Chapter 60: Bestseller Spotlight

In this challenging paper book market, ‘You Are the Star Within Me’ drew attention. 

It wasn’t just a matter of being noticed—chosen as a bestseller, it asserted a definite presence in bookstores. 

Even more surprising, this work was selected by readers over the highly publicized contest grand prize winner.

While the grand prize piece was released with major promotion from the media and publishing house, the actual market response fell short of expectations. 

On the other hand, ‘You Are the Star Within Me’ touched the hearts of countless readers and increased sales purely through word of mouth, without any particular marketing. 

As time went on, the gap only widened, and eventually, ‘You Are the Star Within Me’ topped the weekly sales charts at major bookstores—a remarkable sight.

Literary magazines and book review blogs took note of this trend. 

Some reviewers covered ‘You Are the Star Within Me’ under titles like ‘Sincerity Ultimately Leads Readers,’ while those in the publishing industry couldn’t hide their amazement, calling it a book that triumphed with authenticity rather than planning and marketing.

Within the publishing industry, this phenomenon was sometimes called a ‘rebellion.’ 

At a time when literary contests were considered the gateway to publication, it was rare for a general release, not a contest winner, to receive such overwhelming support from readers.

Some analyzed that the success of ‘You Are the Star Within Me’ stemmed from the power of empathy born from the writer’s personal narrative, while others described it as the strength of writing that relied on sincerity rather than technique.

Even within the publishing house, the unusual sales trend was met with astonishment. 

The editor in charge said, “The initial print of three thousand copies sold out in an instant. We’re already preparing for another reprint just a day after deciding to print more,” moving busily.

─ Who cares about the grand prize? To me, this book is the true winner.

─ This is the book I reach for when I miss my younger sibling so much I want to cry. At those times, I wonder why I acted so harshly, and I regret and reflect on myself. I really miss my sibling.

─ This feels less like a novel and more like a diary. A diary that makes me look back on myself. The gentle warmth and emotion that flows quietly through it are the book’s true charm.

Messages like these poured in.

The reaction spread, centered on reading communities and online portal forums.

There was even news that in some classrooms, ‘You Are the Star Within Me’ had been selected as required reading for free-reading lessons.

The marketing team at the publishing house focused on following this trend.

To some, the situation may have seemed ironic—the grand prize winner struggling with poor sales, while a work completely unrelated to the contest claimed the top spot at bookstores. But to me, nothing could have been more gratifying.

‘You Are the Star Within Me’ was a record of my heart, and a letter to let the world know just how lovely and precious my little sister is, so I was grateful that so many people read it. 

Knowing it could comfort someone else was more valuable than any prize.

***

Hwang Kyuyoung, the CEO of Faith Publishing, was also watching the situation closely. 

By nature, he was someone who judged an author’s worth based solely on grades and market potential.

‘You Are the Star Within Me’ wasn’t chosen for its literary merit or emotional resonance, but as a kind of ‘service publication’ to keep the genre author known as ‘Unreal Brother’ tied to the company. 

It was a strategic move—an obligation of sorts to a writer who’d made money for them with genre fiction.

But when these unexpected results began to unfold, Hwang Kyuyoung stared blankly out the window from his office desk. 

Beyond the open window, through which the spring breeze flowed, Seoul’s sky was exceptionally clear.

A book he had dismissed as unprofitable was now selling out and making the bestseller list at every bookstore—truly a rare occurrence.

“This can really happen, huh. I thought it was special right from the sprout. Haha.”

After briefly closing his eyes, he rubbed his forehead with the back of his hand and stood up from his seat.

He muttered to himself, straightened his back, adjusted his shirt collar, and walked into the office.

“Oh, Assistant Oh, Producer Lee.”

Hwang Kyuyoung sat down with a sly smile, pulling up a chair.

“There’s a reason I told you to publish this. Everything was calculated from the start.”

He acted as if he had foreseen everything.

“Assistant Oh.”

“Yes, sir?”

“You’ll be promoted to deputy manager soon. Good work.”

“Eh?!”

Oh Juseon was so stunned by the representative’s words that he stupidly asked for clarification. 

He needed a moment to process what that statement really meant.

“Just keep doing what you’re doing. Make sure to hold on to that author. From now on, you and Unreal Brother are inseparable.”

Hwang Kyuyoung patted Oh Juseon’s shoulder lightly, then went back into the executive office with a satisfied look.

“...... Producer, can you pinch my cheek?”

Oh Juseon stayed frozen in his seat, his gaze fixed on the CEO’s door for some time.

***

Evening.

─ A work that failed to make it past the youth literature contest has captured readers’ hearts and reached bestseller status. The novel ‘You Are the Star Within Me’ has caused a sell-out across bookstores nationwide, sending a fresh wave through the publishing industry.

‘You Are the Star Within Me’ was prominently featured in major media.

As the opening music played, the screen changed. 

The camera panned slowly across the studio, then zoomed in on the anchor desk. 

The news anchor looked straight into the camera and began to speak.

─ This book is not a simple coming-of-age novel. It is a literary work that paints a picture of family love and heartfelt perspective, winning broad sympathy and love from readers.

The news cut to footage from inside a bookstore. 

The store was crowded with people, books disappearing quickly from the shelves, readers heading to the counter with the book in hand—each scene flashed by on screen.

Then, as the book cover came into close-up, the anchor’s voice continued.

─ I started crying while reading it. Really... my heart felt heavy. I think I’d neglected my family because I’d been so busy lately.

─ I have a younger sibling too, and we fight all the time. After reading this book... I felt I should treat them better. It really touched me.

The footage shifted to citizen interviews. 

A woman reading on a bench in front of a supermarket gave a shy smile to the camera.

In another scene, a male student turned the pages, then rubbed his eyes with his hand.

─ As the initial print run of three thousand copies sold out, the publisher urgently printed another three thousand, and total cumulative sales have surpassed thirty thousand copies. Among readers, there’s even talk of buying two copies—one to keep, one to give as a gift—testifying to the book’s immense popularity.

The camera moved inside the publishing house. 

Editors busily prepared for additional printings, and scenes of freshly printed books being packed into boxes at the print shop flashed by, leading the flow of the news.

“Now look at this—my own child’s work is on the news.”

Dad set down the remote, smiling. 

There was a pride on his face that couldn’t be hidden.

“I guess I should read it too.”

Da-hye, putting down the snack she’d been eating, turned her attention to the book on the TV screen.

“Haha, it’s probably not your style, so you won’t enjoy it much.”

Lately, my little sister had started learning about romance through romance-filled comics and novels. 

She’d fallen head over heels for cold, aloof male leads designed for women, and she’d often show me the main character’s scenes and try to brainwash me: ‘Oppa, you should become a guy like this too.’

“What, why? I know how to read stuff like that too, you know?”

Da-hye bristled at my words.

“Yeah? Then what’s the most recent book you’ve read?”

“Hmm? Uh, um, let’s see. Well......”

At my question, Da-hye was visibly flustered.

It was understandable—if you went into her room, the bookshelf was filled with titles like ‘Unrequited Love,’ ‘Ways to Date,’ and other romance-related books, but nothing else.

I’d never seen her read anything that looked boring.

“T-That’s why, I’m saying I’ll start with your novel!”

After stammering several times, she finally managed a convincing answer.

“Haha, alright. But no saying it’s cringey or anything, okay?”

Of course, Da-hye wouldn’t realize it.

That the book was actually about her.

“Don’t worry. I’ll read it properly and promote it to my friends too.”

“Alright, thanks.”

─ Next up, last year’s cumulative sales of Harry Truck surpassed 500 million copies. The author’s annual income is said to be in the billions......

“Wow, billions?!”

Just then, as the news moved on to another story, Da-hye’s mouth dropped open.

‘Ah, right, this was around the time that happened.’

I’d momentarily forgotten about Harry Truck.

The legendary work that turned its author into a billionaire with a single series.

Honestly, it was such an unbelievable hit that words failed me.

Just watching it made my thoughts race.

‘Do I need to reach that level too? No, can I even get there?’

Later on, when everything was added together, its total sales would surpass a trillion won.

It was a work I truly envied.

“Oppa, what do you have to do to make billions?”

Da-hye, caught up by the mention of billions, was now envying the author of Harry Truck.

‘Honestly, well, it’s the age for that. I was like that too, back then.’

My momentary bitterness melted away at Da-hye’s voice.

‘Worrying won’t change anything. In the end, it’s all up to me.’

I steadied my wavering heart and resolved myself anew.

“You’ll do great too.”

You’ll end up earning billions just by breathing someday.

Because I’ll make it so.

That day isn’t far off now.

Under my direction, our family was continuing to invest in promising companies around the world—in America, China, Europe, and so on—and quickly building assets through domestic companies as well.

My parents’ assets now reached fifty billion won, and Da-hye’s were up to thirty-five billion.

Even without the property tied up in Dongtan, my own assets were close to five hundred billion.

There was so much money now that it was starting to take a lot of work to manage it all, but I was still too cautious to leave it in someone else’s hands and paid attention to everything myself.

Thinking of those assets, I glanced at Da-hye’s expression.

“Ah, I really hope that comes true.”

At my words, Da-hye drifted off into a daydream.

I smiled quietly as I watched her.

Ding dong.

At that moment, the doorbell rang. 

Sitting on the sofa, we all turned our attention toward the front door.

“Is someone coming over?”

At the sound of the doorbell from outside, Mom glanced at Dad.

“No, I wasn’t expecting anyone.”

Dad shook his head in response.

“I’ll go check.”

I stood up to solve their curiosity.

“Who is it?”

─ Hello, I’m a reporter from KBS. Is this the home of author Yoo Seunghyun by any chance?

“......?!”

At the voice in my ear, I froze, holding my breath, and stared blankly at the man’s face on the intercom screen.