Prologue: The 2.4 Billion Won Know-How

The 2.4 Billion Won Know-How

About a year ago, I remember watching a video on YouTube titled, "Can Anyone Earn a Billion Won Annually? Easy Ways to Write Web Novels - Special Edition." In the video, a casually dressed author and a host were present in the studio.

I pondered why I clicked on that video. Looking back, there were several reasons.

Firstly, a short story I had recently published received harsh criticism from some critics as "a shoddy structure only suitable for web novels." In essence, my reason for watching that video was out of spite for literary fiction. It was like saying, "Fine, if that's how it is, I'll write a web novel too."

But that wasn’t the only reason.

The third reason is reflected in the video's subtitle that both you and the past me were watching: "Web Novel Writer with an Annual Income of 1 Billion Won, Yu ChanYoung."

Seriously, even for a web novel writer, earning a billion won? That's an income some don't even dream of. Is it feasible for a writer in Korea to earn such an amount, unless you’re one of the few who sell over 500,000 copies?

Just as these thoughts crossed my mind, the host began speaking, "We've received many questions for you, Mr. Yu. Starting with a provocative one from ID BelieveAndSee, 'Is it true that you earn a billion won annually, Mr. Yu ChanYoung?'"

His immediate response was, "No."

As expected.

No way a writer earns that much!

Just as I was about to close the video, half disappointed, half relieved, he added, "To be precise, it's 2.4 billion won. I didn't mention this figure because I thought you wouldn’t believe it."

Stunned, I rewound the video to hear the author repeat, "To be exact, 2.4 billion won..."

2.4 billion?!

While my eyes were glued to the video, my hands were busily searching on Google: "Web novel writer's salary... Damn, is this real?"

Understanding the truth, the author on the screen seemed different.

Feelings of pettiness surged within me - envy for what I didn’t have and jealousy to belittle what he had, consoling myself that it wasn't my inability to write such stories.

"Critiquing every word he said, I listened to the interview, interjecting my own comments. It was embarrassing to think about it now, but everyone has their dark past."

As the interview neared its end, a final question came up: "Do you have any special know-how when writing your works?" "This is our last question from ID WebNovelAspirant. I'm quite curious too."

"Do I have the know-how? Well, sort of."

"Can you share it?"

"It's a trade secret, so it would be difficult to reveal."

"Ha ha, a 2.4 billion won secret? Could you share it just with me?"

The editor smiled cunningly, setting the atmosphere. I was curious. It was all probably staged, but still...

Then, with a peculiar smile, Yu ChanYoung spoke, "Become the protagonist."

What on earth was he talking about?

Even the host seemed to have the same thought, "You mean, writers should immerse themselves in the protagonist's role, right?"

"No, I mean it literally. You have to become the protagonist."

Just as I was about to dismiss his words as nonsense, I felt chills down my spine and dropped the mouse. Yu ChanYoung, on the other side of the screen, seemed to be staring right at me. Even though I knew this wasn't live, that he was looking at a camera, not me, I was breathless in that moment.

"Become the protagonist. That's the only way for you to survive."

I came to my senses only after the host's delayed response, "Be the protagonist! Ha ha, what a novelist-like metaphor."

"Haha, did it sound plausible?"

"Hahaha!"

What?

The rest of the interview was just trivial talk.

I quickly shut off the video, embarrassed to have been overwhelmed by someone on the other side of the monitor, and that too by a mere web novel writer.

"Putting on airs. Just empty words."

Empty words… I wanted to hit myself. If only I could go back to a year ago, I'd slap myself hard and tell me to wake up.

And to prepare.

Because back then, I didn’t know.

He was telling the truth.

His words were not just a metaphor.

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