Bab 131: Long Grudges (2)
Quick correction with the film budget…
The film Nam Joyoon was in originally had a 3.5-billion won budget,
When Ace swooped in, it became a 10-billion won,
And the new movie has a budget of 34-billion won.}
"Ah, my stomach hurts! Damn it! It hurts so much I could die!"{1}
It was the meeting room of the movie production company, SBE Films.
The project producer tossed his tablet aside. The middle-aged man with his eyes glued to an actor's profile, Director Choi Sungwon, sitting beside him smiled with wrinkled eyes.
"If you have a stomach ache, go to the washroom."
"Director Choi! That's not what I mean!"
"Does it hurt a lot? Then go to the hospital. I'll handle the meeting on my own."
"That's not it. I have a stomach ache because of this!"
The project producer pushed his tablet to Director Choi Sungwon.
Director Choi looked at the screen. The headline was written in huge letters.
{Jung Sunwoo, the man who made an international star, temporarily returns to Korea for a new movie? What kind of movie is it?}
"Damn it, we already planned out a promotion strategy around Chief Jung Sunwoo!"
"You should have released an article before they did it first."
"They haven't signed the contract yet! I was going to ask him during our meeting today and release it right away! Our reporters were all waiting!"
The red-faced project producer gulped down a glass of cold water.
Director Choi rubbed his wispy beard as he said,
"Then why not release articles now?"
"The other film is already sucking all the benefits, what do we become if we break the news now? We'll be sidelined. Also, we look like we're trying to suck up whatever's left! So humiliating!"
"Then don't release it."
"… Hyung, just keep looking at the profiles. Don't make me burst."
The project producer gnashed before raising his cup. It was empty.
"Damn it!"
The project producer swore as he beat his chest. It wouldn't be strange if he collapsed from oxygen deprivation.
Director Choi Sungwon handed him his own cup and said,
"Movies only need to be good. Promotions are a minor issue."
"Are we in the 90s? All projects need to be good. Huge box office successes are created by pouring money into promotions. We poured 8 billion into marketing this time. It's that important. That's why Ace is pouring articles out about this!"
The project producer emptied Director Choi's cup in one go and grumbled,
"Chief Jung Sunwoo, I didn't think of him like that. So mean."
"Now what's wrong with him?"
"We decided to meet with us today but gives the articles about his new project to some other project! Morals still exist! He went too far! He should have at least told us before the articles went up…!"
The project producer didn't finish his sentence.
It was noisy outside. He saw a man in a suit outside the clear glass door. He walked straight towards them as he took off his sunglasses, revealing sharp, cold appearance.
The female employee who guided them to the meeting room entered first.
"The guests have already, should I prepare coffee?"
"What coffee? Bring cold water."
The project producer frowned.
"That guy's an actor?"
Director Choi abruptly said.
"What actor? He's Chief Jung Sunwoo. Wear glasses if you can't see."
"No, not him, the one behind him."
The project producer turned his gaze. He finally saw an unfamiliar man behind Chief Jung Sunwoo. He had a handsome face, a good body, but as someone who had met almost all the top stars in the country, he wasn't especially eye-catching.
"Is he a rookie from W&U? Where did you see him? It's my first time seeing him."
"It's my first time too."
The project producer frowned.
"How do you know he's an actor when it's your first time seeing him?"
"I can tell just by looking at him. He has the aura."
"What aura? Put your glasses on."
The project producer pushed his chair back and got up as he said in a grumbling manner,
"A contract is a contract, but I can't stop myself from saying something because of how much it hurts."
***
The project producer had a sour look on his face.
It was expected since he would have seen the articles plastered on the internet.
Just as we sat down, he said in a clear voice,
"I saw the articles."
"Ah, the articles."
I replied while rubbing my chin like I didn't know what was going on.
"I can understand Ace Distribution Company breaking the news since they wouldn't have wanted to lose such a big marketing opportunity, but still, we just haven't signed, didn't we already have a verbal agreement?"
The project producer continued while trying to suppress his temper,
"Of course, we can't ask you to only help marketing our movie or anything like that, but morally, this is a bit awkward in our perspective since we had a lot of plans regarding marketing…"
"I know, right? I wonder why they published those articles?"
I said nonchalantly.
The project producer's eyes bulged. His expression was asking what I was saying.
Nam Joyoon, who was sitting quietly next to me, stared at me.
With an awkward expression, or at least I tried to, I said,
"We decided not to be in that movie."
"… Not be in the movie?"
"Yes."
The project producer stared at me with a foolish expression before hastily looking at his tablet.
"Wait, wait. I don't understand. Then why is Ace releasing these articles… Did they just make a media ploy without talking with you?"
"If we did, I would have done an interview like I did for Royal Family."
The project producer leaned forward.
"Then all the articles being published right now are incorrect?"
"Yes, that was why I wanted to discuss this issue with you. I thought it would be best to act after discussing with SBE Films. Like you said, we only need to sign the contract."
"Uh, yes. Wait, that's quite an upright thought, please wait."
He mumbled as his eyes quickly moved in their sockets. Then he shot out of his chair. He opened the meeting room door and shouted,
"Producer Park! Contact Ms. Minjeong from the PR Team! Quickly!"
"Pardon? Right now?"
"Right now! It's urgent so tell her to come-! No, no! I'll do it!"
The project producer bolted out of the meeting room.
Then, within a second, he opened the door again and stuck his head in.
"Coffee! I'll get you coffee so please talk with the director for a bit!"
I saw the employees rushing about through the glass door.
Turning my gaze, I looked at the middle-aged man sitting next to the producer's now empty seat.
His greying hair and beard, gentle wrinkles, on the outside, he looked like a friendly neighborhood uncle, but there was no one in the film industry that didn't know his face.
Choi Sungwon.
He made a brilliant debut, winning the rookie director award 15 years ago. You couldn't count all the director awards he had won throughout his career with two hands, and he was the double-ten-million director having created two mega-hits that had audiences of more than 10 million people.
He was one of the top directors in the nation.
If Lee Songha wasn't confirmed for his next project, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to sit in front of him and talk. And whether I properly utilized this opportunity depended on my future actions.
I looked beside me. Nam Joyoon was looking at me.
Even though he was suddenly brought here, he looked trustworthy.
I wet my throat with the coffee an employee had brought me.
"I have something I want to talk to you about."
"If it's about PR, I don't know anything."
Director Choi Sungwon replied with a smile.
"It's not about PR but casting."
"Ah, casting."
"There's an actor I would like to introduce you to."
The director's gaze turned next to me. Nam Joyoon bowed as he greeted him.
"I am Nam Joyoon."
Their gazes met in mid-air.
Director Choi Sungwon, who looked at Nam Joyoon with an unreadable expression, asked,
"Is he grouped with Ms. Lee Songha? If it's about business, why don't you try persuading the producer? It looks like you are quite helpful in promoting the film and Ms. Lee Songha is currently at the center of attention so you should come to an agreement quickly."
"This is unrelated to W&U. Of course, I am not trying to bring him on as an add-on."
Director Choi Sungwon looked like he didn't expect this.
"We came because we didn't want to persuade a film company but you, director."
"Me?"
"Yes."
I placed my hand on Nam Joyoon's shoulder and said,
"Not with business but with acting."
***
A phone vibrated.
"Who is it?! Is it Nam Joyoon, that bastard?"
"Ah, no. It's Ace's Marketing Team Leader."
The assistant director said in a hoarse voice. Director Park vented by kicking objects in front of him. The wrecked trailer became even messier.
"What do we do? Director, are you not going to pick up?"
"There's nothing I can say even if I pick up! What do I say if I pick up? Do I tell him that those bastards have gone dark and I haven't said a word to them yet? Just let him be. I'll contact them once we finish talking with Nam Joyoon!"
Director Park said while pacing back and forth with an anxious face.
"Again. Refresh the page again. Are there any new articles?!"
The assistant director picked up the tablet. His face was also stiff with nervousness. After tapping the screen with his stiff fingers a few times, he suddenly became surprised.
"There are articles!"
"What? Did Jung Sunwoo, that bastard, do an interview?"
Director Park hastily came over.
The assistant director, who had been looking at the screen with a gloomy face, slumped his shoulders.
"Ah, it looks like a spam article. He didn't do an interview."
"I almost had a heart attack!"
Director Park rubbed his chest.
He slumped down on the sofa and mumbled,
"The bastard hasn't done an interview after going dark huh?"
"Why hasn't he?"
"Why do you think? Even after making such a mess, he doesn't plan on seriously leaving this project."
Director Park's lips twisted.
"He's dragging this on to screw me over, that shrewd bastard."
"Is-is that it?"
"If these bastards were really planning on not doing this movie, they would have already gone and talked to the reporters. Yet, they are quiet. They're saying they have the upper hand. After making me fret and fume, they will take us back once they get everything they want!"
"If that's it, then it's a relief…"
"What's a relief! When I have to bow my head at those bastards?!"
Just then, a phone began vibrating again.
Director Park's expression distorted.
"This is driving me crazy. Is it Ace again?"
"It looks like a message. One second."
The assistant director quickly checked his phone and his eyes popped.
"Director, I found Nam Joyoon and Chief Jung Sunwoo!"
"Did they contact you? What did those bastards say?"
"They didn't contact me, but Pan Production's youngest producer contacted me."
"Pan Production?"
The assistant director nodded.
"Yes, apparently, they are meeting CEO Kim Pansuk right now!"
***
"I truly don't have the face to see you."
CEO Kim Pansuk said with a gloomy expression.
I was about to reply when the office door swung open and Director Park rushed in. It seemed he ran up the stairs as he was panting. He looked around the office, and when he spotted us, he quickly came over.
"Director Park, why did you come here? You said you didn't want my measly investment?"
CEO Kim Pansuk said with a frown.
Flinching, Director Park scratched the back of his neck as he smiled gently.
"CEO, I will properly apologize for my words later. Like you said, I must have been crazy for a moment. I became too high strung from thinking about the project these days. I started this project with full trust in you, how could I go anywhere?"
The more he spoke, the colder CEO Kim Pansuk's expression became.
After examining his expression, Director Park coughed and looked at me like the issue with Nam Joyoon and me was more urgent. Alternating between us, he came over to me.
"Oh, Chief Jung, why could I get a hold of you?"
"Because I didn't answer."
Director Park's face became rotten at my reply.
If he was handed an ax, it felt like he would immediately strike my head. However, it was only for a few seconds. His face reverted to its awkward smile again. It was an uncomfortable smile, like he was wearing a mask.
"Yes, of course, you must have felt offended. I was very regretful when you and Mr. Joyoon left like that. No matter how much the distribution company told me to reduce Mr. Joyoon's role, as a director, I should have refused."
What a joke.
That was what CEO Kim Pansuk's expression read. It must be the same for me.
"I negotiated with the company. We're going to revert Mr. Joyoon's role to how it was, no, make it even bigger. Also, it looks like my assistant director offended you and I apologize for that as well."
Director Park looked at Nam Joyoon as he said this.
With the same mouth he told him to not even think about acting in this industry again.
"Director Park."
"There are always complications while making a movie. Like how there are contractions before birth. Just consider it like we drove away bad luck and cover up what happened in the trailer."
"That will be a little difficult."
I said while getting up. Director Park's eyebrows twitched.
His stabbing gaze followed my movements. Accompanied by a short click of his tongue, I heard Director Park's voice.
"I came and apologized like this. Is there something else you want from me? If there is, tell me so we can come to an agreement. If we're being honest, it's not like you plan on not doing this film either."
"Me?"
"Isn't that why you aren't doing an interview refuting the articles and at the production company? Let's resolve what we can and do an interview together-"
"That's not it."
I picked up the trash can next to the table.
"We came here for this."
I emptied the contents of the can in front of Director Park. Ripped paper piled up on his ankles.
Director Park's expression distorted.
"Just what is-!"
"The contract."
"… Wh-what?"
Standing foolishly for a moment, Director Park quickly rummaged through the paper shreds. After piecing together a few of them, his face paled. His clenched hands were trembling.
He looked up to me with a face full of confusion and rage.
I told him once more.
"I told you that we aren't doing this movie."
{1} You get a stomach ache if you're jealous
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