The Genius Manager Who Sees Algorithms Episode 013
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13. Why is it so fun?
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[‣ God's Plan]
[‣ God's Algorithm is now open.]
[‣ Rank: Master]
My rank had risen from Great Virtue to Master.
‘What kind of ranking system is this?’
I looked it up just in case, and it turned out to be the criteria for classifying the levels of practice for those who studied Buddhism during the Goryeo Dynasty. It was a system where a higher dharma rank was granted the deeper one’s practice went. Naturally, I was able to confirm the meaning of my rank.
‘So, "Master" refers to a high-virtue Zen master….’
The title of Master was given to those of high virtue. I could also naturally grasp why my experience points had increased.
‘It seems it judged helping CEO Kwon Jin-ju through script revisions as a virtuous act.’
It was an unfamiliar ranking system, but something more important lay elsewhere.
[Synchronization Rate: 10%]
My synchronization rate had jumped from 3% all the way to 10%. It meant I could now see one out of every ten algorithms.
‘Jackpot.’
I could now check algorithms more intuitively.
‘Helping others, raising my rank as a result, and seeing algorithms. It’s truly killing three birds with one stone.’
It was a system where I could see algorithms, lead to better results, and gain experience points from that success to acquire even stronger abilities.
‘If I use this well… making my own company in the future isn’t just a dream.’
My heart raced at the mere thought, as if I had already leveled up. However, my excitement didn’t last long. It was because of Team Leader Dokgo’s arrival.
*Bang—*
The face of Team Leader Dokgo, who had roughly pushed open the office door, was filled with a rare smile.
“Team Leader!”
The two seniors called out to Team Leader Dokgo almost simultaneously.
“That’s right. I’m your team leader!”
His triumphant expression made anyone watching feel reassured.
“Is it for real this time? Is Arin really appearing in it?”
“Of course. Plus, we’ve decided to support part of the production costs from our side.”
“The production costs?”
Team Leader Dokgo nodded.
“The CEO was satisfied after reading the script, too. She showed great interest in Arin’s role in particular.”
It seemed she had recognized at a glance that this was an important script for Go Arin. Script selection, casting offers, and even production cost support. The momentum hitting all at once was fierce.
“And one more thing. Do you know what this is?”
Team Leader Dokgo pulled a card out of his wallet and held it out.
“It’s the corporate card the CEO personally bestowed upon us.”
“Really?”
“Wow, jackpot!”
Pi Young-ro and Park Hyung-soo’s eyes widened at the same time.
“That’s right. This is the first time I’ve received such a luxury, aside from when Jimin’s drama hit 15% in viewership ratings.”
It didn’t matter whose card we used for company dinners. On days like today when we had permission, we would just pay with the corporate card anyway. But the fact that the CEO had handed over her own card meant something a little different.
‘It means she acknowledges us that much.’
Moreover, the ratings weren’t out yet, and it hadn’t become a hot topic either. Yet, for her to give the card like this meant….
‘It means she expects us to do even better.’
It was a case of giving the carrot and the stick at the same time. A method that simultaneously bestows passion and motivation upon subordinates. It was high-class leadership.
‘I haven’t met her, but as expected, not just anyone can be a CEO.’
Suddenly, I became curious about what kind of person she was. Well, I’d meet her eventually.
“Oh, Jung-woo, you contact Arin right away.”
“Should I call Arin, too?”
“Of course. It’s her first project in a whole year; we should celebrate together.”
I called Go Arin immediately. She said she would get ready and come out as quickly as possible because of the happy news.
“Alright, let’s wrap this up quickly. If anyone wants to do more work, feel free to stay.”
“As if. I’ve already turned off my computer.”
Laughter erupted in the office because of Pi Young-ro, who was mimicking the sound of Windows shutting down with his mouth. But how could he make the sound so accurately? That was a talent, too.
* * *
We finished our work and left the office. It was the most lighthearted moment walking through the lobby since I joined the company.
But just then, we heard someone calling us.
“The mood is good. Must be some good news?”
It was Team Leader 1. His gaze, looking around while he kept his hands in his pants pockets, was not friendly. At the appearance of the uninvited guest, a look of displeasure surfaced on Team Leader Dokgo’s face.
“Did you just get back from an outside meeting?”
“Yeah. Song-hee took on a project instead of Arin, you know. I was just checking on that.”
Judging by his expression, he had come to rub salt in the wound again. But
“That’s great. Please tell Song-hee to do her best.”
It was Team Leader 1 who was actually flustered by Team Leader Dokgo’s cool reaction.
“Huh? Ah, yeah.”
He had an expression that said, "This isn't how it's supposed to go." Well, an attack is most frustrating when the opponent doesn't take any damage. It must have felt like being countered.
“Our Arin is going to be in something else, so she couldn’t do that anyway.”
Team Leader Dokgo intentionally cast the bait. Then, the crucian carp—no, Team Leader 1—bit the hook immediately.
“Something else? What else?”
“CEO Kwon’s project.”
As soon as he heard it, a sneer appeared on Team Leader 1’s face.
“Ah, that? They begged and pleaded for our Song-hee to appear just once, and she ended up going there? Are they that short on actors?”
His tone and gaze were clearly condescending. However, a brighter smile than that appeared on Team Leader Dokgo’s face.
“You did well to decline. It’s such a multi-dimensional character that it would have been a bit tough for Song-hee.”
Team Leader Dokgo’s sarcastic retort was top-tier. But Team Leader 1, who countered, was no pushover either.
“Well, Arin was so good at acting that she spent a whole year playing around. But that was a problem the company should have solved in the first place.”
He said "the company," but the nuance was that it was ultimately the team leader’s lack of ability. His skill at being snide was high-level.
They were smiling on the outside, but sharp blades were flying back and forth in their conversation. And Team Leader Dokgo quietly prepared the final blow.
“That’s why we’re going to solve it this time. The script happened to be killer.”
“The script… is killer?”
Team Leader 1’s expression showed he didn’t understand. It was a natural reaction from someone who had only seen the previous version.
“Anyway, our CEO gave us her card, so we’re going out for a team dinner. If you’re not busy, would you like to join us?”
“…….”
At the mention that the CEO had given her card, Team Leader 1’s eyes narrowed again. It seemed his head was getting complicated because of the information he was hearing for the first time.
“Sorry, but I’m not free enough to crash another team’s dinner.”
Team Leader Dokgo didn’t miss the gap and pressed on.
“Oh, come on, we’re all one family. We should share the happy moments. Don’t you think so?”
“…I’m a bit busy right now. Let’s have a drink later.”
Team Leader 1 smiled and walked away quickly. However, I couldn’t forget the look on Team Leader 1’s face as he stiffened just before turning away.
He didn’t show it, but he looked quite wounded. Moreover, he looked like he was dying of curiosity as to why the CEO had given the card.
‘Our team leader is one step, no, several steps ahead.’
A decision victory for now. But he’d probably feel even more bitter once he confirmed the results of the script.
‘By the way, why is Team Leader 1 so desperate to tear our team leader down?’
It was a story between the two that I didn’t know yet. However, the interpersonal relationships of superiors were important information that a subordinate had to keep track of.
* * *
A pleasant dinner atmosphere. The drinking party started at a tripe restaurant and continued to a pub. The second round was even more harmonious with Go Arin’s attendance.
“Eat up. It doesn’t look like we’ll be finishing early.”
I handed her the hangover drink I had prepared in advance. Of course, I had already opened the cap, too.
“Thank you.”
She looked like she hadn’t even finished drying her hair, as if she had come in a hurry. Naturally, there wasn’t a trace of makeup on her face.
But I found this look even more attractive. Should I say it was somewhat mysterious? They say if there isn't a single blemish on a face, it's a ghost. That’s how clear her skin was.
“Arin, you’ve had a hard time, too. Show them properly this time and blow away that trashy image all at once.”
“You’ve given me a big opportunity, so I have to work hard.”
“Get the filming schedule from Jung-woo. Since the script is ready, we’re starting filming this weekend. Time is tight.”
“Oh, by the way, who is playing the lead?”
“I'm locked in Jimin. Uh, don’t misunderstand. It’s not a forced insertion; it’s a legitimate individual casting. From the start, the script revision this time was focused more on your role, Arin.”
Since it was a neighborhood with a lot of gossip, Team Leader Dokgo seemed to be careful. Fortunately, Go Arin didn’t seem to care much.
“Don’t worry. Honestly, I should be grateful even if it were a forced insertion. I can do anything now. No, I will do anything. Just tell me what to do.”
Her sharp eyes seemed to show Go Arin’s resolve. She felt more solid and more grown than she had a few days ago. She was someone who wouldn’t lose to anyone when it came to ambition for work.
Team Leader Dokgo, who had been watching quietly, patted my shoulder.
“That’s right. This is all thanks to our new recruit. Jung-woo, you played a big role in this.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Man. Too much humility doesn’t look good. Honestly, you were the only one holding onto a script everyone else had given up on.”
As he continued, he naturally poured a drink.
“The start is good. The General Manager looks at it favorably, too. Let’s keep doing it like this in the future.”
“Yes, I will work hard.”
“Good. Alright, let’s have another drink. Let’s drink until we drop today.”
When Team Leader Dokgo raised his glass, the others followed suit.
“How much have we been pushed around until now? Kicked here, kicked there. Let’s take this opportunity to flip it all over.”
“Then is the toast, ‘Flip it over’?”
“People might think we’re plotting a coup if they hear us!”
Laughter bloomed at Pi Young-ro’s wit as he pretended to check his surroundings.
“Hey, hey. What does it matter if it’s a coup or treason? Let’s take this opportunity to flip the company and the entertainment industry upside down. Okay?”
“Yes!”
“Alright, let’s flip it over!”
“Flip it over!”
We shouted the energetic toast and tilted our beer glasses. The feeling of the beer going down, stinging yet refreshing.
*Ah.*
The alcohol tastes great today.
* * *
Team Leader 1, who had returned to the office in a hurry, shouted to his team members.
"What’s going on with Actor Team 2? Why are they so worked up?"
"What was it... Ah, I heard they decided to do that *Academy Romance* project. They said Yang Jimin is the lead, and they put Go Arin in as the villain."
"What? They even brought in Yang Jimin?"
It made no sense to put the team's ace into that script. It was like putting a starting ace into a minor league game.
"I heard that CEO Kwon revised the script, and it turned out really well."
"Revised? Give me a break. The more you mess with a script, the worse it gets. It’s like trying to revive a dead man."
"Do you want to take a look? I asked Pi Young-ro for a copy earlier."
"……."
Still, he felt he wouldn't be satisfied until he checked it himself. Team Leader Dokgo snatched the script from his team member and began reading it on the spot.
But...
'What is this? Why is it so good?'
Once the characters came to life, the overall immersion changed completely. It didn't even feel like the same script. At the same time, he felt it intuitively.
'This is going to be a hit...'
It was a conclusion he reached in less than an hour of reading. It was too good a role to just hand over to Actor Team 2 like this.
"Hey, hey! Call CEO Kwon right now. No, wait."
Team Leader Dokgo, feeling that even waiting was a waste of time, hurriedly dialed the phone. Of course, it would be difficult to overturn a decision that the CEO had already approved. Still, there was always a crack to be found.
-Hello?
Fortunately, CEO Kwon answered after only a few rings.
"Oh, CEO Kwon, it’s me. No, let’s finish the conversation we were having the other day. Yeah. That *Academy Romance* thing. Now that I think about it, I think it would suit our Song-hee really well. How about it? You wanted her too, right? Uh-huh. I know about the casting. But putting Yang Jimin aside, Go Arin’s image is a bit... I’ll talk to the CEO for you, so... What...? You’re going with Go Arin regardless?"
Unlike a few days ago, CEO Kwon’s reaction had changed.
"Look here, CEO Kwon. You’re making me feel a bit hurt. If you had a script like this, you should have told me first. Huh? No, I was busy back then."
He hadn't realized that avoiding it back then would come back to haunt him like this. But the answer that followed was even more shocking.
"Uh. Who helped you with the revisions? Kim Jung-woo? Kim Jung-woo, who on earth is that? Uh. A rookie on Actor Team 2?"
At that moment, the face of one person surfaced in Team Leader Dokgo’s mind. He recalled the sight of him greeting him with a plain expression.
'Don't tell me... that rookie?'
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