The Genius Manager Who Sees Algorithms – Ch. 23

The Genius Manager Who Sees Algorithms

Episode 023

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23. An Opportunity Not to Be Missed

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[‣ God's Plan]

[‣ Link of Fate has been activated.]

[‣ Potential value increases when interacting with a link of the same color.]

Unlike before, the guidance voice was clear.

In an instant, my mind raced, and thanks to that, what I needed to do became obvious.

"Excuse me!"

I shouted urgently and ran toward him.

However, by a split second, the elevator was already descending.

Even if I ran down the stairs right now, there was no way to catch him.

'It was definitely a red aura….'

And it was the same color as the script.

If the algorithm's guidance was correct, it meant that combining the two would increase their potential value.

Thanks to the rank increase, a completely new way of utilizing my ability had become possible.

"Do you happen to know him?"

Go Arin asked as I stood there lost in thought.

"Oh, no. Sorry. Let's head into the office first. We're going to be late."

I calmed my excitement and started walking.

Of course, I had firmly etched the room number of the office the man had been struggling with into my memory.

Room 909. Room 909. Room 909.

A number I must never forget.

Repeating it to myself over and over, I entered the production office.

"Welcome. Ms. Go Arin. Wow, you're even prettier in person."

CEO Kwon Jin-ju, who had arrived early, greeted us.

"It's been a while for you too, Manager."

"Hello. Have you been well?"

"I've been doing great. Come to think of it, I didn't even get to greet you properly last time. It was all thanks to you that we were able to do this project."

"Not at all. The revised script was already so polished."

"You were the one who pointed out those key points, Manager. I was truly grateful."

CEO Kwon bowed politely.

Seeing that, I quickly bowed my head as well.

"You here?"

I turned at the familiar voice to see Team Leader Dokgo.

"You didn't mention you were coming today?"

"And leave a total rookie to handle the entire script reading alone? I'm not that bold."

He said that, but he clearly trusted me.

He must have come in person to ensure that I, a rookie, and Go Arin wouldn't feel intimidated.

"Alright, let's go say hello to the director first."

Like a tourist following a guide, I followed the team leader into the office.

Director Oh Hyung-min, was it?

Since Team Leader Dokgo had handled the previous small-scale reading himself, this was my first time meeting him.

The glass door opened, and I saw a man wearing a baseball cap, intently studying the script.

He looked to be in his early forties.

"Hello, Director. We've been seeing each other so often, I think I'm starting to get attached."

Team Leader Dokgo approached with a good-natured smile.

Wow, our team leader. I didn't know he could smile like that.

"This is Kim Jung-woo, Arin's manager. Please take good care of her."

"I see. Nice to meet you. I'm Oh Hyung-min."

Oh Hyung-min reached out his hand to greet me first.

"I'm Kim Jung-woo. It's a pleasure to work with you."

"My, you're quite tall. Let's do great work together."

He had a good impression, and the fact that he used honorifics even with a rookie manager was a good sign.

"Hello, Director."

Go Arin, who was already acquainted with him, greeted him naturally.

"My, Arin, you get prettier every time I see you. How could all those other directors fail to capture even half of this beauty?"

It wasn't just empty flattery; it was genuine regret.

"Oh, while we're on the subject, let's do a test shoot for Arin."

"A test shoot?"

"I need to check Arin's face shape and check the tones. Every actor has different tones that suit them, so I'm going to shoot indoors, outdoors, at night, and during the day to send to the post-production team. That's how we'll find the color that suits Arin best. I'm different from other directors. I'm going to capture Arin's face properly this time."

The post-production team's capabilities had become crucial lately, and Director Oh's checks were meticulous.

Even though it was a web drama, his refusal to cut corners gave me a certain level of trust.

"Then, I'll be back in a moment."

"Sure, call me if you need anything."

I stepped out of the office naturally while Go Arin was doing her test shoot.

Just as I needed to find the color that suited Go Arin, there was a color I absolutely had to find.

The very color that had appeared above the head of that large man.

'What I saw was definitely red.'

A red aura flickering like a flame.

But ironically, the options were just question marks.

'I suppose I'll only know the contents once the two are combined?'

In the end, the color signified a combination of subjects.

It was the result that would be obtained when the script and that man met.

Moreover, according to the guidance, the potential value could rise even further depending on their interaction.

'It means the value of the script can change.'

If so, I had to find out what kind of person that man was.

In front of Room 909.

I saw a sign that read <Young Productions>.

Wondering if anyone was inside, I pressed the bell... but there was no response even after a long time.

Has no one come yet? Or was it an empty office to begin with?

"What are you doing?"

Just then, CEO Kwon Jin-ju, who had been to the restroom, approached.

"It was a bit noisy in front of here earlier. I was just curious what kind of place this was."

"This building is full of production companies and directing offices. And this place is... oh dear..."

As soon as she saw the sign, CEO Kwon's expression turned sympathetic.

"The CEO of this company went off the grid a while ago. Independent films and art films don't make money easily to begin with... so Director Jung, who was in the middle of preparing a project, was left high and dry. I heard he couldn't even pay the staff's wages."

The man's sensitive reaction finally made sense.

His project had fallen through, and he hadn't even been paid properly, so it was understandable.

By the way, his surname was Jung. Fortunately, it seemed CEO Kwon knew him.

"Honestly, if this project had fallen through, we would have been in the same boat. That's why I'm even more grateful to you, Manager."

Seeing her sigh, it seemed she didn't view it as someone else's problem.

Then again, I wondered how many production companies in this industry had enough budget.

"By any chance, CEO, would you happen to have Director Jung's contact information?"

"He's famous in the independent film scene, so it shouldn't be hard. Would you like me to find it for you?"

"Yes. I know you're busy, but I'd appreciate it."

Fortunately, CEO Kwon fulfilled my request without asking unnecessary questions.

Right. This is why one should live a kind life.

"Here it is."

As soon as I returned to the office, CEO Kwon handed me a note.

The small memo had a name and a contact number written on it.

"Director Jung Jae-hoon, huh..."

After a quick search, as CEO Kwon had said, he was a director who mainly shot independent films.

He had shot numerous works on the themes of the lives of rural elderly people, aging, and memories.

He had also worked on a few documentaries.

'He doesn't have any award-winning works, but his artistic quality is decent.'

But then, an article caught my eye.

It was reported exactly two years ago in the summer.

[Director Jung Jae-hoon's 'Silver Sunset' officially invited to the LA International Short Film Festival]

'The LA International Short Film Festival, really?'

An international short film festival where over 300 films are screened and ten thousand spectators participate every year. Moreover, the winners in major categories receive certification from the Academy Awards and simultaneously gain the qualification to become candidates for the Oscars; it is a prestigious film festival.

At this point, I could be certain about the red aura.

'...His talent is definitely the real deal.'

Although he failed to win an award, he was a director who had received meaningful evaluation.

However, in Korea, because there was little interest in independent films, he wasn't receiving any attention at all.

I tried calling him several times, thinking I should meet him in person.

But Director Jung didn't pick up even once.

'He's avoiding me intentionally.'

An understandable escape in a situation where a project he had prepared with ambition had fallen through.

It was frustrating, but now was the time to wait.

'Right, no need to rush. If we're meant to be, we're bound to meet.'

* * *

The script reading site.

The male and female leads, supporting actors, the director, and the writer, CEO Kwon Jin-ju, had all gathered.

Even so, the scale didn't exceed 10 people.

Since it was a web drama, the size was definitely small.

"Are they filming this right now?"

Go Arin looked at the camera placed in front of her with fascination.

"Yes, the PJ PR team said they would even make a making-of film. Team Leader Dokgo, please take good care of us."

"Oh, we're the ones who should be asking for your favor. Let's all work hard together and create results that everyone can be satisfied with."

At Team Leader Dokgo's natural encouragement, people responded with applause.

A little later, the reading began with the director's explanation of the direction he envisioned for the project.

"I could get expelled. And you're still not going to give up?"

"Of course. I told you I bet my life on you. So don't ignore anything—not my words, not my emotions, not even my interest."

Go Arin's lines showed the character in an extreme way.

She was so immersed that it was hard to believe it was just a script reading.

Of course, the other actors were the same.

People who had gathered for their own desperate reasons.

Perhaps because of that, it was serious, yet the atmosphere was good.

"Good. Let's stop here."

A script reading that lasted a total of two hours.

To me, it felt like only thirty minutes had passed.

Even I, watching silently, lost track of time.

That was how we checked all the important scenes, and the full reading came to an end.

"The feeling is good. The chemistry between the actors is also decent."

"You know that our Arin is the most important among them, right?"

"But I don't think we need to worry about Arin. As expected, her acting skills are no joke."

Both the writer and the director praised Go Arin as if they were satisfied.

That's right, she's our girl.

My shoulders naturally rose with pride at the praise for my girl.

It was the result of the effort I put into analyzing the script while losing sleep.

"Manager. Did I do well?"

In the midst of that, she smiled at me on the sly.

She looked full of confidence.

Right, that's it.

* * *

After the script reading, we filmed an interview for the making-of film.

After that, I stopped by the PR team to choose photos to upload to social media tomorrow, and by the time I dropped Go Arin off at home, it was already past 11 o'clock.

It feels like someone stole my time; the day is passing by so quickly.

Still, the only happiness I had was knowing I didn't have a morning schedule tomorrow, so I could sleep in.

"Kim Jung-woo!"

I was just passing through the lobby with weary steps when I heard a voice calling me.

It was Sungho, who was on his way home from work.

Has it been almost a month since I last saw him?

"Wow, look at those dark circles, bloodshot eyes, and messy hair. Now you finally look like a manager."

Sungho scanned me in one go and asked.

Unfortunately, I couldn't deny a single word of it; that was my current state.

"I thought we’d see each other more often since we work at the same company, but it feels like we see each other even less, doesn't it?"

"Hey, that’s a good thing. It means you have work and you’re growing."

"Ugh, you sound like a real boomer boss. Don't your team members complain?"

"Believe it or not, I’m known as the angel senior. Don't you remember back in college?"

Come to think of it, he was right.

Among the seniors who used to enforce toxic discipline, Sungho was one of the few angels.

That’s why I still keep in touch with him even after graduation.

"Oh, speaking of which, are you free on the 18th of next month?"

"Next month?"

I checked my scheduler; it was a Saturday three weeks from now.

Go Arin’s filming would be finished by then, and I didn't have any appointments set yet.

"I’m free, but why? Do you want to grab a drink?"

"That goes without saying. But there’s going to be a larger group this time."

"Who else is coming?"

"I suggested we get the club seniors and juniors together for a change."

If he meant the film club we were in during college, I knew most of the people, but that didn't mean everyone there was someone I was happy to see.

"Forget it. I’ll pass."

"Hey, you should show your face once in a while. In this industry, everything comes down to connections."

"I’m fine, Senior."

"You stubborn brat. Don't be like that, just come. I’ve even specially invited a senior this time."

"A senior? Who?"

"Don't you know Senior Jung Jae-hoon?"

I doubted my ears for a moment.

"…Who did you say?"

"Ah, maybe you don't know him? Senior Jung Jae-hoon. He’s three years ahead of me, but..."

Even hearing it again, it was definitely Jung Jae-hoon.

"That senior is quite something in the independent film scene..."

I’m sorry, but I couldn't hear the rest of what Sungho was saying.

The impact of what he’d said before was just too great.

'To think I’d meet him like this?'

It seemed we were truly linked by fate.

"Jung-woo, work is important, but in the end, people are all you have, right? So..."

"I’ll go."

"You brat, let a person finish their—huh? What did you just say?"

"I said I’ll go."

Sungho looked at me, seemingly surprised by my answer.

"Really?"

"Yeah. I’m going. Where’s the place?"

"Uh… we decided to meet in Yeonnam-dong. I’m supposed to handle the reservation… But, are you serious? Are you really coming?"

"Do you think I’m a liar? I’ll be there. Let’s take this chance to see everyone."

Upon hearing my confirmation, Sungho’s expression brightened.

"Right. That’s the spirit. Good. No backing out, okay?"

As if I would ever back out.

The owner of the red energy that the algorithm pointed out.

A chance to meet that person naturally had just fallen into my lap.

'If Jung Jae-hoon is going to be there, I’d go even if it were hell.'

It was an opportunity I absolutely could not miss.