Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 518

A smirk.

A faint smile spread across Hyun-sung’s face as he confirmed the identities of the two men.

He definitely knew one of them. It was Jeon Jin-soo, the sales representative from Starmax Sales Agency.

Among the sales reps, he was someone Hyun-sung had been particularly close to. He was five years older than Hyun-sung, and he was the only one who came to the wedding hall to congratulate Hyun-sung and his wife, Yoon Ji-soo, when they got married later on.

And the other person, he didn’t know.

However, it was a situation he could easily guess. If he came with the Starmax sales representative, he must be the head of the Starmax Sales Agency.

The agency head visiting a rental store in person?

Of course, it was absurd.

But that absurd thing was happening now, and he would find out the reason from now on.

“Hello! I am from Starmax…”

Jeon Jin-soo greeted Hyun-sung first, introducing himself. Then, he introduced the person next to him.

As Hyun-sung expected, it was the head of the Starmax Sales Agency.

The reason he came was simple.

It was to express his gratitude for ordering 300 copies of ‘Hit’ and to ask for his continued support. In the end, the reason he came was to ask him to buy more works from their distribution company.

Whatever the reason, it was appreciated that the agency head visited the rental store in person.

Was that why?

Gratitude was evident in Hyun-sung’s voice as he greeted them.

“Thank you! Agency Head! I appreciate the congratulatory wreath, and thank you for coming in person. Please, come inside?”

“Just a moment, there’s something to unload from the car.”

With those words, the agency head and Jeon Jin-soo began unloading boxes from the van.

Soon after.

There were a total of nine boxes piled up inside the store.

Jeon Jin-soo, the sales representative, looked at Hyun-sung and said.

“This is the ‘Hit’ you ordered.”

“‘Hit’?”

Hyun-sung couldn’t help but be surprised.

The time wasn’t even 9 a.m. yet, but the new release had already arrived.

Usually, the sales representative came around 7 p.m. It wasn’t done on purpose; the sales representative had to go through different routes, so it was an unavoidable situation.

As a result, the time to rent the new releases was inevitably delayed. But it wasn’t a matter of blaming anyone, so it was a regrettable but unavoidable problem.

But the situation had changed. The new releases had arrived before 9 a.m.

This changed things.

Since he had already taken pre-orders, it meant he could start business right away.

Moreover, the fact that he could circulate the new releases earlier than other rental stores meant that it was more advantageous in terms of competition.

“This is probably the first case in the country where it was delivered to a rental store this early,” the agency head said proudly, then immediately continued.

“Actually, General Manager Jeon can’t do business today if he doesn’t deliver this first. The reason is that ordinary vehicles can’t carry this much volume.”

In the end, it meant that because the order volume was large, the sales representative’s vehicle could not carry all the volume, so he deliberately loaded it onto a van and came.

It was a situation that was easy enough to understand.

Hyun-sung nodded, his gaze turned to the items piled on the floor.

It was the box containing ‘Hit’ that was released today.

Hyun-sung tilted his head for a moment. The reason was that the quantity was different from the ordered quantity.

There are 40 video tapes in one box, but now there are 9 boxes. So, the total number of videos is 360.

Hyun-sung ordered 300 copies, which means that 60 more copies came.

A sly grin.

Momentarily, a smile spread across Hyun-sung’s face.

The reason was that he seemed to know what those 60 copies meant.

Hyun-sung pretended not to know and asked the sales representative.

“Excuse me, is this quantity correct? It seems like there’s some kind of mistake.”

“Ah, that?”

Jeon Jin-soo smiled as if he knew what he was talking about and immediately continued.

“20% of the 300 copies, that is, 60 copies, are a service from me—no, from our sales agency. So, a total of 360 copies came. I will collect the 60 copies again in 2 or 3 weeks. So, just circulate them until then and then take them out.”

It is a system used in the video industry called ‘push quantity’ [extra copies provided to retailers to encourage sales].

It is not necessarily fixed, but generally, about 20% of the quantity is supported in proportion to the amount purchased.

Of course, this also varies from company to company.

Some places are 20%, while others are 50%, 100%, or 300%. In the end, the push quantity was different for each company and each work.

However, this push quantity was not equally beneficial to all rental stores.

The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.

As with all industries, the video industry was the same.

The more purchase costs, the more the push quantity would inevitably increase in proportion to it, and if not, it would inevitably be relatively small.

Hyun-sung was the latter case. Since the size of the rental store was small, the order quantity was inevitably small, and as a result, he was inevitably alienated from such benefits.

This was also the sorrow of a small business owner that could not be helped.

“Ah, yes… I see.”

Hyun-sung nodded as if he finally understood.

Of course, he already knew about it, but he couldn’t show it now, so he had no choice but to act a little.

But then, a strange thought came to Hyun-sung’s mind.

Now that it has come to this, he wanted to receive even the services he couldn’t receive in his previous life. He wanted to receive compensation for his previous life in that way.

Hyun-sung first called Jeon Jin-soo, the sales representative.

“Mr. Jeon Jin-soo!”

“Yes? Ah, yes. What…”

From Jeon Jin-soo’s point of view, he seemed surprised that Hyun-sung suddenly called his name.

Hyun-sung’s words followed immediately.

“According to what you said, Jin-soo, in the case of ‘Hit’ this time, you have to buy at least 5 copies to get 1 copy pushed, right?”

“That’s right, you have to buy at least that much…”

“That means you can’t give push quantity if you buy less than 5 copies, right?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Jeon Jin-soo nodded as if it was natural and answered.

Then Hyun-sung asked again.

“I’m asking because I don’t know well, but about how many rental stores buy more than 5 copies in total?”

“Um… it’s about 30% of all rental stores.”

“Really? Then the remaining 70% are all less than 5 copies, right?”

“That’s right, there are more small stores than medium and large stores. But why?”

Jeon Jin-soo looked at Hyun-sung as if he was curious. The agency head next to him was the same.

Hyun-sung glanced at the two of them and immediately continued.

“Then where does that quantity go?”

“Yes? That quantity? What…”

“I’m talking about the push quantity that is sold in small stores. It seems like that quantity is also huge.”

“Uh? That’s…”

Jeon Jin-soo couldn’t easily continue speaking.

Hyun-sung smiled inwardly as he watched him.

He probably couldn’t speak even if he wanted to. After all, he wouldn’t be distributing it in a legitimate way.

This time, Hyun-sung looked at the agency head next to him and asked.

“What do you think, Agency Head?”

“Well, that’s up to the sales representative…”

“Do you really not know?”

“Yes? That’s…”

From the agency head’s point of view, it was an embarrassing question.

Why wouldn’t he know? Of course, he knows. But he’s just pretending not to know. That is also a source of income that the sales representative can create.

There are two main ways to distribute that quantity.

One is to distribute the quantity to a rental store run by himself or a relative to generate profit.

And the other is to designate a few so-called managed shops and receive a monthly management fee for renting out the quantity.

He himself had lived that way when he was a sales representative in the past. But he couldn’t openly tell the rental store owner about it.

After all, it’s not a normal distribution method.

When the agency head couldn’t answer properly, Jeon Jin-soo, the sales representative, cleared his throat and stepped forward again.

“Ahem, Mr. President. What do you want to say? Let’s not beat around the bush and talk frankly.”

It was the moment when Jeon Jin-soo’s personality came out. In his previous life, he was able to get close to him because of his personality.

Hyun-sung smiled at Jeon Jin-soo and immediately continued.

“Can I call you ‘hyung’ [older brother or older male friend] from now on?”

“Yes? Suddenly?”

“We’ll be seeing each other a lot in the future anyway, so I want to organize the titles. And decisively, I like that frank personality.”

“Yes? Haha…”

Jeon Jin-soo suddenly laughed, reached out his hand to Hyun-sung, and continued.

“Okay. Let’s do that. What’s wrong with a capable president calling me ‘hyung’?”

Hyun-sung immediately grabbed Jeon Jin-soo’s outstretched hand and continued.

“I look forward to working with you.”

“I should be the one saying that. I look forward to working with you.”

“If possible, why don’t you start saying that comfortably from now on? After all, I’ve decided to call you ‘hyung’.”

“Haha, should I? By the way, I like this president’s personality. Okay, in that sense, let’s finish the story we were talking about earlier. What do you want to say? Let’s talk frankly.”

“Okay, then I’ll tell you right away without beating around the bush. That’s…”

Before speaking, Hyun-sung glanced at the agency head next to him.

Then he could hear the sound of him swallowing hard. That’s how curious he was about Hyun-sung’s words.

Hyun-sung’s words followed immediately.

“Hyung Jin-soo, let’s fill ten boxes since we’re giving them.”

“Ten boxes?”

“Yes, since it seems obvious that neither of you can talk about it, I’ll use some of the remaining quantity. So, how about it?”

Hyun-sung looked at the two of them alternately as he finished speaking.

Then the two looked at each other for a moment, and then almost simultaneously burst out laughing.

Shortly after.

Jeon Jin-soo looked at Hyun-sung and asked.

“Dongsaeng [younger brother or younger male friend], is this your first time running a rental store?”

“Yes, of course it’s my first time. But why?”

“Why, you ask. Anyone who sees you would think you’ve been doing it for at least 10 years. I’ve been in this industry for 8 years, and this is the first time I’ve seen a player like you.”

“A player? Haha…”

Hyun-sung laughed cheerfully.

In his previous life, he was taken advantage of because he didn’t know, and he had no choice but to be alienated because he was a small business owner. But at least now, he couldn’t help but laugh at the thought that that would never happen again.

Jeon Jin-soo continued.

“I’ll bring you another box of videos this afternoon, so buy me jajangmyeon [Korean-Chinese noodle dish] sometime.”

“Is jajangmyeon enough? Instead, set a date and come with the agency head, and I’ll treat you to some proper beef. And this.”

Hyun-sung took out a ten million won check from his wallet and handed it to Jeon Jin-soo.

Then Jeon Jin-soo, who received the check, opened his mouth wide.

“Uh? What is this?”

“This is the payment for the video tapes you brought today. You can settle the remaining money later.”

The biggest problem among sales representatives is getting paid at the end of the month. It’s natural to get paid for selling goods, but it’s not as easy as it sounds.

In addition, if the amount is large, some of the amount is often carried over to the next month. As a result, the biggest stress for sales representatives was getting cash advances to cover it at the end of the month.

They had no choice but to do so because they couldn’t get paid until they closed the books.

Knowing all those difficulties, Hyun-sung paid in advance.

On the other hand, Jeon Jin-soo, who held the check in his hand, was trembling.

This is the first time this has happened.

Even if it’s not, they’re busy collecting money at the end of the month. If even one person can’t close the books, other sales representatives can’t get paid either.

As a result, they can’t digest and are stressed out at the end of the month.

In fact, even while receiving 300 orders for ‘Hit’ this time, he was happy on the one hand, but worried on the other hand.

The reason was the payment.

In common parlance, it’s a headache if they buy a lot of goods and then say they don’t have money at the end of the month.

Moreover, it was an unprecedented 300 orders anywhere in the country. As a result, he was subtly nervous.

But he would pay right away like this.

It was the moment when Jeon Jin-soo’s expression brightened up.

“Dongsaeng, thank you.”

“You’re welcome, it’s natural. And thank you for your hard work this morning. Agency Head, thank you again for the wreath and thank you for your hard work this morning. I will now work hard to sell these videos.”

“Haha, our president is really cool. Frankly, our General Manager Jeon was a little worried. But I’m just grateful that you solved it all at once like this. If you need anything in the future, just tell me, and I’ll do my best to help.”

The agency head bowed to Hyun-sung.

It was something that was unimaginable in his previous life. As with most small rental stores, Hyun-sung was also busy covering the cost of videos at the end of the month.

Then Jeon Jin-soo bowed his head and continued.

“Dongsaeng, we’re going to leave now, so have a great day today. Agency Head, let’s go.”

“Wait a minute, take this with you.”

Hyun-sung quickly handed a box of rice cakes to Jeon Jin-soo.

“Uh? You want me to take all of this?”

“Share it with the other sales representatives in the sales office. And take a few with you when you leave work and give them to your mother.”

“Mother?”

“Don’t you have a mother at home?”

“Of course I have one, but how did you know that, Dongsaeng…”

Jeon Jin-soo tilted his head and looked at Hyun-sung.

Then Hyun-sung smiled and continued.

“Just by feeling.”

“By feeling…? Hehe, that’s something.”

Jeon Jin-soo tilted his head and chuckled. Then he reached out his hand to Hyun-sung again.

“Good, I have a good feeling too. Let’s work well together in the future.”

He was the one who often bought rice cakes on his way home for his mother, who was always alone at home while he was out doing business. He said that his mother especially liked rice cakes.

Hyun-sung grabbed Jeon Jin-soo’s hand and shook it vigorously.

It was the moment when he met another precious relationship from his previous life.