1st Year Max Level Manager

Prologue

If you could go back 10 years in time, what would you do?

Choose one from the options below.

Win the lottery.
Invest in stocks early and become rich.
Buy Bitcoin at a low price.
Change a choice you regret.

Have you chosen?

Now, another question.

If you chose number 1, do you remember the winning lottery numbers from 10 years ago?

Hmm, I don’t remember.

And number 2.

Yes, number 2 might be possible.

I know a few companies whose stock prices will rise.

And number 3, buying Bitcoin at a low price.

If you time it well, you could make a lot of money.

But in 2019, when I returned, I couldn’t make much profit.

Anyway, in my first life, I earned a lot of money.

But that life was painful and empty.

Ever since that day, when everything changed.

I made money, but I never had a peaceful sleep.

So, I chose number 4.

After returning, I could design my life again.

Because I came back with a diary that had the future events of the next 10 years written in it.

And that diary…

Whenever I made a new choice, the future events in it disappeared.

Thanks to that, I could see how my actions changed the future.

Ah, but don’t misunderstand.

Of course, I will still make money.

This is my second life.

If I do the same things again and still don’t make money, that would be strange.

Now, let’s begin.

This is the story of a max-level manager who has returned to year 1.

1. Return D-30

“Vice President of Top Entertainment.
Jung Yunho.”

On the wall of my study, there are many plaques of appreciation.

Each one has my name written in shining silver letters.

[For contributing to the growth of the Korean film industry…]
[For helping K-pop expand overseas...]
[As an ambassador for K-pop…]
[As the youngest cultural promoter...]

I looked at the words on the plaques and whispered to myself.

“I really succeeded. Jung Yunho.”

I entered the entertainment industry at the age of 26.

Now, after 10 years, I have become the vice president of Top Entertainment, the number one company in the industry.

I also married Joo Yeongin, a top actress.

I live in a 100-pyeong apartment at LT Tower in Jamsil, overlooking the Han River.

By anyone’s standards, this is a successful life.

But despite this external success, there was always an emptiness inside me.

Because of that day, 10 years ago.

A single wrong choice made me lose the people most precious to me.

And the painful memories of that day still haunted me.

“Sigh…”

I let out a deep sigh and turned my gaze to a photo placed in my study.

[Gulreongsoe Entertainment 7th Team-Building Event]

In the photo, surrounded by actors and staff, CEO Kang Gamchan is smiling in the center.

“That was a good time…”

Gulreongsoe Entertainment was my first company.

It was a place that valued the personality of actors.

Managers and actors treated each other like family.

But three years after that photo was taken, the company began to fall apart.

After CEO Kang Gamchan collapsed from a stroke, Kim Dongsu, the third team leader at the time, took 80% of the employees and actors and left the company.

Kim Dongsu is now the CEO of Top Entertainment.

And back then, I followed him.

That was the birth of Top Entertainment.

But Top Entertainment was completely different from Gulreongsoe Entertainment.

Gulreongsoe Entertainment believed an actor should be a good person before becoming a star.

But Top Entertainment didn’t care about scandals as long as the actors made money.

To become vice president, I had to follow that rule too.

I raised actors without caring about their personalities.

Even though it slowly ate away at me inside.

Throb.

As I recall old memories, a sharp pain spreads in my chest.

Recently, whenever I get stressed, this pain comes.

It has been a long time since my last medical check-up.

Maybe I should visit the hospital tomorrow.

Just then.

Buzz.

The schedule app “Everyday V10″, which I have used for 10 years, sent me a notification.

[Everyday V10]
[Date: November 12, 2029]
[Current time: AM 04:30, LT Tower (Home)]

– (D-30 Scheduled): Bundang Memorial Park, Miso.

–AM 05:00: Top Entertainment Conference Room (7F), Hwangryong Film Festival Meeting.

–PM 09:10: “In My Hands” Episode 11 Airs, Starring Min Gyuri.

…

“It’s already this late?”

It was now 4:30 AM.

Today was the Hwangryong Film Festival.

I had a lot to prepare.

At 11 PM last night, I received a secret call from a festival executive whom I had bribed in advance.

-“Vice President Jung, Min Gyuri should wear a red dress tomorrow.”

Min Gyuri was the leading actress in a movie that attracted 8.33 million viewers this year.

The signal meant she was confirmed to win the Best Actress Award.

Now, it was my turn to act.

I had to prepare Min Gyuri perfectly—hair, makeup, dress, everything had to be the best.

I also had to contact journalists to spread news like “Min Gyuri, likely to win Best Actress” by noon.

Since the entire company was coming to work early for the festival, I had to leave soon too.

Screech.

As I walked toward the dressing room, the sound of slippers dragging echoed in the living room.

If my wife was home, I would have been careful not to wake her.

But she still hadn’t returned.

“Tsk. Who is she meeting at this hour?”

I was about to call her when my phone rang first.

[Caller: CEO Kim Dongsu]

“Why is Dongsu calling at this time?”

When I answered, I heard his urgent voice.

-“Yunho! We’re in big trouble! Ugh—”

It sounded like he had been drinking with investors.

“You always say it’s a big deal. What is it this time?”

-“A journalist asked about Gyuri’s sponsor scandal. They plan to publish it tomorrow morning!”

“What?!”

The top actress who was supposed to win Best Actress had made a mistake.

Anger shot up inside me.

“You said Gyuri didn’t have a sponsor! What is this?!”

-“Ah… it happened. Just stop it somehow! The other party is powerful. If this leaks, we’re finished!”

“Who is it? Tell me at least that!”

-“Do I have to explain everything? Just take care of it!”

This was the result of recruiting actors without caring about their character.

I held my aching chest and took a deep breath.

“Hoo… Alright. Which reporters asked?”

-“Three newspapers… they are…”

I wrote down the names, then ended the call.

Now, it was time for negotiation.

This was the beginning of another chaotic day in the entertainment industry

* * *

Out of the three newspapers that asked about Min Gyuri’s sponsor scandal, I managed to stop two without much trouble.

I gave 200 million won to Entertainment Todays and 250 million won to Bling Bling Entertainment News.

Now, instead of exposing Min Gyuri’s sponsor story, their articles tonight will be titled “Min Gyuri’s Happy Day” and “Min Gyuri Wins Best Actress at Hwangryong Film Festival.”

“Jung Yunho… you have really fallen low…”

In the past, I hated these kinds of deals.

But if I don’t stop the article, the actress I worked hard to raise will be finished. I have no choice.

Now, only one newspaper remains.

Weekly Star.

I already talked to the editor, but the real problem is reporter Goo Minji, who has the photos.

She refuses to make a deal.

Because of that, I have to go to her house myself.

Screech.

I parked my car in front of a fancy two-story house in Cheongdam-dong.

“Wow! Nice house.”

Goo Minji used to be the leader of the girl group Pink Dia.

Now, she is a famous reporter.

She was also known as one of the toughest reporters out there.

After waiting for about five minutes…

Vroom.

I heard an engine start from the garage.

As the garage door lifted, a shiny 2030 model Porsche Cayenne appeared.

But when she saw my car blocking the garage, she stopped suddenly.

Screech!

Goo Minji got out of the car, shaking her wet hair.

“What are you doing? Move your car right now—”

“Hello, Reporter Goo.”

She frowned as she recognized me.

“Hmph. Vice President Jung? I’m busy right now. Let’s talk another time. Move your car.”

“Just a moment, please. It won’t take long—just one cup of coffee. I heard you like this.”

I handed her a Starbucks Double Shot Café Latte, her favorite drink.

She hesitated, then accepted it.

“Since you already bought it, I’ll take it. But only while I drink this, okay?”

“Thank you. Actually—”

Luckily, she was willing to talk.

But soon, she gave a cold smile.

“We’re both busy, so let’s skip to the point. You want me to stop the Min Gyuri article, right? You’re thinking of offering 500 million won?”

“Wow, Reporter Goo. You should be a fortune teller, not a journalist.”

“Give up. If my desk blocks the article, I’ll send it to the executives. Even your grandfather can’t stop this.”

“Come on, let’s not do this. I’ll take care of you in the future. And I’ll give you an exclusive scoop.”

That meant I would pay her off secretly.

But Goo Minji shook her head firmly.

“Didn’t you hear me? I said no!”

‘She usually takes money. Why is she acting like this now? Is something else going on?’

If it’s like this, I have no choice.

She had no idea that I was about to use my last card.

Goo Minji laughed, shaking her coffee.

“Best Actress at Hwangryong Film Festival, Won with Sponsor Money.” Sounds like a perfect headline, right? Wow, I wrote it myself, but it’s amazing.”

The cold wind made the coffee cool down quickly.

She drank the rest of it in one shot.

I should have brought it in a tumbler instead.

“Thanks for the coffee. Goodbye now. Clean up the mess properly.”

I sighed deeply and took out my phone.

“Reporter Goo, you should see this before you leave.”

She was about to get into her car, but when she saw my phone screen, her face turned pale.

“W-Where did you get that photo…?”

What I showed her…

Was an X-file about the entertainment industry.

[Reporter Goo Minji – X File]

–Content: Affair with Jang Mingi, second son of Jeongin Group.

–Attached files: 1. Yokohama Hotel (photo), 2. Bali Pool Villa (photo)

Her face went from shock to panic to rage.

Seeing her like that made me feel disgusted with myself.

I didn’t become a manager to do this.

But my face remained emotionless.

“Let’s keep this simple. You know that if you ruin someone else’s life, yours will be ruined too.”

“You f***ing bastard.”

Wow, that was a strong curse.

Then—

Swish!

She suddenly reached for my phone.

I moved away easily.

Her expression turned even more fierce.

“Aren’t you going to delete that? If Mingi finds out, he won’t let you go!”

“I don’t know much about your Mingi. But I do know how ruthless Kim Dongsu is. I just stopped him from sending these photos to another newspaper.”

The cold winter air stung.

Goo Minji stared at me, shaking in anger.

She was probably cursing me a hundred times in her head.

“I could have destroyed that b*tch Min Gyuri completely…”

Seems like she had some past conflict with Min Gyuri.

She bit her lips in frustration.

After a moment—

She gritted her teeth and made a phone call.

“Yes, editor. We need to negotiate this article. 500 million won. Yes, yes. I’ll explain later. Got it.”

She agreed so easily.

Seems like Dongsu talked to the editor again.

But then—

Thump.

I felt a sharp pain in my chest.

Damn it.

I really need to go to the hospital tomorrow.

Goo Minji hung up and looked at me with a frown.

“Vice President Jung, don’t you get tired of cleaning up after others?”

Of course, I do.

Especially when I have to clean up the messes of our actors.

It feels like my lifespan is shrinking every time.

But I just answered casually.

“Good deal. Your gift will be delivered to your house.”

I turned to leave.

But then, her sharp voice called out from behind.

“Hmph. Instead of cleaning up after actors, you should clean up your own house. I hear bad rumors about your family.”

I ignored her.

But her words annoyed me.

“Actress Joo Youngin’s Secret Life.” Or maybe…”Midas Touch Jung Yunho’s Wife’s Hidden Secret.”

What do you think? Sounds like a good end-of-year special, right?”

A vein popped on my forehead.

Entertainment reporters really know how to stab people with words.

I wanted to tell her to stop talking nonsense, but…

I couldn’t speak.

At the same time, my whole body suddenly felt heavy.

‘What’s happening…?’

“Hahaha. Well, take care. One day, I’ll destroy Min Gyuri with my own hands. And I’ll take you and that bastard Kim Dongsu down too. Hahaha.”

She left, laughing like a witch.

At that moment, I felt something rising from my stomach.

“Urghhh.”

I vomited onto the ground.

But the color wasn’t normal.

It wasn’t brown—it was dark red.

Blood.

My head spun, and my vision blurred.

Thud.

The moment my head hit the ground, my consciousness faded.

The cold asphalt in November was painfully freezing.

As my mind drifted away, I heard someone screaming.

In the distance, I thought I heard the siren of an ambulance.

But soon—

Beeeeeep.

Everything turned black.