Chapter 37
once a month
A place where I met former co-workers after returning to Korea after a long time.
After eating at a Japanese restaurant, the second round went to a pub.
Apparently, there was no place like a pub to have a comfortable conversation with co-workers.
It’s true that I missed chicken and beer.
This time, I sat at a table with Kim Sang-ki, Na Sang-guk, and Lee Jong-yeop.
“How have you been?”
“then. We are the same every day.”
“What watch are you wearing right now? It looks great.”
“It’s sad that I haven’t seen you in such a long time. Manager Kim.”
As soon as I sat down, I said one word at a time.
Still, the people who bumped into each other the most during my work life.
I have many bad memories of Na Sang-guk, but now it feels like a bittersweet memory.
The one who told me the reality when I didn’t have money and was sad.
I answered Na Sang-guk’s question with a light laugh.
“This is Patek Philippe.”
“Isn’t that a very expensive watch?”
“yes. A bit pricey.”
“Since Assistant Manager Kim said a little, how much is it? One 2,000?”
If it was 20 million won for a watch, it was a very high price.
To be honest, I wouldn’t bother photographing a watch like this, an absolute luxury, unless it was for a Forbes interview.
How comfortable it was to have a smart watch that automatically sets the time when traveling around different countries.
“Around $400,000.”
“Four hundred thousand dollars?”
“yes. It’s a limited edition Patek Philippe.”
Even though I said it myself, I thought I was incompetent.
It was strangely interesting to see Na Sang-guk’s expression as if he had been hit with a blow with his mouth open.
The feeling of a complete reversal of past relationships.
It’s okay to talk like this since we didn’t have a good relationship at work.
‘Am I bragging about money like this for fun?’
Lee Jong-yeop poured beer into my glass and said.
“Your expression seems to have brightened.”
“okay?”
“yes. In the past, it looked like an anxious puppy.”
“… … .”
Did this guy have something piled up on me too?
How many people can understand that I was nervous and anxious after living without it for so long.
Even my marriage was the worst.
“Are you still dating Yoo Hye-ri?”
“a. When was the last time you got along well with each other? Right now, I’m just riding here and there.”
“Some.”
“You should enjoy being young. Originally, people in their 20s don’t waste motel money.”
Lee Jong-yeop’s view of life was difficult to understand, yet I felt envious.
I felt it after earning a lot of money.
Rather than driving a car like a Bentley or Porsche in your 30s, you can be much happier having a domestic car when you go to college in your 20s.
As time goes on, I regret not being able to play properly in my teens and 20s.
‘Who knew that I would save so hard that I would lose most of it to my ex-wife and hit the jackpot with coins?’
It’s unfair and I can’t complain anywhere.
Lee Jong-yeop asked.
“Hmmm. older brother. What are you going to do from now on? Are you going abroad again?”
“I have to go out if I need to. But there are things I want to do in Korea.”
At the age of 32, I was still young, so I wanted to try something myself.
* * *
After the second round, it’s time for everyone to go home.
“It was fun.”
“See you next time.”
One by one, team leader Ahn patted me on the shoulder.
“It’s good to see how well you’ve been doing.”
“Thanks to the team leader.”
“Let’s call again later.”
“yes. Please go in.”
Team leader Ahn calls a designated driver.
The last person left was Jo Soo-ah, but she spoke first.
“Would you like a cup of coffee?”
From the time Jo Soo-ah was left, it seemed like we were going to talk about something.
“Is vending machine coffee okay?”
“yes. like.”
After taking two cups of coffee from the vending machine, I stood on the street.
Bodyguards in suits were escorting them from a distance, but it was a familiar sight now.
I hesitated about what to say, but she spoke first.
“You know? I like you.”
“… … .”
It’s not Manager Kim, it’s an older brother.
Would you say you liked it too?
I knew the heart to some extent, but hearing it myself made my mind go blank.
Embarrassing, but never in a bad mood.
“Do you know why I like you?”
“Well.”
“He is a strangely attractive person. I want to be by your side, I want to talk all night long.”
“… … .”
I didn’t know Jo Soo-ah could be so honest.
I thought I was clearing my mind by cutting my hair short, but I just became prettier than before.
“Mom and Dad are making a fuss about not bringing a boyfriend.”
“yes. I see.”
“Can’t you see me at least once a month while you’re in Korea?”
“… … .”
I couldn’t refuse.
Although Ellie came to mind, I met her briefly three or four times a year.
You could say he’s selfish or greedy, but he might break up with Ellie someday, but he doesn’t want to lose Jo Soo-ah.
‘I thought my feelings would fade over time.’
If Jo Soo-ah left on her own, I should let her go, but if her heart remains, it’s too bad to let her go.
“Let’s meet at least once in a while.”
“You promised.”
“yes.”
* * *
While traveling abroad, I realized the heightened status of Korea.
Most of the travelers I met at the hostel knew about Korea and were interested in celebrities and dramas.
South America area.
In Colombia, Peru, and Brazil, local women were particularly fond of being told that they were Korean.
‘You can feel the pride of being a Korean while traveling?’
There were many times when I had conversations with slender women.
“Kim Shin. How old are you?”
“32 years old.”
“Oh My God. lie!”
“I am 32 years old in Korean age. I’ll be 30 here.”
“okay?”
Latino South American women were passionate.
Even staying at a hostel with a backpack in a shabby t-shirt and jeans, we quickly became friends.
“I wish Kim Shin would be a little more aggressive.”
“yes?”
“Why don’t you ask me out on a date?”
travelers or local residents.
Honestly, every time I stopped by the city, there were small temptations.
I was criticized for not being brave enough to ask a woman out on a date in the evening over a glass of beer while having a conversation.
And if you feel certain about it.
‘People like content made in Korea.’
When I lived in a semi-basement room, I enjoyed watching interesting movies, dramas, and variety shows.
I was able to forget the hard reality and laugh happily.
―Kim Shin: I’m thinking of investing in a movie or drama.
―Myungwoo Oh: What do you mean all of a sudden?
-Kim Shin: I thought it would be fun.
―Kim Shin: Imagine making a new drama with your favorite IU as the main character. It costs a lot of money to produce.
―Myungwoo Oh: That’s good. It’s going to be so much fun. do it, do it unconditionally
The business prospects are also bright, and the favorite content industry.
Although there are disadvantages of being an amateur and having little experience in the related field.
‘Startup founders weren’t good at management from the beginning. Once you start doing something you like, you either succeed or fail.’
There were reasons why not.
If you want to do it, start it and learn what you don’t know.
32 years old is a good age to go through challenges or failures.
“Nice to meet you. This is Kim Shin.”
“My name is Jeong Beom-tae. I worked for InDream Investments for 12 years.”
I was introduced to and met a person with a good career and reputation in the film industry.
The person who introduced me was unexpectedly Team Leader Ahn.
At a drinking party, he said that he was thinking of investing in the Korean content industry, so he told me to meet his friend because he was in the related industry.
“This guy has a strong sense of responsibility and good performance. Even though he works overtime like a meal, he never once complained.”
“okay.”
“See you. You can tell a lot about the industry.”
“yes. All right.”
You are a night shift talent.
Isn’t this the best talent from Korean SMEs?
After being introduced by team leader Ahn, Jeong Beom-tae’s impression of meeting him in person is that he looks good with enthusiasm and hard work.
There are many cheaters in the world, but it’s hard to hide the feeling of working hard.
From the standpoint of the company, some employees get 10 times their salary while hiring one employee, but some employees have done more than that.
“I plan to set up a comprehensive content corporation to invest in movies, dramas and entertainment in Korea.”
“I see. You speak Korean fluently. Are you a foreigner?”
“no. I am Korean, but my actual base is on the American side.”
“ah. Yes. You see.”
Jeong Beom-tae said that he worked as a short film director when he was young, and then worked in the film investment industry.
So far, I have led several successful businesses, and I have built a good track record in the company, but I have not been able to rise to a high position due to political reasons.
“I think Korean movies and dramas are being eaten around the world. Especially movies with zombies.”
A movie that takes place on a train going to Busan.
It was a box office success in Korea, but became very popular with zombie fans abroad.
There were quite a few travelers from South America who said they had seen the trip to Busan.
“I think that Korean content can be fully enjoyed by the world.”
“Yes. I think so too. The amount sold at film festivals is also increasing significantly.”
We had a little coffee and chatted.
It was convenient to have business meetings with office workers.
To be honest, I was the one with the money, so it was easy to lead the conversation.
In the past, I was busy responding to the doctors’ stories, but it feels like the situation has been reversed.
“I think the initial capital of the company to be established is around 50 billion.”
“Is it 50 billion?”
Jung Beom-tae’s eyes widened.
It seemed that the investment amount was more than expected.
“yes. I would like you to serve as Vice President of the company I invest and establish. You will have real rights and will do most of the investment work related to the movie.”
Jung Beom-tae made a look of genuine surprise at the investment money.
This amount is enough to shoot 10 films independently.
It was a very large amount considering that usually distributors and other investors were involved.
“As we prepare our workforce, we also have the idea of acquiring the production company.”
“Are you going to make it yourself?”
“yes. Personally, I have a lot of interest in entertainment. I think entertainment PDs can’t spread their wings in the broadcasting system.”
Many overseas entertainment programs are organized in a seasonal format so that directors and performers can recharge and experiment with various ideas.
In Korea, it was impossible to take a break from broadcasting throughout the year because of viewership ratings and advertisements.
Popular long-running programs were often canceled by broadcasters when passion and ideas ran out and ratings fell.
It is difficult to produce good entertainment in such a system.
When a variety show that I really loved was suddenly abolished, it felt like the fun in life was diminishing.
“I think Korean entertainment can also reach the world. I would like to recruit entertainment PDs so that they can produce freely.”
“You seem to have such thoughts. That makes sense, but profitability… … .”
“If OTT becomes more active, I think there will be many places to sell completed entertainment.”
It was the thought I had the whole time after making a successful investment in Netflix.
In the U.S., broadcasting stations and Disney directly create OTT and are competing fiercely.
OTT was also made in Korea, but it is true that it is difficult to compare in terms of market size or scalability.
It has the advantage of being easily distributed in the global market through the US-affiliated OTT.
“I hope to make a lot of fun programs by recruiting entertainment PDs and writers.”
“50 billion would be enough to try.”
“That money should be used to invest in movies. We will separately invest 50 billion in entertainment. And this is just initial capital.”
“Yes?”
Jeong Beom-tae looked like he had been beaten.
‘I have to beat it with money.’
Money is the way to quickly fill up your lack of experience and networking.
Investment was required to create quality content.
In the United States, a drama season spends a budget of 100 million dollars, but compared to that, Korean entertainment has a low-cost, high-efficiency structure.
The production cost of variety shows that are popular in Asia is only about 10 billion won a year.
At one time, an entertainment program made a profit for KBS, but the production cost and compensation for it were limited.
Jung Beom-tae came out and looked over at the bodyguards and said.
“Are the investments and everything you just said true?”
“We plan to execute the investment as soon as the establishment of the corporation is completed. You must have a lot of questions about me, right?”
“Honestly, yes.”
“If we work together, we will soon find out.”