章節 203: Once You Start Being Swayed (2)
"Screenplays are things that increase in polish after numerous drafts."
"It's more like she took the idea and rewrote the entire script though."
"That idea is the most important. There is no final draft without the first."
I propped my chin up and stared at Director Joo Jaechan. He looked like he desperately wanted to escape from this embarrassing and uncomfortable situation. Director Joo Jaechan forced a smile as though he was suppressing his emotions.
"Did you perhaps talk to Director Oh Hyunkyung? I don't know what she told you, but the matter has been settled internally. She caused a ruckus at the film production company not long ago. There's a reason why the investors want to assign the project to me instead of her… You also said that you liked my directing."
His eyes gradually began to shine with madness.
"This is a project I must direct with my own hands. It's true."
I knew it too.
That it would become a great work in his hands.
While he couldn't keep his hands still, crossing and uncrossing his fingers, I said,
"Will there be any problems in the future?"
"Pardon? Problems?"
"Director Oh Hyunkyung. She seemed very attached to the scenario. It'll become noisy if she files a lawsuit once the movie goes into production. Articles will also mention actors' names."
Director Joo Jaechan blinked. Then, with an excited face, he jumped from his seat.
"You do not need to worry about that! No one would film a movie if you could sue investment and production companies with this. Who would work with a director like that?"
He glanced at my expression before chatting more excitedly.
"This. She already signed over the rights to the production company. Because the production company is adjusting the movie's budget, they'll have to do their best to cooperate with investment companies. That is why a lawsuit isn't worth mentioning."
"Not worth mentioning."
"Yes, Director Oh Hyunkyung will be credited as an embellishing writer. There are cases where a scenario goes through various writers, so you can't argue that it is your work because you edited it. This is how it works in this industry."
I nodded.
"That's right. That is how this industry works."
Around the time our talk was about to end, an employee knocked on the meeting room door.
"Team Leader Jung, you have another guest. The mood is a bit…"
The whispering employee trailed his words. Director Oh Hyunkyung approached from the half-opened door. She looked like she aged ten years. Thick veins filled her eyes, making the whites in her eyes look red.
"Sorry for barging in again, team leader!"
She bowed then stood rigid in place as though struck by lightning when she noticed Director Joo Jaechan. The person who looked like she was about to die now looked like she was ready to kill.
"You rat-faces bast…!"
"What great timing. I just happened to finish talking with the team leader.
Director Joo Jaechan nonchalantly stood up.
"Then I will await your call, team leader."
He bid farewell, as though showing off to her, before passing her. Even though this took less than a minute, Director Oh Hyunkyung's complexion went from deathly black to pale white. She faltered like she had lost her spirit and sat down in the seat in front of her.
"How much of the situation did he tell you…"
"That the main investment company opposed casting Joyoon hyung, and that the director was likely to be replaced. This is the most unsettling production circumstances I have encountered so far."
Director Oh Hyungkyung's head drooped.
"I am truly sorry that things ended up this way after proposing it to you so confidently. I was sincere when I said that I thought Mr. Nam Joyoon was perfect as the male lead. This was something I should have persuaded the investment company. But the situation suddenly…"
"Of course, investment companies may have different options on the cast than you. Because they also have a big say on the matter. I understand the situation. What are you planning on doing now?"
As if my words stung, Director Oh Hyunkyung flinched. She simply opened and closed her dry lips for a moment before hastily getting up. She desperately pleaded,
"Team leader, I know this is a shameless request, but if you really like the scenario, could you consider Ms. Lee Songha or Ms. Son Chaeyoung for the female lead? Then I could try to persuade the investment companies again. If you have any conditions, I'll definitely…!"
Her teary voice dampened. She had been avoiding my gaze, worried about what my reaction would be, but now she raised her head and checked my expression. The next moment, her face dropped in despair.
*
I am in my mid-forties. An age overflowing with dignity.
I was the CEO of a global management company who wore a classic suit, one that those British secret service agents would wear, and worked in a luxurious office akin to that of a penthouse apartment. After convincing myself this, I became more comfortable in confronting CEO Baek Hansung.
"Did you bring your resignation letter?"
Ah, damn it.
"Resignation letter?"
"That's the type of face you're making. You've been glaring at me for a while now."
"My face is always like that."
"I know that, but it seems particularly resistive today."
CEO Baek Hansung laughed in a low voice before asking,
"If not a resignation letter, have you come to prepare an exclusive contract?"
"Will you even do that?"
"If you want. I told you that I'll manage you like a celebrity. Do you also want a signing fee?"
"I want to do City Jungle."
I poured cold water onto the warming mood.
"I tried to forcefully give it up, but it felt like my insides were turning.
"Team Leader Jung."
"Even celebrities can express their opinion when they aren't considered rookies anymore. Whether it's years of experience or fame, I believe I have passed that of a rookie. Also, above all, you are someone who respects the option of the celebrity."
I gave some lip service at the end, but the mood was still chilly. I felt like I would freeze to death.
CEO Baek Hansung frowned.
"Did I not say it so that you understand? Other celebrities can get back up if they fail once, however, your title is like a sand castle. Once you fail, its strategic value collapses. I had thought I gave you a great offer."
"I also think that it was a great offer since I would be walking a smooth path if I just do as the company decides. If I just follow that path, my career would also be excellent. It's a great opportunity.
"So you are aware. Then why?"
"I had a similar experience. Once you start on that path, you end up getting hung up on it like an addict. And if that path cuts off, you get withdraw symptoms like a crazy person. It'll become difficult to take a single step on my own."
I swept away all thoughts on going on different paths and stared at CEO Baek Hansung. He was also staring at me. He no longer kept up his composure and gentle smile. He had no expression.
I brought up my conclusion, which I had wrung my brain to come to.
"That is why, rather than getting swayed my opportunities, I plan on using them."
"How?"
If a movie with a high risk of failure was a problem…
"I will increase the movie's potential with my own hands."
Strategic value. A sand-castle-like title.
In order to not get hung up on those things, I will create my own worth through my own ways.
*
"A declaration of war."
"He's the only one who's ever declared war on the CEO. He'll be the only one ever."
"Even the Team 2 Leader, who's been at the company for so long, was cut off in an instant. Where does he get the courage? I think he's a sociopath or something. How can a normal person with over two years of experience declare war to his CEO's face?"
I corrected the fellows who were chatting near my desk so that I could hear.
"It wasn't to the point of declaring war."
"If you said, 'Screw you, I'm going to do things my way,' then that's a declaration of war."
"Did you prepare a resignation letter? You might end up having to leave without saying goodbye, so wouldn't it be best if we had a farewell party ahead of time?"
The Team 3 Leader, Kim Hyunjo, Chief Lee Bongjoon, and Chief Sung Uimin said one after the other. While they were joking, their faces were wrought with worry. Like they were certain I was going to be fired soon.
"Have you become tired of company life? Do you just want to act crookedly?"
"I'm not tired, rather I'm completely motivated."
"What?"
Amongst their dumbfounded faces, Kim Hyunjo rubbed his face as he asked,
"So what are you going to do now?"
The first place I went to was the outdoor filming set, a mud pool, of Good Friends. After greeting Producer Yoo Sooyoung, who became the main Good Friends producer after completing Making Film, I went to see the girls. They were on as guests as part of their comeback special, so all four of them rushed over to me.
Covered in mud.
"Don't come over."
"Why! Rather than giving us hugs for our hard work, are you running away from us because we are dirty? Were you that type of person?"
"I am. Don't come over."
"I don't want to!"
The four of them stuck to me, and soon, I was covered in mud. Lee Kwanwoo simply flinched his hands as he watched from afar. He seemed to have already been caught as his thick arms coming out his t-shirt and neck were covered in mud.
LJ even rubbed mud under my shirt as she grinned.
"Take a look since you're here. Today's shoot is dirty and fun."
"Keep it dirty and fun. I have things to do."
"How is a manager busier than his girl group, who just made a comeback?!"
Im Seoyoung grumbled. At least they had the energy to chitchat. Lee Taehee simply breathed, completely exhausted. She seemed to have been stuck in the mud the longest as her appearance was the most spectacular.
Lee Songha avoided my gaze as she asked,
"I look like the poop emoji right now. Should I go take a shower?"
"No, you look good, like microwaved chocolate ice cream."
"Chocolate ice cream?"
Her voice brightened. Lee Songha glanced at my face before smiling.
"Your face looks brighter."
"Yeah, thanks for the mud pack. I put a scenario in the passenger seat for you,"
"A scenario? Did you come here to give me that?"
Lee Songha's eyes shined. I nonchalantly shrugged.
I was worried she would pick it if I showed that I was interested in it.
"For multiple reasons. I wanted to see you girls before you went on your out-of-city schedule and give you a new scenario I received so that you could read it during your free time. Let me know if you're interested."
Like someone said, a project was chosen by both the manager and celebrity.
I left the set and drove to a small supermarket near a one-room apartment. Nam Joyoon was putting rice, curry, black bean sauce, meatballs and the like in a yellow shopping basket.{1} He made an awkward expression when he saw me.
"How did you know I was here?"
"It's not like it's my first time seeing you. You're probably buying stuff to fill your fridge with since I was coming over."
Nam Joyoon just laughed. I stacked his basket with rice and fruits and placed it on the counter as I said,
"I brought over another scenario."
"Movie?"
"Yes. I think it's best to read up to this one and decide on your next project. I'll ask a nutritionist to set up a diet for you, so follow that starting tomorrow. You need to maintain your body if you are going to work all day and night."
Nam Joyoon's expression completely changed when I mentioned filming.
The expression of the middle-aged woman at the counter also changed.
"Did you get a job? Oh, that's great news when you were going around with nothing to do!"
After leaving Nam Joyoon, who was the official bum in his neighborhood, I dropped by my house. I wiped away the mud still stuck here and there, paid particular attention to my attire, and once I had a clean appearance like a salesman, I drove out to Chungmuro.
Amongst the densely populated forest of buildings, I found one with a huge banner of Alive and entered.
The moment SBE Film's project producer saw my face, he shook his head.
"I don't have any. Really."
"What?"
"Didn't you come to ask for any new, good scenarios?"
"Not today."
Only then did he greet me happily and led the way.
"I definitely thought you had a condition for coming. I'm now more afraid of phone calls from you than debt collectors. I told you I will contact you when we receive a good scenario. We have our relationship from Alive. It's a promise."
"How many times have you made that promise?"
"Ah, but all the good scenarios have dried up these days. There are none!"
We entered the meeting room while joking. An employee quickly brought over some drinks.
"But if you didn't come to see scenarios, then why…?"
"I wanted to show you something."
"You do? Show me?"
I handed the project producer an envelope. He received it with a dazed face before taking the City Jungle scenario out of it. After scanning the title and synopsis, his face became even more perplexed.
"It's a scenario? I think I saw this before?"
"It also came to SBE?"
"Unless a production company has an idea and is setting it up with a writer and director, most scenarios floating around Chungmuro without a production company usually pass through our company. We reject most of them for various reasons. I think this was one of them."
"Was it not good?"
"I don't remember it well, but it probably was if we rejected it."
He closed the scenario he was glancing through and asked,
"But why did you come over to a production company with a scenario… Don't tell me W&U is interested in production films? Is this a project W&U is investing in?"
"No, I am."
I replied while shaking my head.
The project producer frowned like he had just heard some amazing nonsense.
{1} Those are references to well-known instant foods.
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