The two directors’ eyes went wide.

“At least? You said at least? Huh…”
“As far as I know, the movie’s break-even point is 1.8 million viewers… and he predicts over ten million?”
“That’s what Yoo Hyun-jae said.”

Could anyone really predict a movie’s success? It’s always a gamble. Despite that, everyone accepted Yoo Hyun-jae’s forecast.

These were directors just below the executive level—Yoo Ho-gil and Park Jun-sang, who had once overhauled the company with Lee Jong-mook when gangsters were infiltrating the entertainment industry.

“So… should we start planning a sequel?”
“Ah, it’s a shame he’s retiring soon. Haha…”

Leaving the meeting, Jo Min-su thought:

‘The smarter the person, the quicker they accept Yoo Hyun-jae.’

Fools like Lee Eun-sang grumble, “It’s just luck! How did he get promoted?” But capable people like Lee Jong-mook think, “Yoo Hyun-jae said it? Then let’s act on it!” Makes sense, really.

“Yoo Hyun-jae, are you even sleeping?”

Back at the office, Min-su asked him.

“Of course. Sleeping well.”

Then Deputy Yoo Ji-woo chimed in:

“How does Yoo Hyun-jae keep getting better skin every day? You look like a baby right now. Share your secret.”
“Well, I don’t really pay attention.”
“Really? But how do you manage this? You look visibly healthier.”

Other female staff nodded, and Min-su had been wondering the same—hence the question about sleep.

‘Does this guy have Hermione’s Time-Turner or something?’

Normally, managers focus on one artist, and higher-ranking managers handle contracts and schedules more than direct care. But Yoo Hyun-jae does everything. Everything. His decisions are so fast that tasks that take others days are done in minutes—but still, the workload is enormous.

He directly manages Nova Girls, Lim Yu-joo, Lee Joo-ah, Jang Hyung-geon, and even Ahn Yeon-hong. And on The Singer is the Singer, he appeared as Lim Yu-joo’s manager. Yet he somehow looks energetic and fresh every day.

“As announced on Sling, I’ll be out of the office for two days. Take care of things while I’m gone.”

Yoo Hyun-jae left, and the staff made remarks:

“Is the Japan trip really for Nova Girls? Our company’s Japan base is weak. Valhalla dominates there…”
“Come on, he’s Yoo Hyun-jae—he’ll make it happen.”
“His ability is unbelievable, but his composure is a real mystery. ‘Chalk and Spear’ has gotten huge, yet he calmly handles other projects. I’d be losing sleep over it.”
“Trying to understand him is useless. He’s confident in everything.”

Deputy Kim Seung-mok joked, praising Yoo Hyun-jae and the stock rise he caused. But he wasn’t just cheering—Min-su approached him:

“What are you working on?”
“Oh…”

The screen showed notes:

• Seo Yun-woo -> depressed, insecure, yet works hardest -> how to make the public recognize this charm? -> wait, isn’t the depressed, insecure charm itself appealing? Triggers protective instincts -> Yoo Hyun-jae would combine both -> show effort while triggering protective instincts.

Seung-mok quickly scrolled down:

“Just… thinking a bit. After Yun-woo finishes the historical drama and takes a short break, what project should he do next? Scripts are coming in—this is a key point in his filmography.”

Min-su noticed this was unusual for Seung-mok. He had never seen him so frustrated or deeply considering work.

“What did you realize?”
“Ha… I need to stay put here, but if I’m idle, it’ll be hard to stay.”
“Hard to stay? What do you mean?”
“After Team Leader Lee Eun-sang left, the 5-team members were restless. Everyone’s eyeing our seats, scheming.”

That explained the serious expressions of Team 3 members lately—they were always in the office, even on weekends. Yoo Hyun-jae had ignited their motivation.

Team 3 members didn’t need instructions—they strategized to make their artists succeed. Not just for money—they wanted to look impressive. And right now, Yoo Hyun-jae looked the most impressive in the company.

Min-su also saw the hidden note Seung-mok had scrolled past:

• If this pushed script succeeds -> company-wide popularity explosion

He tried to stifle a laugh.

[Hey, you went to Japan, right? Why didn’t you say anything?]
“Do I need to say that?”
[Of course. Then I could’ve booked a ryokan. I could’ve had a beer too.]
“Do you have time for that?”
[Even if not, you’d make time.]

It was Ahn Yeon-hong on the phone. They had been contacting each other frequently since the concert.

“But I’m busy. You know how crazy it gets because of you? Even universities want me to lecture.”

Half-joking, I said:

[Really? Sorry. I just said I gave you courage, didn’t think you’d take it seriously.]

He probably could’ve mistaken me for a girlfriend-type figure too.

[But you’d want to brag, right? If you were Sun Wukong and learned King of Hell techniques, wouldn’t you tell people you met the King of Hell?]
“Am I the King of Hell? You’re Sun Wukong?”
[Exactly.]
“Did you use the power?”
[Made iron, remember? After that, everything started flowing. Ideas come to me effortlessly.]
“Haha… that’s great.”
[Thanks. All because of you.]

Every call, Yeon-hong expressed gratitude. A little awkward since they had barely spoken.

[Now I understand why your people perform so well. It’s like something boiling inside. Yu-joo is preparing a new song, plus filming ‘Chalk and Spear,’ and the last round for Gaga-su.]
“Yeah.”
[Gotta step up. You said I should be world-class.]
“You will be.”
[Haha… it sounds impossible, but since you say it, I believe it. I’ll be first to hear your new song.]

Yeon-hong hung up. Light-hearted but deep and strong—a person worthy of the future seen by the Onion Ring.

• “Wow… didn’t think it’d work, but it did.”

I parked and headed out. Today, I was meeting Nova Girls. They all practiced in the studio—now with their own dedicated space.

“Hyun-jae oppa, it’s been so long.”
“You got what we sent, right?”

The mini-album Blue Heaven showcase was approaching. Venue: Jamsil Gymnasium, double the previous Seojeong Gym.

• Gocheok Dome had baseball today. Jamsil Gym has basketball. Only this date worked.

• What? Are you joking?

Only two months had passed since their last performance. The success of the Seojeong Gym show, UN events, Sekhmet ads, and the members’ constant gratitude and effort… two months had elevated Nova Girls to top star status.

Now it was time to solidify—or climb higher.

“Nari, how do you feel? Nervous like before with 4,000 seats? Now double.”
“Of course I’m nervous!”
“But not as much as before? Following you always works out, right?”
“Even at Budokan or Tokyo Dome, it’d be the same.”
“What? That’s sudden…”

Members looked puzzled, unsure if it was a joke or serious.

“Let’s enter Japan after the album showcase. What do you think?”
“R-really? But… we have confidence now, but…”

Hayoung asked:

“Didn’t our company fail in Japan before? Can we really do it?”
“Yes. Japan agency SERF proposed collaboration. They want Nova Girls on stage. You should be confident.”
“SERF?!”

Eyes widened. SERF is Japan’s largest entertainment firm, a subsidiary of a giant conglomerate. They’d launched numerous boy/girl groups.

“So…!”
“Ah, but we need to decline their offer.”
“…What?”
“We think there’s a more effective route for Japan, so we’ll pursue that instead. How about it?”

Everyone froze. Hyung-sik muttered:

“Declined SERF? But using another method… wow…”

Da-bin calmly said:

“Do as you decide, oppa Hyun-jae. That’s right.”

“Director, is this true?! SERF offered, and you declined?!”
“Yes. It’s true.”
“Why…? This seems like the perfect opportunity. Just signing with SERF gives marketing and ticketing advantages.”
“I know.”
“Then why…?”

Lee Jong-mook smiled, recalling the Japan negotiations:

“Yoo Hyun-jae didn’t like SERF. Said they lack vision.”
“What?!”

Kim Director was confused. Yoo Hyun-jae’s reasoning conflicted with SERF’s apparent merits.

“Instead, we’re contacting a new partner. Still negotiating, though.”

Kim’s face stiffened.

“Did Yoo Hyun-jae really choose this place?”