The Famous Millionaire

At Hyunwoo’s kind urging, Jihun hesitatingly said, “Don’t you think the employees of Imagingpia are jobless if the company went bankrupt? I think there might be someone among them who might be interested in teaching us…”

In other words, Jihoon was looking for someone who could donate their talent. He couldn’t tell Hyunwoo that he thought was the case because of the payment for their talent donation. However, money was not a big problem to Hyunwoo now. Even if Hyunwoo could find a couple of them, one million won would be more than enough.

Snapping his finger, Hyunwoo said, “Yea, that’s a great idea!”

Then, he immediately called Gyungsu and asked, “Hey, do you know any employee of Imagingpia who might be interested in sharing their talent with the Anifan kids?”

“Well, there are lots of talented guys, but I wonder if they can teach the kids for free.”

“What I want is for them to work part-time on weekends like you did before. If they teach three to four hours on the weekend, I don’t think they will be asking for big money.”

“That’s up to them, to be honest. They are lacking in planning, but excellent in creating stories, mapping, writing or production technique. Let me send you a list of names who have expertise in the relevant field, so you can call them directly.”

“Got it, Brother Gyungsu.”

A while later Hyunwoo received several text messages from him.

Hyunwoo called each of the names. Some of them showed interest in talent donation, but others showed a skeptical reaction. However, they had one thing in common: they wanted payment.

One said, “It’s difficult for me to donate my talent. As I’m financially stressed, I have to use my talent to make more money.”

“I agree. What do you think is the right payment for your service then?” asked Hyunwoo.

“Even if I spend two or three houses per week, I have to devote one whole day to it. In addition, you have to take into account the time I spend on preparing the teaching material.”

That meant the person Hyunwoo contacted wanted as much money as possible for his service.

He said, “I think one million won per month is proper payment.”

Hyunwoo’s jaws dropped at that because it was much more than he initially expected. By simple calculation, it was 100,000 won per hour. Though Hyunwoo was willing to be generous about paying them, his asking for one million won was simply too much. If Hyunwoo hired two, that would mean two million won per month, which would obviously be a financial burden to him.

If the burden was too much, Hyunwoo had to think of hiring just one, not two persons.

I should not be too impatient. I may have a better solution if I give it more serious thought, Hyunwoo thought to himself.

Hyunwoo turned his head. Jihun and other members of the Anifan kids were all looking at him with a look of expectancy.

With a bright smile, Hyunwoo said, “Just wait a little more. I think I can find you one or two teachers.”

Only then did they make an expression of relief on their faces, “Thank you!”

“Please do me a favor, guys,” said Hyunwoo.

“What is it?”

Inserting a USB in the computer, Hyunwoo showed them his recommendations about Pilgaek n the Story Mecca.

“So, you want us to change it into a webtoon, right?” asked Jihun.

“Yes, you’re right. As I’m a poor writer, you see lots of flaws in my recommendations. How about it? Can you find out the theme of my writing?”

“Of course, we can. Though we’re working in a different field, we’re video writers anyway.”

“Then, I trust you. Please make the best possible webtoon out of my recommendations.”

“Don’t worry. Seoim is with us, as you know. After reading your recommendations on Pilgaek’s stories, we’ll improve them as best as we can.”

Hyunwoo felt confident enough when he thought of Jihun and Seoim. If they joined hands together, they could make an excellent webtoon.

After he arrived home, Hyunwoo thought deeply about how to help the Anifan kids and the talent donation. He felt there must be some solution, but couldn’t think of it.

Suddenly, an idea came to his mind and his eyes snapped open, “Oh, yes! I’ve got an idea.”

He remembered that the city government had some support programs related to this. He called one of his friends working for the city government. Fortunately, his friend was assigned to a regional economic section some time ago. Hyunwoo explained to him about his problem.

With a hearty laugh, his friend said, “Hey, I think you have a really good friend, who is me. There are so many programs you have mentioned in various sections. Even here in my section, we have some financial support programs related to the imaging media business.”

Hyunwoo was really glad to hear that because he felt the Anifan kids might be the very kind of targets that such programs were intended for.

“How much subsidy can I receive? And are there any conditions?”

His friend hung up the call, saying he needed to find the relevant regulation. After a good while he called Hyunwoo back and gave him the necessary tips, “It’s not free. You have to start a business in the field of imaging media. In that case, the city government pays 50% of the education expenses in subsidies. The subsidies are not confined to the start-up expenses only.”

He explained a variety of relevant programs, which surprised Hyunwoo a lot. The most attractive benefits were the subsidies on the purchase of high-end technology and equipment. For example, if he bought the latest computers and programs necessary for the start-up imaging media business, the city of Ansan would finance 50% of the total expenses.

There were also subsidies for sales promotion, targeting those who needed the money to market their video products or publicize them. If anyone needed to fly to Japan on a working trip, for example, the city government would issue 50% of the airline tickets as a refund.

“By the way, you had better know this, too. Around February next year, we’re planning to host an open contest on creative features under the joint sponsorship of several organizations. The winners will receive up to 50 million won in subsidies.”

“50 million won?”

Hyunwoo’s eyes opened wide again. That amount of money would be a big financial help to the Anifan kids. Of course, it might be a tough challenge for them because there were so many talented and competent people. For example, Gyungsu and his friends were formidable rivals. It would be very difficult for these young kids with no expertise to compete with the veterans in the field. Though they will obviously submit their animation work, their greed might bring about negative consequences.

Nonetheless, the tips given by his friend was great news to Hyunwoo.

“Thanks so much. Let me treat you to good drinks later.”

“Great. If you have any more question, just call me anytime.”

After he left the office for the day, Hyunwoo headed straight to the House of Happiness. He gathered the Anifan kids to explain about the city government’s subsidy programs, emphasizing that they needed to set up a venture to get the subsidies.

Hearing Hyunwoo’s explanation, Jihun opened his eyes wide, as if stunned.

“Starting a venture? How can we?”

“What’s the big deal about it? You can use this place as your office, and you’re the prospective employees, right?”

Nonetheless, Jihun was not persuaded, with a perplexed look on his face.

“Well, I feel so burdened even to hear that. Can you just start a venture? Hire us as your employees. We won’t ask for any money, of course. Hahaha.”

Other kids of the Anifan also joined Jihun to implore him to do so.

At that moment, Hyunwoo felt inspired to hear that. So far Hyunwoo separated himself from them, content with just helping them in one way or another.

When he heard Jihun’s request, however, Hyunwoo felt there was another way to help them. And that was to go on the journey with them.

There is nothing one-sided in this world. If one gives something to the other, the other is supposed to give back something in return. Only that way can they share what they have without feeling any burden. Of course, parents’ love of their children is one-sided, but even that is far from perfectly one-sided.

Is it desirable for Hyunwoo to give one-sided help to these Anifan kids with whom not a single drop of blood of his is mixed? That kind of help might ruin them in some respect because continued one-sided help will weaken the spirit of their independence.

However, if Hyunwoo’s help was changed into something like a contract, the situation would be different. And the Anifan kids would also feel the sense of responsibility and obligation. They would have to think for themselves that they should not be lazy not only for their own future but also Hyunwoo’s interests.

And Hyunwoo could also help them more actively than now. He would also be able to feel no more hesitant to help other needy kids.

Okay. I’m not simply helping them, but investing for us all. Maybe this is the path I should pursue.