IJLMT 09

Chapter 9

What is the most important thing in life? I think the answer is money.

Money is what gives humans freedom, power in words and actions, and even the kind of charm that appeals to others. Without it, none of that is possible.

Most people who say, “I don’t really care about money” when they clearly don’t have much are probably lying. People often say that those kinds of people are the dead to money.

Still, I can kind of understand the mindset of people who claim they aren’t greedy for money.

When you have no money right now, no prospects for it, and the “state of having money” seems like it’s hanging at the edge of the sky, admitting your own greed can feel like it would actually kill you. If you don’t develop a logic to claim, “I’m fine as I am now,” won’t you end up living a life that is never okay?

But for some reason, maybe because I’m not very smart—or maybe because I am—I failed to develop that logic. So, I wasn’t okay.

• I’ve thought a lot about it… but I met you when you were twenty, and now you’re in your late twenties, right? I think it’s time to seriously consider this.

The most important thing in life is money. Without money, a girlfriend of seven years will leave you. Without money, you don’t even have enough grounds to resent her. If you ask, “So, you want me to roll in the gutter with you?” there’s no answer. Sora’s actions—most people might secretly think she was wise.

Then wouldn’t accepting this proposal now be the wise thing to do?

“Is… the offer not to your liking? Currently, your annual salary is 55 million won. That’s higher than Deputy Manager Kim Yoo-cheol, who originally handled it. You’re being treated like a senior. Also, the special clause we added when you were originally managing Nova Girls—it’s all included. You’ll receive performance-based pay proportional to the sales for managing Lim Yu-joo. Do you know how much she earns in a year?”

“Ah… probably a lot, right?”

Director Park Jung-woo frowned.

“You still don’t want it?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Why? First, I was just being stubborn. I wanted to insist that Sora’s action of dumping a boyfriend of seven years for money was a trashy thing to do. I wanted to scream, “What? Nova Girls is just starting to take off, and you want me to switch positions for more money? Who do you think I am, someone like Shin Sora?!” That was the main reason.

Second, I felt like I could afford to. After all, I have 1.5 billion won. Only someone with money can genuinely act like money isn’t important. And the onion bracelet wrapped around my wrist was giving off its scent, confirming that this choice was the right one.

“I want to keep managing Nova Girls.”

Normally, I’d have been trembling in front of a director. This is why money is important. Because I have money, I can stand my ground.

“Currently, we’re not neglecting those kids. You know the PR team is in chaos right now? We’re desperately trying to take advantage of the moment. More managers will follow soon. You don’t have to worry about anything.”

“Of course. JM is a reputable company; I trust you to handle it well.”

“Then…”

“I’m just worried the kids might feel bad. I only joined ten days ago, and if I’m moved to manage Lim Yu-joo, won’t their confidence waver? I told them I believe they’d do well.”

“They’ll understand, won’t they? It’s not anyone else but Lim Yu-joo’s management. It’s the conditions everyone dreams of.”

“They’ll understand, but they’ll still feel bad, right?”

Director Park pinched his eyebrows.

“So, you want to reject this for the sake of their feelings? No other reasons? Just that?”

“Yes.”

“What kind of case is this… Wait, hold on a minute.”

The director picked up his phone, made a call, and after some time returned.

“Hold on. The CEO is coming down.”

“What?”

The CEO is coming down just to see me, a regular employee?

“This guy has a point. Then let’s do this—he manages both.”

“Eh?!”

Director Park Jung-woo blurted out without realizing.

“CEO, isn’t that impossible? Both Lim Yu-joo and Nova Girls are scheduled to appear on Music Tomato this Friday.”

Lim Yu-joo is a strong character. She refused to take a break even though the company advised her to.

“In that case, focus on Nova Girls first. Make them the main responsibility, and Yu-joo will be the sub-manager. She has a fixed radio schedule on Sundays, right? You’ll accompany her for that, and otherwise help when necessary. That works, right?”

Of course, it works. Managers often handle multiple artists simultaneously, especially in smaller agencies.

Park Jung-woo was curious why they were bending over backward for me. Plus, accompanying for radio? Wasn’t that just for show? He expected more persuasion…

Even so, I asked after hearing CEO Lee Jong-mook.

“What if Lim Yu-joo’s radio schedule conflicts with Nova Girls’ schedule?”

“Then you take care of Nova Girls. When the main talent isn’t scheduled, you manage Yu-joo. If the schedules overlap, prioritize Nova Girls but just report properly. Any problem with that?”

“None, I think.”

“Good. Since Yu-joo is now sub, the performance-based pay clause can’t be maintained, but we’ll adjust the annual salary to 60 million won. How’s that?”

“…Thank you.”

“Okay. Director Park, contact HR to rewrite the contract. Currently, thanks a lot for securing our flagship artist. We hope you continue your great work.”

After the contract was finalized, I left the room. Director Park couldn’t hold back.

“A 60 million annual salary for a new manager… The flagship star is sub, and a rookie idol is main… I’m losing my mind, CEO.”

“What’s wrong? We want them managing Yu-joo, but they insist on Nova Girls. We’re the ones thirsty here; we must compromise.”

“I thought you’d try to persuade them.”

“You see, the director tried. It didn’t work. Would me doing it make a difference?”

“Of course it would. You can control the entertainment market full of thugs with just your words.”

“Ha ha…”

Lee Jong-mook sipped coffee.

“Controlling thugs isn’t a big deal. They’re just human. In fact, their greed is obvious, so it’s easier to control. No matter what they say about loyalty, you can tell what they’re thinking.”

“Really? Well… you have mind-reading skills, after all. How about this person?”

“They seemed mad at the director. More negotiation would only anger them. That’s bad for us.”

“Me?”

Park Jung-woo was baffled. He was being scolded by the director even though he’s just a second-year employee.

“Like, ‘You fool, you think I’m someone who can be bought with money?!’?”

“No… isn’t that what the CEO just said to me?”

Lee Jong-mook chuckled.

“No, I see it directly now. This person isn’t normal. Saving Yu-joo, dealing with the intruder, it’s not a coincidence. They’ll keep causing incidents, but in a good way.”

“Hmm…”

Park Jung-woo tilted his head. Lee muttered, “Yu-joo will regret it,” and went upstairs.

How often do you meet CEO Lee Jong-mook in person? In two years at AMD, I only saw him twice: once passing in the hallway, and once during corporate training on stage.

Today, I saw him twice in one day. I was called to the CEO’s office in the afternoon. Lim Yu-joo was sitting with him. Soon, I ended up in a small disagreement with her.

“That… I don’t think that’s appropriate.”

I said.

“Why not? I’m your life-saving benefactor.”

“Yes. But I’ve practically already been rewarded. The CEO has already taken care of things.”

“That’s the CEO, not me.”

“Then at least get me a car set. Going home… that’s a bit much.”

“What’s the problem? I heard you’re looking for a house. I inquired yesterday, and you haven’t decided yet.”

How did she know? She was right. I didn’t visit the real estate office yesterday. Nova Girls’ songs climbed back up, hitting #10 in Spookyfy real-time charts, and music shows began calling.

Nova Girls had almost no schedule. Someone had to step in—me. I collapsed from exhaustion, and today came.

“Do you know Purmera Phase 1 Apartments near my place? That would be perfect. They have good soundproofing and are comfortable.”

Perfect? Purmera Phase 1, 40-pyeong units, sell for over 2 billion won. Yu-joo wanted to buy that for me. I couldn’t believe it.

But it was too much. I might not digest it. If it were me determinedly pursuing it, fine. But this was mostly thanks to the onion.

“That’s too much. It doesn’t feel proportional to what I did.”

Yu-joo shook her head. Slim face, delicate body, long hair. She looked like she could blow away in the wind, but her eyes said otherwise. I felt she would never yield.

“Currently, you seem to think differently. You’re not just overwhelmed with gratitude, right? That’s partly correct, but…”

“Yes?”

“You say it’s not proportional? Why do you think that? Admit that without you, I would’ve died, right?”

“Yes.”

“Exactly. Probably everyone in the country would agree. Then consider my position. The public will judge how much gratitude I show to the person who saved my life. If it’s below the public’s standard, they’ll say, ‘They don’t appreciate the person who saved their life.’”

“Ah.”

At that moment, I realized. Yu-joo isn’t just pretty and talented. She’s clever, too.

“‘Spring Walk,’ my debut song. Over four years, it earned 5 billion won in royalties. The media revealed it, so the public knows. Should someone making 5 billion on one song give just a car set to their life-saving manager and call it done?”

‘Spring Walk’ is often called the “spring pension.”

“Currently, even if I donate 10 million won to an orphanage, I get criticized. They say, ‘She has so much money, and that’s all she donates.’ Understand? This is proportional reward.”

“…”

Yu-joo’s words were convincing. I had forgotten she’s a top star. Recently, she only donates amounts in the billions. Still, I felt uneasy.

I glanced at the bracelet and muttered inwardly:

“Mr. Yang, is it really okay to accept this? No problem?”

Then she spoke:

“You keep looking at the bracelet… it’s really pretty. You like this design?”

“Eh? Ah…”

“It even has a nice scent.”

I could see it. Yu-joo noticed the bracelet too.

As she said, the scent was emanating. It seemed to signal I should accept her offer. Maybe that’s why she didn’t respond when I asked about real estate.

CEO Lee Jong-mook ignored the bracelet entirely, as always.

I nodded, and the discussion ended smoothly.

“Good. Both images are important, so be careful in the media. We also have the sub-manager issue to discuss here. Got it?”

The CEO began speaking. I remained stunned until the meeting ended.

Afterward, Yu-joo said:

“Did I push too much? You kept refusing, so I had to mention my image… but that wasn’t the main point. I’m really grateful. He keeps appearing in my dreams. I really wanted him as my exclusive manager…”

“That’s—”

“I know. I won’t make unreasonable requests. If you need anything, let me know. I’ll help with anything.”

She bowed and walked down the corridor.

“Anything more needed…”

Just ten days after picking up the onion, my salary jumped from 35 million to 60 million won. That was already good, but…

Thanks to the 1.5 billion won from the onion, I wanted to buy a house, but now a 2-billion-won apartment is on the table.

“Eh? What do you mean?”

Sora swallowed hard at the chicken shop. Her boyfriend Byung-jo said it.

“Aren’t we living here after marriage? Why move to Gyeonggi Province…?”

“What are you saying? Do you know the house prices here?”

Byung-jo’s tone was irritated.

“Why didn’t you say that earlier? I thought our new house would be in Seoul.”

Byung-jo’s annoyance spilled.

“Why talk like that? This is the first time we’re discussing the new house. And do you think buying a house in Gyeonggi is easy? I’m 30. Apartments in Bundang go for around 800 million won. How many people my age can just buy that?”

“Really? Hmm…”

Sora bit her lip. She wanted to hide her disappointment, but her face betrayed her.

Byung-jo is honestly unattractive and short. I chose him over tall, handsome Currently for financial reasons. He’s an ophthalmologist, and his parents run a hospital, so I assumed financial freedom.

“…Honestly, I’m a bit hurt, Sora. Marriage is about both of us, right? I’m planning to buy a house entirely with my money, and you’re disappointed it’s not in Seoul? Isn’t that unfair?”

“…”

“Wow, I didn’t expect this from you.”

Byung-jo started to get angry. I didn’t want to calm him. Behind him, the TV displayed:

< Singer Lim Yu-joo gifts life-saving manager Mr. Yoo a 2-billion-won apartment… >