Chapter 783: Determination of Public Offering Price

"The final price is thirty five thousand won! That's five thousand more than our maximum target!"

Hoop Entertainment had initially hoped for a public offering price between twenty thousand and thirty thousand won. This was what was typically called the 'price band,' and institutional investors who participated in the demand forecasting process placed their bids based on it.

But when submitting their bids, they weren't required to stay within that band. For popular stocks, fierce competition could drive bids higher than the company's suggested maximum. And in those cases, the final offering price could exceed the original target.

It made sense that desirable products naturally sold at higher prices. Stocks from a booming company were no different.

'

We did it

!'

The past month of effort to maintain momentum had paid off. With results like this from the demand forecast, there was a good chance that on the official listing ten days later, the stock might hit its upper limit from the start.

At that moment, a loud exclamation erupted.

"

Aaaaaah

!" Do Ran-Hee, who had been clasping her hands tightly, let out a shriek like a pterodactyl and began hopping in place.

"Oh, Lord!" Lee Yung-Jin clasped his hands and stretched both arms toward the ceiling, declaring he had been saved despite having never believed in any god before.

At the same time, the other talent agents of Division Jung in the meeting room burst into cheers of joy. In the case of Division Jung, they had gathered as many employee stock options as possible, meaning they now stood to earn anywhere from fifty million to one hundred million won.

"Wow, seriously. I'm so glad I listened to Mr. Jung."

"I knew this would happen. We can always count on Mr. Jung!"

"Mr. Jung, thank you!!"

"

Ugh

, I should've gone all-in like Yung-Jin and Ran-Hee!"

"Everyone said to go all-in on Jung Yoon-Ho Coin...

Ah

, seriously... I should've sold my house or something to invest more."

"Should I have taken out a loan?"

The ones who had been cheering now looked enviously at Lee Yung-Jin and Do Ran-Hee for their all-in strategy, their excitement still overflowing.

However, there was still one more opportunity. With the offering price set like this, there was a strong chance the stock price would skyrocket on the first day of official trading unless some unforeseen issue arose. It was what the stock market called a 'ddasang.'

'Ddasang' referred to a phenomenon where the initial price on listing day was set at double the offering price and then hit the 30% daily upper limit. In other words, since Hoop Entertainment's offering price was thirty five thousand won, a ddasang would push it up to ninety one thousand won. And if that happened, the talent agents could make several times more than what they had just earned.

'

But... I should probably stop them

.'

If people were already this hyped over a thirty five thousand-won offering, they would probably faint if the stock hit a ddasang on April 1, the day of the official listing.

Just as I was about to tell them to calm down because this wasn't the end, Team Lead Park In-Ki smiled and stopped me. "Let them enjoy the moment. It's not every day you make this kind of money in office life, right?

Hahaha

. Even I might go home tonight with my chest puffed out."

'

Fair enough. Before my regression, even a million-won bonus would've had me floating on air.

'

"

Oh

, and... I really am thankful to you."

Park In-Ki was my sunbae by far. After my regression, he had once joined hands with Kim Dong-Soo out of jealousy when I started to rise. Then, when things didn't go his way, he had considered quitting Hoop Entertainment. Yet I had reached out to him, persuaded him, and brought him along. Now, he has become one of the most dependable pillars of Division Jung.

"No, Mr. Park. It's thanks to you being the first to join Division Jung that I could move forward confidently. You've been through a lot and you deserve every bit of this reward. And you know this isn't the end, right?"

Having earned fifty million won, Park In-Ki was beaming. "Of course. I know this is just the beginning."

"Yes. I guess I'll have to create a few more strokes of good fortune before the listing and gift everyone a ddasang."

Now that the offering price had exceeded the price band, the next goal was clear: ddasang. I had to make sure everyone who had stuck with me through the tough times leading up to Division Jung could smile once more.

However, the cheers didn't die down but they only grew louder as time went on.

"But... shouldn't we actually stop them now?" I pointed at Lee Yung-Jin who was holding a ritual with Do Ran-Hee, arms still stretched toward the ceiling.

Park In-Ki gave an awkward nod. "Y-Yeah, you're right."

He cleared his throat and called out to Lee Yung-Jin, "Yung-Jin! Why are you praying to a god you don't even believe in? Your god of wealth is standing right here!"

Lee Yung-Jin had gone all in and secured a hundred million won. And his girlfriend, Do Ran-Hee, had also gone all in and earned the same amount. Together, they had made two hundred million won.

After hearing Park In-Ki's words, the two of them slowly lowered their hands and then rushed toward me like zealots, hands stretched forward, their greasy unwashed hair flopping from the night before. "Mr. Jung~"

I darted in the opposite direction, trying to avoid their wild-eyed charge. But on the other side, Team Lead Yeon So-Hee, Team Lead Baek Hee-Yung, Assistant Manager Lee Mi-Ri, and Chae Sang-Woo came running at me with open arms.

Wham.

Before I knew it, I was buried in a mass of Division Jung staff. Do Ran-Hee and Lee Yung-Jin eventually made it through the crowd, grabbed my hands, and began to chant.

"Ddasang~ Grant us a ddasang~"

"Please let us buy an apartment in Gangnam~"

Like I was some god of wealth whose touch produced cash, they clung to me without letting go.

They squeezed me so tight I could barely breathe, so I gasped out a reply. "Ddasang! I'll work my ass off to make ddasang happen on listing day, okay? So just let go! I can't breathe~~"

Just then, the meeting room door flew open and a group burst in shouting.

Bang.

"What? You're making a ddasang happen?"

"

Hahaha

! Is that a ddasang announcement?"

"Chief Jung~ I freakin' love you~"

This time it was Chief Gu Sung-Cheol, Team Lead Oh Duk-Gu, Team Lead Ju Yung-Hoon, and the other talent agents from the Actor Division 2, charging in all at once. It was nice how warm everyone was, but honestly, they were a bit too warm. In the end, I gave up resisting and let myself be embraced by all their arms.

There was a whirlwind of energy in the room—the scent of unwashed hair from Do Ran-Hee and Lee Yung-Jin, layers of perfume, cigarettes, and coffee all mingling in the air. But somehow, rather than being unpleasant, it made me grin.

Unlike before the regression, it wasn't just me succeeding anymore. We were all sharing it together.

'

Yeah. Let's all make it

.'

I looked at the ones embracing me and steeled my resolve once more. Together with them, I would make Hoop Entertainment the best company in Korea.

***

Right after the Division Jung meeting ended, a team lead-level meeting was held.

With the offering price surpassing expectations, everyone except the Actor Division 3 team—who hadn't bought any stock—was in high spirits. Even those from the former Gwanwoo Entertainment were grinning having purchased some employee shares themselves.

President Kang Gam-Chan calmed the room and reminded everyone to fulfill their duties as talent agents. No matter how much we gained from employee stocks, we were still talent agents, he said.

I agreed with Kang Gam-Chan and checked today's schedule for Yoo-Jin's shoot. If episode 21 of

Hwaranjeon

airing today could break 35% in viewership ratings, the chances of a ddasang on the listing day in ten days would skyrocket.

-Move like a talent agent should!

With that directive from Kang Gam-Chan, the meeting concluded. And I left with Lee Yung-Jin for the

Hwaranjeon

set in Gyeongju. I had to negotiate with PD Oh Bok-Hee regarding the filming schedule for Yoo-Jin's first movie coming up soon.

A few hours later, we arrived at the

Hwaranjeon

set in Gyeongju.

"Mr. Jung, we're here," Lee Yung-Jin said.

"Give me a minute."

I asked Lee Yung-Jin to wait and checked the economic news feed for any updates on Hoop Entertainment.

[Hoop Entertainment Exceeds Target: Final Public Offering Set at Thirty Five Thousand Won!]

[Hoop Entertainment Emerges as a Kosdaq Breakout Star]

[Hoop Entertainment Subscription Open from March 29–30, Listing on April 1]

[Hoop Entertainment Demand Forecast Competition Rate: 2,123 to 1]

[Poised to Become No. 2 Entertainment Stock on Listing Day, Just Behind TK Entertainment?]

Just reading the headlines made the corners of my mouth twitch. What lifted my spirits even more was being back on set after a long time. FD staff bustled around the broadcast vans parked in the lot and crew members dashed past, busy preparing for today's massive battle scene. Even the crunch of gravel underfoot sounded beautiful.

At that moment, I received a Kk Talk message.

Ding!

[Devoted (People Who Love Jung Yoon-Ho)]

Group chat members: (Me – Jung Yoon-Ho), Jung Yoo-Jin (Lovely♡Yoo-Jin), Jung Miso (Miso Angel❤), Lee Tae-Poong, Kang Ha-Na, Haru, Kim Sae-Ri, Yoo Eun-Ah, Woo Yeon-Hee, Yang Eun-Bi, Park Sang-Gyu, Choi Duk-Bae.

(Chat)

[Miso Angel❤: Uncle Yoon-Ho! Are you in Gyeongju to see Mom?]

I replied to Miso's message right away.

[Jung Yoon-Ho: Yeah. I came to check in on Yoo-Jin's shoot and maybe talk to the PD about adjusting the schedule. The PD really~ really~ loves Yoo-Jin.]

[Miso Angel❤: I see~ But I have a script reading tomorrow afternoon~ Aren't you coming for that? (curious) (tilts head)]

[Jung Yoon-Ho: Of course I am~ If Miso's doing a reading, I wouldn't miss it.]

Miso, who was currently filming the movie

Missing – The Lost Ones

, would be starting her work on the KBC drama

Haze

in earnest from tomorrow afternoon. If I finish the film meeting with Yoo-Jin at LT Entertainment in the morning, I should be able to make it in time for her reading.

[Miso Angel❤: Yay!! (roar), (butt dance), (shoulder shake), (tour bus dance), (wink), (love you), (heart)]

Miso used every emoji she could to express her joy. Then the rest of the Devoted started chiming in.

[Lee Tae-Poong: Congrats, Miso~ Also, Yoon-Ho hyung. I saw an article about exceeding the offering price. It's going to be crazy trying to buy stock on listing day, huh?]

[Sae-Ri: Yoon-Ho oppa. On April 1, can I just go to the company with cash?]

[Yang Eun-Bi: -_-; Sae-Ri, that's not how it works.]

[Sae-Ri: Then how do you buy stock?]

[Yang Eun-Bi: Just bring your parents and ask them to do it for you. You're a minor, so you can't buy any yourself.]

[Sae-Ri: Ugh. I want to be an adult already. Then I could handle all this on my own!]

[Yang Eun-Bi: -_-;; Honestly, I think this is the best time... Just keep focusing on your singing, Sae-Ri. (stern)(serious)]

[Sae-Ri: Yeah, true. That's easier for me anyway! (quick acceptance)(nod)]

[Park Sang-Gyu: No matter what the price is, I'll buy it. Don't worry.]

[Kang Ha-Na: I'm just going to buy without thinking~ (heart)]

Since Yoo-Jin had been hired as an assistant manager level from the beginning by Kang Gam-Chan, she had been allotted some employee stock. Yet the other celebrities hadn't, so they would have to buy shares through the public offering on the first day of listing. This made the higher offering price a bit of a burden, but not a single one of them said they wouldn't buy.

[Jung Yoon-Ho: Thank you, everyone. (bow)]

Just as I sent a bow emoji, Miso messaged again.

[Miso Angel❤: Uncle Yoon-Ho, I want to buy some too.]

[Jung Yoon-Ho: Huh? Buy what?]

[Miso Angel❤: Stock!]

[Jung Yoon-Ho: Miso... Do you even know what stock is?]

[Miso Angel❤: Yup! It's a money tree! If you plant it well and wait like twenty years, you can buy an apartment and get everything you want. That's what Mom said. And she said you'd grow my money tree for me, right Uncle Yoon-Ho? Right? (proud)(aren't I smart?) (kyah>.<)]

'

A money tree? An apartment?

'

I never imagined Yoo-Jin would build Miso's future with Hoop Entertainment stock. In the past, when a daughter was born, people planted a paulownia tree to use as part of her dowry. I didn't think Yoo-Jin would do something like that with stock.

The moment I heard someone call Hoop Entertainment shares Miso's "money tree," the weight of it hit me differently. I was the one expected to grow that tree.

Right then, more messages came flooding in.

[Woo Yeon-Hee: Heh. If Miso's bank account is riding on this, Yoon-Ho oppa must be ready to stake his life on the listing. I'm going all-in too~]

[Yang Eun-Bi: Yeah, Yoon-Ho oppa totally loses it when it comes to Miso. I'm going all-in too~]

[Sae-Ri: I want to buy a money tree too! (determined) (salute) (take my money)]

[Yang Eun-Bi: Sae-Ri, did you tell your mom you want to buy stock?]

[Sae-Ri: My mom? She said to do whatever Yoon-Ho oppa says! She told me not to think! (power confident)]

[Yang Eun-Bi: -_- Your mom is remarkably wise...]

[Sae-Ri: Yep! My mom is super wise... Wait, unnie, you're making fun of me, aren't you? (offended)]

[Yang Eun-Bi: No~ Not at all! Why would I tease you~? (ultimate denial) (not teasing x not teasing)]

I quickly stepped in to calm the kids down.

[Jung Yoon-Ho: Okay, okay. I get it. Everyone calm down. I'll handle everything on listing day. And Sae-Ri, tell one of your parents to come up for you.]

Once I got them settled, I got out of the car with Lee Yung-Jin and headed toward the set. Out front, a swarm of reporters had already gathered.

"Hey! It's Chief Jung! Get him!"

"Grab him!"

Dozens of reporters came rushing over, ready to pelt me with questions.

"Chief Jung! Can we get a quick interview?"

"We just saw the news about the Hoop stock offering! What do you think?"

"Chief Jung! Got any updates on Jung Yoo-Jin's movie? Do you have a director yet?"

I immediately turned to the side. "Yung-Jin, run!"

If those hyenas caught me, today's schedule would be a mess. So I took off with Lee Yung-Jin, sprinting like mad to escape their net.

***

We arrived at the

Hwaranjeon

set in the plains of Gyeongju. A wide, football field-sized stretch of grassland spread out between two hills ahead. Temporary grass had been patchily planted, and they were planning to film a massive battle scene here with three hundred Baekje soldiers and three hundred Silla soldiers.

"All right, Baekje soldiers line up at the front of the left hill. Silla soldiers to the right."

At the staff's direction, the extras began stepping onto the field with spears in hand.

"This way, please."

As the directing team led from the front, the background actors followed in an orderly line. However, the supporting cast on horseback, Yoo-Jin, and Duk-Bae still hadn't shown up.

I took the chance to look for Oh Bok-Hee to discuss the schedule adjustment. She hadn't replied since I had messaged her that morning saying I would be coming to set. It was classic PD behavior when they didn't want to give up shoot time.

'

So she's avoiding me, huh

?'

That's when I spotted Assistant Director Geum Eun-Dong moving with a cue sheet.

"Mr. Geum."

Geum Eun-Dong jumped and looked around nervously.

Worried he would run, I hurried over to greet him. "Hello. I sent a Kk Talk message to Mrs. Oh about the schedule adjustment. Do you think she saw it?"

"

Ah

, yes.

Hahaha

... I'm not sure about that."

Geum Eun-Dong's awkward smile gave me a clue of what was going on.

"What's wrong? Didn't Mrs. Oh already approve the film appearance?"

"Well, yes. But..."

With Yoo-Jin's rising popularity and viewership ratings nearing 35%, Oh Bok-Hee was clearly trying to back out. I figured I would have to speak with her directly. Once the shoot started, there'd be no time.

"Where is Mrs. Oh?" I asked.

"Well, I..."

Geum Eun-Dong, who was close to me, tried hard not to reveal Oh Bok-Hee's location despite his apologetic face. However, I figured it out instantly. There was an old thatched house right next to the set and that was where she was.

"She's in that house, right?"

Geum Eun-Dong looked shocked and confessed in a panic. "H-How did you..."

I answered as I walked toward the cottage. "It's obvious. The staff are all going out of their way to avoid it."

The moment they got near the door to the set cottage, the staff instinctively veered off. No one wanted to run into the boss. That was a universal workplace truth. In other words, the crew had pointed me straight to Oh Bok-Hee.

"

Sigh

... Yeah, you're right. I'll come with you."

Resigned, Geum Eun-Dong followed after me.

'

All right, time to dust off my skills

.'

The moment had come to show Oh Bok-Hee the magic of the schedule-adjusting wizard—me, back in full force after regression.