Kapitel 425: Chapter 425: Fate Has Run Its Course
Kim Hee-sun was only 18 years old this year. Last year, she made her debut and had just entered Korea's Chung-Ang University.
Arthur hadn't expected that, with a drink in hand and sitting next to him, was Kim Hee-sun. He glanced at Lee Jay-hyun sitting beside him.
Lee Jay-hyun smiled and whispered, "She's a newcomer, a university student, not yet noticed by others.
Alright, I'll take my leave now. If anything comes up, just give me a call."
After Lee Jay-hyun left, Arthur poured himself a drink and looked at the slightly uneasy Kim Hee-sun sitting beside him.
"Do you speak English?"
"Yes, a little," Kim Hee-sun said, resting her hands on her knees, feeling a bit nervous.
Arthur smiled. "Do you know who just left?"
Kim Hee-sun nodded, "He's the heir of CJ Group and also part of the Samsung Lee family."
"Here, have a drink with me," Arthur handed her a glass of wine.
Kim Hee-sun took the glass, glanced at Arthur, and took a sip. She wasn't sure how to handle this topic, and moreover, his identity was more intimidating -- a Hollywood entertainment mogul, the youngest American billionaire on the Forbes list!
"Are you shooting a TV series now?"
"Yes, I entered the entertainment industry after winning the SMART Model Contest and played my first role last year," Kim Hee-sun responded. "This year, I'm involved in two TV series, but as a newcomer, I haven't been offered any movie roles yet." As she spoke, Kim Hee-sun proactively poured Arthur another drink.
"Let's go dance," Arthur said, standing up from the sofa and holding Kim Hee-sun's hand as they headed to the main dance floor outside.
Itaewon, right next to the US Yongsan base, had a reputation from its earlier days as a Japanese base, becoming a renowned red-light district in Seoul.
"Plenty of American soldiers here," Arthur commented, holding Kim Hee-sun by the shoulders and noticing many foreigners in the dim dance hall.
"Yes, there are always many in Seoul," Kim Hee-sun wrapped her arms around his waist.
Arthur leaned in and whispered something in Kim Hee-sun's ear, making her giggle.
In the dim dance hall, Arthur and Kim Hee-sun kissed. Being new to this, Kim Hee-sun was no match for Arthur and quickly surrendered.
"Let's head back," Arthur suggested, holding Kim Hee-sun by the waist and kissing her earlobe. Kim Hee-sun nodded gently, leaning against Arthur.
...
After spending a bit more time at the nightclub, Arthur took Kim Hee-sun to the Seoul Grand Hyatt Hotel on Namsan, near Itaewon.
"Sir," in the suite's living room, Kim Hee-sun whispered breathlessly as she parted lips with Arthur.
"Come on, call me oppa," Arthur smiled, caressing the lady's thigh. "Haven't had a boyfriend before?"
Kim Hee-sun shook her head. "Not yet, I just want to focus on my career. When I participated in the TV shoot, I felt my acting was lacking; that's why I entered the Drama Department at Chung-Ang University!"
"That's great," Arthur remarked, taking off Kim Hee-sun's shirt and pressing her beneath him, kissing her neck.
As he moved down, Kim Hee-sun moaned faintly, feeling her undergarments being taken off by Arthur.
"What's up?" Arthur asked, looking down at her.
"Oppa, let's go to the bedroom," Kim Hee-sun suggested, wishing to move things to the bed.
Arthur nodded, but just as he was about to stand, the phone beside them rang. He sat back on the sofa to answer it, pulling the shirtless Kim Hee-sun into his arms.
"Boss, this is Anna," Arthur's assistant called.
"Oh, what's up?"
"Carolco Pictures is facing a deadline for a $55 million debt interest, but they can't pay it and are preparing to file for bankruptcy."
"Carolco is applying for bankruptcy now?" Arthur had anticipated this, but it felt a tad early.
Showgirls and Cutthroat Island haven't even been released yet?" Arthur commented, caressing Kim Hee-sun's softness in his arms. Kim Hee-sun dared not make a sound and initiated kisses on Arthur's neck and chest.
"Showgirls is rated NC-17 and will come out in August, but the other, Cutthroat Island, cost $92 million to make and has faced endless problems," Anna Walker explained over the phone, a bit concerned, given that MGM was slated to distribute both films.
Cutthroat Island had overbudgeted so much that even director Renny Harlin had to chip in $2 million out of pocket to finish filming! Carolco's investment of $90 million for Cutthroat Island was undoubtedly a bold move, and with subsequent distribution costs, the film was bound to exceed $100 million in spending.
Carolco aimed to develop something akin to or exceeding Terminator 2: Judgment Day -- a conspicuous ambition! With special effects still underdeveloped, the crew opted for full water-based live-action filming to produce superior visuals, and all the actors performed their own stunts.
Such expenses backfired on Carolco, and with the movies unreleased, they were already prepping for bankruptcy?
"Plenty of companies must be eyeing Carolco's assets, right?" Arthur conjectured. Carolco held the rights to Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and the production rights to the sequel, Terminator 3, were undoubtedly the most valuable.
"Yes, 20th Century Fox has offered $55 million to acquire Carolco," answered Anna. Arthur could see why; James Cameron was developing Titanic with 20th Century Fox, and the Terminator series was clearly one of his major franchises. If James Cameron wanted to direct Terminator 3, Fox would certainly want to secure those rights for him!
"What about other contenders?" Arthur inquired, laying back on the sofa, feeling more fiery with Kim Hee-sun in his arms.
"A French pay-TV channel has bid $60 million to purchase Carolco," Anna continued, "but Carolco hasn't agreed yet. The bankruptcy application is still being processed; they need bank approval for all of this!"
"I understand. Just proceed with the releases of Showgirls and Cutthroat Island as planned."
One film was NC-17, while the other had been plagued with troubles since filming commenced. It seemed like Carolco's fate had run its course.
After hanging up the phone, Arthur carried Kim Hee-sun straight to the bedroom.
*****
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Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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