From A Producer To A Global Superstar-Chapter 242: Two years ago

Dayo sat behind his desk, unmoving.

The room was quiet—too quiet.

A pen lay between his fingers, tapping lightly against the polished surface of the table.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

His eyes were fixed on nothing in particular, but his mind was racing.

He wasn’t angry.

Anger was loud, careless, emotional.

This was different.

This was calculation.

The industry was moving against him—not openly, not yet—but the signs were clear. Agencies pulling back. Actors withdrawing. Silent pressure from the so-called "Big Five."

They thought they had him cornered.

Dayo exhaled slowly.

"Still predictable," he muttered.

The pen stopped tapping.

He picked up his phone.

Scrolled.

And stopped on a familiar name.

Min-Jae.

He pressed call.

It rang once.

Twice.

Then—

"Dayo," Min-Jae’s voice came through, relaxed. "What’s up? I was just about to call you now."

Dayo leaned back in his chair. "You heard already?"

Min-Jae chuckled. "Of course I did. The industry has been noisy with the news how would i not know about it."

Dayo smiled faintly. "Then pay up."

There was a pause.

Then—

"Damn it," Min-Jae groaned. "Why is it that you never lose a bet?"

Dayo laughed quietly. "Because I’m always five steps ahead of you."

"Tch," Min-Jae replied. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever. You win this one."

"This one?" Dayo repeated.

Min-Jae sighed. "Fine. You have been winning since day one."

They both knew what that meant.

After a brief silence, Min-Jae spoke again.

"But seriously," he said. "How did you even know something like this would happen?"

Dayo didn’t answer immediately.

His gaze drifted to the window.

"Two years ago," he said calmly, "I already knew."

Min-Jae paused. "I cant even argue."

Dayo smiled.

***

Two Years Earlier

Summer in Korea was humid.

The air stuck to your skin, heavy and restless.

Dayo stood at the back of the audition hall, arms crossed, eyes sharp. In front of him, young trainees rotated in and out—singing, dancing, performing.

This wasn’t unusual.

This was routine.

He flew in like this often, helping Min-Jae oversee recruitment for their music label. Sometimes he stayed behind the scenes. Sometimes he sat openly.

He preferred watching quietly.

Min-Jae dropped into the seat beside him. "So? Thoughts?"

Dayo didn’t look away from the stage. "Recruit three. Drop five."

Min-Jae snorted. "You didn’t even blink."

"They don’t have it," Dayo replied simply.

Min-Jae shook his head. "You’re ruthless."

"I’m honest."

If only Min-Jae knew he had a system that could see potential but what matters was Min-Jae trust him and had seen the results.

After the session ended, they stepped outside. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the pavement.

Dayo stopped walking.

"Speaking of which," he said casually, "I want to enter the movie industry."

Min-Jae froze.

"...What?"

Dayo turned to him. "I want to enter the movie industry."

Min-Jae stared. "We’re still stabilizing the music side. We haven’t even fully solved distribution issues, and now you want to jump industries?"

"Yes."

Min-Jae laughed in disbelief. "Bro. You’re getting greedy."

Dayo smiled without shame. "Of course I am. I’m very greedy."

Min-Jae sighed. "So what’s the plan?"

Dayo’s expression sharpened.

"Before anything else," he said, "acquire studios."

Min-Jae blinked. "Studios?"

"Yes."

"And theaters."

Min-Jae’s brows shot up. "Theaters too?"

"Especially theaters."

Min-Jae scratched his head. "Okay... that’s doable. Expensive, but doable."

"And one more thing," Dayo added. "Do it discreetly."

Min-Jae frowned. "Why?"

"Because when people notice, it’ll already be too late."

They continued walking.

"And Min-Jae," Dayo added. "Acquire an acting agency."

Min-Jae stopped again. "An agency?"

"Yes. One with actors and actresses already signed."

"You know you can just hire actors when you need them," Min-Jae said.

Dayo shook his head. "I want to have a backup i have learnt its better to have a plan than never to have one."

There was a pause.

Min-Jae sighed. "Alright. I’ll do it."

Months Later

The agency acquisition was complete.

Dayo arrived unannounced.

The staff panicked.

He called for a meeting.

Every actor. Every manager. Every trainee.

They gathered in the hall.

Dayo stood at the front, calm and emotionless.

Then—

He laid them off.

Not all.

But many.

Shock rippled through the room.

Those with potential below B+ were released.

No insults.

No drama.

Just facts.

The remaining few stood frozen.

"To those staying," Dayo said evenly, "you will work harder than ever. You may not see immediate opportunities. But your compensation will be fair."

He kept his word.

High salaries.

Proper training.

No shortcuts.

Then he opened auditions Publicly and somehow quietly.

And People came.

Hundreds.

Thousands.

Dayo watched.

Grades appeared in his mind.

A’s.

B’s.

E’s.

A few S’s.

Then—

He froze.

Talent Detected: SSS-

His eyes narrowed.

He had never seen that before.

SS+ was the highest he’d encountered.

But this?

SSS minus.

Rare..l

Promising.

He pulled Min-Jae aside immediately.

"Mark that one," Dayo said. "Do not let him leave no matter the circumstances."

Min-Jae nodded he had gotten use to Dayo’s unique ways of spotting talent and he has not been wrong not once. "Understood."

"Train him," Dayo continued. "Protect him. Keep him happy."

Min-Jae smiled. "You don’t need to tell me twice."

Later that night, Min-Jae asked, "All this preparation... what’s it for?"

Dayo looked ahead. "Insurance."

"Insurance for what?"

"For when the industry turns."

Min-Jae laughed. "You’re overthinking."

Dayo stopped walking.

"Want to bet?"

Min-Jae groaned. "I never win."

"That’s your problem," Dayo said. "Still, place it."

Min-Jae sighed. "Fine. What’s the bet?"

"If within five years of entering the movie industry," Dayo said, "I need everything we’re building now—then you pay me."

"And if you don’t?"

"I pay you."

Min-Jae raised an eyebrow. "How much?"

"Ten to one?" Min-Jae tried.

Dayo scoffed. "Too small."

"...A million?"

Dayo smiled. "Now you’re talking."

Min-Jae laughed. "Fine. A million on Korean Dollars."

They shook hands.

Present

Dayo leaned back in his chair.

Phone still to his ear.

Min-Jae sighed on the other end. "So... about that million."

Dayo chuckled. "Don’t even think about it send my money to my account."

"Tch very greedy fellow. " Min-Jae teased.

The call ended.

Dayo placed the phone down.

The pen on his desk stopped moving.

Everything was unfolding exactly as predicted.

They thought they were cornering him.

In reality—

They were stepping into a trap prepared years ago.

Dayo smiled faintly. 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Spiritual freedom," he murmured, "belongs to those who prepare."

And somewhere deep within the industry—

The storm was just beginning.