The Chairman Who Wants to Play and Eat

Chapter 44. That money belongs to Sang-yoon.

Every day, sold out shows,

It was a box office sensation no one had predicted.

Unusually, there were articles in Korea too.

[ The American sci-fi blockbuster “Future Killer” is on a roll. Box office number one. ······ When will it come to Korea? ]

Since achieving three million dollars in sales in the first week, the second and third weeks also consistently recorded three million dollars in revenue.

The box office always held the top spot.

It was strange.

Isn’t it typical for things to spike at first and then fade away?

But “Future Killer” was different.

As time went on, the trend didn’t decline at all. At this rate, it seemed like it wouldn’t drop for a month, or even two.

– I know the reason.

It was Cameron Smith, who now called almost daily.

“What is it?”

– What do you think? It’s because of those idiots at Goliath Pictures, who are handling the North American distribution. What other reason could there be?

“Speak clearly. What are you talking about?”

– Listen closely.

His voice was filled with pent-up frustration.

– As you know, our film is classified as a low-budget movie in Hollywood. That means expectations were low from the start. Naturally, we couldn’t even dream of any pre-release promotions. The surprising thing is that even now, those guys have no expectations for this film at all.

They say they’ve asked for promotion several times.

Cameron Smith’s reasoning was that it was about time for that, wasn’t it?

But according to Cameron, those fools believed this popularity was just a temporary phenomenon, and it was clear it would soon fade away.

But wait a minute?

Hearing that, it sounds a bit strange.

“So what you’re saying is, the fact that we’re steadily rising without any external promotion is all because you made a good movie?”

– Of course. Is there any other reason?

I had momentarily forgotten.

Westerners are accustomed to self-promotion. They don’t even see it as a flaw.

It’s a bit different from our culture, which values humility.

Yet, he didn’t skip over my praise either.

– If it weren’t for your extraordinary insight in readily putting up the initial investment of two million dollars, we wouldn’t have even been able to crank in. So I’ll say you have a share in the success too. About half?

I had no words.

I could accept being called a genius. I could accept being called handsome. That was all fine.

I could tolerate everything else, but I simply couldn’t hold back on the claim that my contribution to the success was significant.

Now that I think about it, Manager So Byung-hwa said the same thing.

– Young master, ah, it’s true that Mr. Hyun’s contribution is substantial.

Seohyun Electronics is said to be in a complete festive mood.

Especially the finance department, which I thought would be losing two million dollars because of me, is already going wild as if they’ve hit a bonus jackpot.

As he was delivering the news, he suddenly brought up an unexpected topic.

– By the way, aren’t you coming to the U.S. this winter break?

“Why would I do that?”

I replied.

– Well, is there any other reason? Isn’t semiconductors the hometown of Mr. Hyun’s heart? It would be even better if you could come and make some more money, haha.

I can tell that last remark is sincere, if nothing else.

But I pretended not to notice.

Once is enough.

I won’t repeat such a mistake twice.

“I don’t have any plans to go yet.”

I just said it like this.

– It’s a shame. Everyone was looking forward to it.

“That’s how it turned out.”

– But if you ever decide to come, we will be fully prepared to welcome you. Please feel free to let us know anytime. We will be waiting.

That feels even more burdensome.

“Oh, yes.”

– We will be waiting.

“Oh, yes.”

In the meantime,

The Christmas season approached swiftly.

The day had come for Future Killer to land in Korea.

[ Future Killer release date confirmed. ······ Seoul from December 25, with regional releases to follow! ]

The rumors spread.

Thanks to its tremendous success in America.

In the hearts of the people, Future Killer was already classified as a highly anticipated film. It was at a level that required no promotion.

However, there were those who wouldn’t let this opportunity slip by.

From import agencies to distributors, and even local distributors in various regions, everyone was eager to get their share.

Perhaps that’s why,

“Sir, please take a look at this.”

Assistant Lee Beom-seok entered with several rolled-up poster drafts.

“What is this?”

“Oh, it’s a new poster. There’s a saying, ‘Row the boat when the tide comes in,’ right? I’ve created a new poster instead of the ones we’ve been using.”

“A new poster?”

I felt a bit uneasy.

“Yes, everyone is incredibly excited.”

“I think you can just do anything.”

“That won’t do. It must be decided by you, sir. They say it needs the touch of Midas.”

Oblivious, the assistant spread the posters out on the table. There were three in total.

‘Wow.’

So, this is how it was.

[ Those who stand in my way!! My bullet will respond!! ]

[ A spectacular SF movie that cannot be seen again for the next 2,000 years!! Those who do not watch will surely regret it! ]

[ Starring the mechanical man Arnold Schwarzenegger / Directed by Cameron Smith ]

I thought to myself.

‘What is this?’

Everyone had such brilliant lines.

“Is there nothing else?”

“No.”

I chose one of them, hoping this time my choice would be right.

Or should I say, hoping it would be wrong in this case?

“Indeed, you are a true gentleman. I thought that one looked the best too; how did we end up on the same wavelength?”

The assistant smiled brightly.

I changed the subject.

“By the way, since we’re talking about movies, what about the box office revenue in the U.S.?”

“Yes.”

“That will be counted as sales for Seonghyeon Electronics, right?”

“As far as I know, that seems to be the case. Why do you ask all of a sudden?”

“I was just curious.”

Thank goodness.

Originally, I had intended to cause a reasonable loss to the company and move on. Unintentionally, I ended up bringing in massive profits.

It’s a painful matter.

But it’s in the past now. I can’t stop it anymore with my own strength.

I have no choice but to let it go.

Money, well, someone will manage it well enough.

‘The more money a company has, the happier the shareholders are, while the employees suffer.’

In times like this, is it fortunate that I’m part of the royal family?

After all, aside from the chairman, there’s no one who can force me to work.

This is as far as I go.

I’ve decided to forget.

From now on, as long as my grandfather doesn’t say anything, that will be enough.

*

Meanwhile, at that moment,

“Mr. President.”

“What is it?”

“The Chairman is calling for you. He wants you to come immediately.”

“Really? I’ll head over right away.”

Sung Hyun Electronics’ CEO, Im Doo-won, received yet another summons from the Chairman’s office. It was nearly the end of the workday.

‘He’s calling again.’

It had become a familiar occurrence.

He checked his attire and got into the car heading straight to headquarters.

There was something nagging at him.

Just a few days ago, he had received the financial report from Sung Hyun Electronics’ subsidiary, the local U.S. corporation, Sung Hyun Electronics.

There wasn’t anything particularly significant. Except for one item.

The investment in the movie “Future Killer.”

It had grossed three million dollars in its opening week alone.

Since Sung Hyun had invested nearly half of the production costs, even a simple calculation would suggest that half of that should be our share.

In a month, it would turn profitable.

And then? It would become an unimaginable sum.

There was just one regret.

‘The revenue from the movie accounts for the highest percentage of our sales…’

After all, it’s an electronics company. Not a film production company.

He quickly shifted his mindset.

No matter how the money is earned, it’s still money. That’s the essence of the company.

And it’s not just a few thousand or tens of thousands. It’s in the hundreds of thousands. It might even reach the millions.

That’s more than enough.

Moreover, it’s money made from a sci-fi film. It’s not entirely unrelated. Even if it were, he decided to think of it that way.

Sure enough,

“Hey, President Im. What’s going on? I hear the movie that Sung Hyun Electronics invested in is making big sales?”

As he entered the Chairman’s office, Chairman Hyun Byung-geon threw the question at him without preamble.

“Yes, Chairman.”

“Explain it in detail.”

It was a report I had prepared in my mind several times on the way here.

“Since it’s been less than a month since the release, it may be inaccurate, but based on our predictions, we estimate that the North American revenue alone exceeds ten million dollars. Just this amount is five times the investment.”

And that was the minimum estimate.

The box office performance is not the only metric.

A few years ago, the VHS format had a huge hit. The revenue from the home video market skyrocketed.

What about the rental market?

That means once a movie hits, it rakes in money again in the secondary and tertiary markets.

Is that all?

This calculation only accounts for North America.

The worldwide figures are beyond estimation. You only know once you see it.

Given these circumstances, I could confidently assert that for not just next year but for the next several years, the film *Future Killer* would hold a significant place in the sales ledger of Seonghyeon Electronics.

At those words, the previously tense expression of the current chairman relaxed.

“So, you’re saying it’s all thanks to that guy.”

He opened his mouth.

Though unspoken, both of them knew.

Both President Lim and Chairman Hyun were well aware of who that “guy” referred to.

A moment of silence passed.

“Who do you think that money belongs to?”

Chairman Hyun suddenly asked.

President Lim hesitated for a moment before answering.

Strictly speaking, it was the money the company earned.

Naturally, it was the company’s money and, furthermore, the shareholders’ share.

But having come this far, President Lim wasn’t the type to bring up principles and rules.

Yet, he couldn’t simply say, “It’s yours, Chairman.”

Flattery should be subtle.

Such obvious flattery would rather hinder his career.

Based on years of experience in the company, there was no way to answer Chairman Hyun’s question. He chose instead to remain silent.

After a moment,

“That money belongs to Sang-yoon.”

Chairman Hyun reached a conclusion through self-questioning. President Lim let out a sigh of relief inwardly.

Of course, it didn’t mean to take out the money.

That would be embezzlement.

From noble mtl dot com

It meant to give Hyun Sang-yoon the authority to decide where to invest that money and how to utilize it.

In fact, it was what he had hoped for.

President Lim thought so.

He was already in the same boat as Young Master Hyun Sang-yoon.

Since they had decided to line up, the young master had to lead the way for him to look up.

Being the president of an affiliate was a sufficiently high position, but he had no intention of stopping there. He was still young and ambitious.

Chairman Hyun spoke decisively.

“When investment returns come in, leave everything to Sang-yoon. Ask Sang-yoon and make the decisions. There’s no need to report to me.”

He added after a while.

“Still, do give me a post-report. I’m curious, you know.”

A little later, the cheerful laughter of Chairman Hyun echoed for a long time in the president’s office.

*

Winter break was just around the corner.

The campus was bustling.

“Hey, have you seen the movie that just came out? Something about the future?”

“That scary robot face filling the poster? Is there anyone in Seoul who hasn’t seen that?”

“Don’t just study; enjoy some cultural activities too.”

“Shut up. Did you know that movie was imported by that law student Hyun Sang-yoon?”

“What? That guy again?”

With the buzz about Future Killer, my story was spreading from the law school to the humanities department and back.

It was awkward.

“Just talk about the movie. Don’t drag me into this.”

I cried out inwardly. Of course, it was a meaningless echo.

I had to escape somewhere, it seemed. The only place to go was America.

So I went.

“I want to broaden my horizons in America during this winter break. Please allow me.”

“Of course. I was actually planning to send you to America first if you didn’t bring it up. Thank you for mentioning it first.”

Chairman Hyun readily gave his permission.

But somehow, it felt like he had been waiting for me to speak even before I said anything. Was it just my imagination?

Anyway,

Having arrived in America,

I met Steven Jackson for the first time. There were various matters to discuss, but he had a strong hope.

“I knew you would come, Mr. Hyun.”

He too seemed to have been waiting for me.

“Yes.”

“Next year, the Apple 3 Pro will be released. Your work, Axle, will be included as a mandatory option.”

“Yes.”

He spoke of things I hadn’t even asked about.

Then, suddenly, he changed the subject.

“You’re wealthy in Korea, but soon you’ll be wealthy in America as well. What do you plan to do with all that money?”

To be precise, it’s in Ireland, but still.

“I haven’t thought about it.”

“Really?”

As if I hadn’t thought about it.

That money is money I don’t spend.

If you spend money that no one knows about, it becomes money that everyone knows. Even if I do spend it, it has to be done slowly, little by little, discreetly and carefully.

Ah, there was one amount of money I could spend.

‘What do you mean?’

It was the day I was leaving the country.

I received a sudden call from President Im of Seonghyun Electronics.

Then he said something absurd.

He called to inform me that the management of the investment profits from Future Killer at Seonghyun Electronics would be temporarily entrusted to me, the head of the investment department, during this winter break.

‘What’s the reason?’

‘It’s the Chairman’s directive.’

Somehow, I had sensed that the Chairman was like that,

I had no words to say.

Given the circumstances, I had to spend it, one way or another.

It could be an opportunity.

A chance to rise again without repeating the mistakes of the future killer.

I could lose all the money I’ve earned.

This time, I vowed I would not be wrong.

If you repeat a mistake, it becomes a skill.

I was strolling through the streets of LA, chatting with Jackson about various things.

“Shall we grab a drink?”

“Sounds good.”

It was a café.

“This is my regular spot,” Jackson said, pointing to the sign with a green fox.

“It’s a recently opened place. It’s on a whole different level from your typical cafeteria. They’re serious about their coffee. Just the equipment they’ve bought so far is worth tens of thousands of dollars, starting from the grinder.”

What?

I was taken aback.

Seeing my expression, he smiled triumphantly, clearly pleased to introduce such a great place.

“That’s not all. They’re aggressively expanding throughout downtown LA. There are already more than six locations. They’re going to grow even bigger.”

In that moment, my ears perked up.

‘A café with equipment worth tens of thousands of dollars, and six locations? Plus, they plan to expand further…’

I quickly checked the name.

‘Starfox?’

That’s when it happened.

“George!”

“Steve!”

The owner greeted Jackson warmly. Jackson introduced him to me.

“This is George Howard, the man I told you about who is serious about coffee. Say hello, Mr. Hyun.”

George Howard extended his hand to me.

“Hello, George. This is Hyun Sang-yoon, the man who resembles me the most in the world, coming from Korea. Despite appearances, he’s from a royal family. A rich kid, you know. Oh, of course, when I say he resembles me, I mean in character, not looks. I’m definitely better looking. Haha.”