episode_0034

2004 —

I became an elementary school student.

It’s the beginning of compulsory education. Haa~

“Teacher… Can’t I sit next to Hajin?”

“Why aren’t you coming to the kindergarten? Did you fight with your animal friends?”

“Mom told me to write my name here.”

Children are more honest than anyone else.

When I see something delicious, I want to eat it, when I see something nice, I want to have it, and when I see a pretty person, I want to have them by their side.

I became the most ‘good-looking kid’ in elementary school, following kindergarten.

*

This year was a big event for the film industry.

Director Park Chan-hong’s ‘Old Kid’, which was released last year, won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.

Director Kim Si-woon screamed when he heard this news.

“Director Park is more annoying than me and does the same thing with his own daughter, so why are you only blaming me! All I do is write!”

2006 —

“Thanks to Hajin, Mom is living a comfortable life. She even got to ride first class.”

Mom stretches out her legs and looks around the seats curiously.

They say that the last time they traveled abroad was before I was born, during my prenatal care.

I’m on my way to America to meet Sora for summer vacation.

Thanks to Eugene, a VIP of Daesung Airlines, my mother and I also enjoyed the luxury of flying first class.

“Oh my, Hajin, Yujin… I missed you.”

Sora’s tear ducts burst as she came to pick them up at the airport, creating a scene of a separated family reunion.

Director Han Jae-ryong was filming overseas, so his manager appeared in his stead.

A short bob with a bold cut of the trademark long hair,

As her cheeks became thinner, her feminine features became more prominent.

The sporty shirt and hot pants that gave off a summer vibe were dazzling.

“Oh, Sora, you’ve gotten prettier since you lived in America. This time, I admit it.”

“What about Hajin?”

“Huh?”

“I have to say it’s pretty.”

“You do it every time I call.”

“I want to hear it directly. It’s been 4 years since we last met.”

Eyes full of anticipation.

We can’t ignore this.

“So pretty. Totally a summer fairy.”

“Hehe.”

Since all three of them are so beautiful, I look at them all as I pass by.

Some people asked if I was filming, so I quickly left.

I played around for three weeks without any worries.

Disneyland in Anaheim,

The Grand Canyon in Arizona,

Universal Studios in Los Angeles,

Niagara Falls on the border,

The Statue of Liberty, a landmark of New York,

Times Square, a square in Manhattan,

Miami Beach, Florida,

The Smithsonian Museum in the heart of Washington, D.C.… I just wandered around like crazy.

My mother was discharged from the army in a week and died at Sora’s house, and our taciturn manager flew us all over the United States.

Even we, who received elementary school buffs, had a hard time, so how much harder must it have been for our mothers?

“I guess I won’t be able to come to Korea for a while.”

“You have to go to your mom once a week.”

Sora said with a sad expression.

My mother, who is battling cancer, is recuperating in the South.

“My dad will continue making movies too.”

A director’s Hollywood debut, released two years ago, received good reviews but failed at the box office.

He is currently filming his second film, traveling between Europe and the United States.

“Please take good care of Hajin until I get back.”

Eugene nodded with a stern face.

If anyone heard this, they’d think I was receiving death threats.

2007 —

In January, Steve Jones came out with the MyPhone, saying it would change the world.

It was the beginning of the smartphone revolution.

It was released in the US in June and Sora called it this.

“When will my phone come out in Korea?”

“Galaxy will come out first.”

“Galaxy? What is that?”

“Made by Osung Electronics. Looks similar to my phone.”

“Then, will Hajin buy a Galaxy?”

“Maybe. Galaxy is more convenient to use in Korea.”

“Wow~ If Hajin uses it, I want to use it too.”

“Just use your phone in the US because it’s more convenient. I’ll give it to you as a gift when you come to Korea later.”

If I just buy YJ Entertainment stocks at the right time next year, I will become a building owner.

You can buy a building, but can’t you buy Sora a Galaxy?

2008 —

Last year, the US real estate bubble burst all at once, and this year, Lehman Brothers went bankrupt.

Lehman Brothers is a huge financial group and one of the four major investment banks in the United States.

As a result, stock markets not only in the United States but around the world literally plummeted.

In October, SN Entertainment stock finally fell to the 700 won range.

Now is the time.

“Dad, I want to buy YJ Entertainment stocks. It’s Eugene’s dad’s company.”

I begged him to buy it for me because he promised me five years ago.

Mom and Dad are not people who would break a promise to their children.

Still, given the circumstances, he looks worried.

“Let me ask Representative Oh once.”

Representative Oh was equally surprised.

“Hajin wants to buy our company’s stock?”

“Yes. I’ll tell you to try it out if you put in an appropriate amount, but I’m worried because you said you’d put in all the appearance fees you received in kindergarten.”

“Isn’t the appearance fee quite a lot?”

“Just over 100 million.”

“Oh, I like the big one, but it’s not an amount that an elementary school student can afford.”

“I can’t go back on my promise to invest. Mr. CEO, please talk to Hajin.”

CEO Oh Dong-seok called me.

“I’m really curious, but why are you thinking of buying our company’s stocks? And 100 million won each.”

“When the company was listed, the public offering price was 17,000 won, right?”

“That’s right.”

“In 2006, it went up to 28,000 won.”

“NewLunge’s contract renewal and the boy group launched the year before did well.”

“The stock price was 910 won yesterday. I understand it’s because of the Lehman Brothers incident, but the entertainment stocks are at the bottom. There’s no company among the three major entertainment companies that’s worth over 1,000 won.”

“… … .”

“Representative?”

“Oh, no… I’m a little surprised. What kind of elementary school student is so knowledgeable about economics? Didn’t his dad teach him?”

“My dad doesn’t want me to invest, so will you teach me that?”

“That’s right. Keep talking.”

“This is my opinion. If I buy stocks this time, I won’t sell them until I become an adult. Then, if I hold them for 10 years, if the stock price is 900 won after 10 years, isn’t there a problem with the company?”

“Of course there is a problem. If the stock price stays the same for 10 years, would shareholders just sit still? They should strangle me.”

“That’s why I’m going to invest. The CEO did a good job at the company and raised it to 28,000 won. I think I can raise it more in 10 years.”

“Hahaha, Hajin is really putting a lot of pressure on me. I really have to work hard so that Hajin doesn’t get hurt.”

“So please talk to Dad. I really want to buy stocks in your company.”

They say it goes up to 70 thousand won.

Representative Oh succeeded in pushing 100 million won into YJ Entertainment by talking well with his father.

The reason I’m going to such lengths to buy a building is because of my foresight into the future.

I vividly remember the last time I met my manager.

.

.

.

“So I think I’ll be able to become independent next year because of the kids I’m in charge of now. You should come in next year too.”

“What about receiving investment? I even went around to the office to check it out.”

“The investment will probably be delayed a bit. Maybe by the end of next year?”

“What are you going to do in the meantime?”

“Getting an office, starting a company… there’s a lot to do.”

“Investment has been postponed. How do I get an office?”

“I’ve got some things saved up, and I’m going to take out the house too. Then I think it’ll be okay.”

“Why did you bring it all the way to your house? Are you going to sleep on the street?”

“Just hold on until you get the investment. Don’t worry, there are a lot of goshiwons and one-room apartments where you can just sleep.”

“How can you not worry about that… .”

.

.

.

I don’t think this situation will change even if I return.

My brother, whose dream is to become a planning company, will push through even if the investment goes wrong.

‘I can’t let you sleep on the street.’

Actor No. 1 and the agency building will go together, so wait.

*****

Seorim Arts High School.

It is a private arts high school located in Munjeong-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul.

As a prestigious arts high school that has produced many celebrities, the school operates an entertainment advancement club, so students are more active in entering the entertainment industry than at any other arts high school.

Principal’s Office —

Principal Seo Chang-beom is sitting on a chair and checking the status of new student applications.

On the other side, Vice Principal Na Kyung-man sits.

“This year’s competition rate is… 12:1 for the practical dance department.”

“It seems there are rumors that a lot of idols go there. In fact, aren’t there quite a few kids who debuted while still in school?”

“Except for the fashion model and video production departments, the competition rate is high. I wonder if they think this is some kind of idol training center. ”

“Sometimes it’s called Idol Academy outside. It’s understandable to hear that since they hold entertainment agency auditions and have a separate entertainment promotion department on campus.”

“Are you able to prepare for the practical test without any problems?”

“Yes. The practical exam schedule and location have been announced. The selection of judges has also been completed.”

Seorim High School selects new students based 100% on practical skills.

“What do you think of the original application? Were there any applicants who stood out like Jihoon the year before last?”

It is the school with the most current idols and trainees in the country.

That’s why many child actors and middle school students who are continuing their entertainment careers apply.

Because of its free-spirited academic culture and lax attendance management, this school is also favored by its affiliated companies.

“I looked through the list and two people stood out.”

“I see that two of you caught the teacher’s eye, so I guess this year’s applicants are of a high standard. Who are you?”

“Oh Yu-jin, who applied to the Practical Dance Department, and Byeon Ha-jin, who applied to the Entertainment Department.”