Chapter 17: Plot twist (2)

Translator: Dreamscribe

At Hong Hye-yeon’s answer, the CEO, paused at the shoe rack, covered his face with one hand. He looked very tired.

“Ah- geez. Suddenly I want a short one.”

Then, Hong Hye-yeon, with her arms crossed, grumbled a bit.

“Why? I mean, it’s just a slight craving, isn’t it? I didn’t say I’m going to do that short film, why are you overreacting?”

“······You’re the one overreacting. Hey, when you get a craving, you usually give in. Don’t I know you?”

Soon, the CEO roughly took off the shoe he was in the middle of taking off.

“Why would the lead actress of ‘Profiler Hanryang’ suddenly want a short film? I would understand if there weren’t many big scripts coming in. Huh? They’re coming in from medium to large by genre, why specifically a short film?”

He grumbled as he moved to sit on the living room sofa. The CEO’s reaction was not as strong as expected. Probably because he was used to Hong Hye-yeon’s sudden outbursts. Anyway, Hong Hye-yeon in her pajamas took a seat next to him, and the CEO let out a small sigh.

“Hold on a moment, let me sort things out.”

The CEO, Choi Sung-gun, who suddenly started to sort out his thoughts. He was the CEO of bw Entertainment, a startup company and the agency of top actress Hong Hye-yeon. He appeared to be in his late 30s with long hair tied back.

He wore glasses without frames, but there was a hint of playfulness in his demeanor.

“Hmm-”

Despite his overwhelmingly laid-back atmosphere, Choi Sung-gun had been in the entertainment industry for over 10 years and was quick-witted. Not only was he observant, but his handling of situations was also excellent.

Choi Sung-gun had a wide network due to his unique personality.

Hong Hye-yeon and Choi Sung-gun had been together since her debut, and it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that he made Hong Hye-yeon who she is today.

Their relationship was a well-known story in the entertainment industry.

Hong Hye-yeon recognized his ability, so when he founded bw Entertainment, she happily joined, and a considerable amount of Hong Hye-yeon’s funds went into bw Entertainment. In other words, Hong Hye-yeon was both an investor in bw and its main attraction.

At this point.

“The title of the short film is ‘Exorcism’, right?”

CEO Choi Sung-gun asked, leaning back on the sofa, and Hong Hye-yeon answered with her legs crossed.

“Yeah, ‘Exorcism’.”

“You mean to look into the current situation. Do you mean to just look into the history of that movie?”

“Yeah, right down to the smallest details.”

“Well- It’s not hard to collect the information by visiting a few independent short film companies. Ah, it’s suddenly annoying. If there’s no script at all, it be hard for me too?”

“No, no, it should be something since it’s been talked about by PD Song. Oh, and you remember Director Shin Dong-chun, right?”

“I know. The guy who used to make good dramas and then suddenly said he was going to make a movie and disappeared…wait, could it be?”

“Right. ‘Exorcism’, it’s said to be written by that director.”

CEO Choi Sung-gun’s eyes widened slightly for a moment.

“Really? It seems that starting with PD Song Man-woo, the characters around him are somewhat unique, aren’t they?”

“Isn’t it?”

“So what will you do for me if I look into it?”

“What are you talking about? Don’t you know I’m feeding you?”

“That can’t be just your own strength, right? How about this—what about the shampoo commercial you messed up this time? How about renegotiating that?”

Hong Hye-yeon immediately grumbled.

“Ugh, the marketing manager there is a total nutcase.”

“I’m going to push for a renegotiation with the condition that we exclude that manager from the panel. Deal?”

“Damn it. Why does an agency’s CEO get to do whatever he wants?”

“It’s because our artists are just so talented.”

Hong Hye-yeon, who slapped the CEO’s shoulder, clicked her tongue lightly.

“Okay, but can we really exclude that manager?”

“Okay- Now, explain to me.”

“What?”

CEO Choi Sung-gun, who had already done the math in his head, pushed up his glasses and smiled.

“Why did you suddenly take an interest in ‘Exorcism’? Don’t beat around the bush saying it’s because of PD Song man-woo or Director Shin Dong-chun. It won’t work. Tell me something definite.”

“······Sigh.”

Hong Hye-yeon, who swept her long hair back, slightly clenched her jaw.

“There’s a guy named Kang Woojin.”

“Who is he? Your new boyfriend?”

“Are you crazy? When do I have a boyfriend! He’s an actor, an actor.”

“An actor? I’ve never heard of him. Tell me more.”

Then, Hong Hye-yeon unraveled the bundle of stories she had been hiding until now. From the moment she met this strange character, Kang Woojin, until now. What’s interesting is that CEO Choi Sung-gun’s face was filled with shock as he listened to her.

So, about 10 minutes.

“Are you done??”

Hong Hye-yeon, who had recited the entire story, and CEO Choi Sung-gun, who was scratching the tied long hair, let out a faint sigh.

“PD Song and Writer Park Eun-mi did all that for Kang Woojin? No, why would she, whom even the top stars beg, feel unsatisfied?”

“It’s not about the level. They are people who are crazy about production.”

“······That’s true, but it’s interesting.”

To CEO Choi Sung-gun, who is the head of an entertainment company, PD Song man-woo and Writer Park Eun-mi were nothing short of mountains. No, not only that, but most people in the industry would see it that way.

Therefore, CEO Choi Sung-gun became more curious about the actor Kang Woojin.

“From the beginning, his filmography is… peculiar, this guy.”

“His acting is self-taught, and he might have been abroad. According to PD Song, he must have had a hard time.”

“Abroad? Hmm- Well, if he were in a theatre company, I would have definitely heard of him.”

Choi Sung-gun, who had finished listening to the story, met Hong Hye-yeon’s eyes and smiled.

“So, you’ve got a taste for Kang Woojin’s acting. Rather than being attracted to ‘Exorcism’ itself.”

“No, it’s not like that!!”

“Why are you bluffing? You haven’t even read the ‘Exorcism’ script yet, have you?”

“······”

At that moment.

“Brother.”

Hong Hye-yeon, who had been glaring at President Choi Sung-gun next to her, suddenly changed the subject.

“How much money do we have?”

“Suddenly? What kind of conversation is this?”

“Do we have room to spare? If not, it would be nice to prepare some. Half of war is preparation, isn’t it? It’s strange for a rookie to receive a signing bonus, but he’s already a bit strange, so it doesn’t matter. And you also need to do some running on the field as a manager after a long time. Take care of him in a way that feels close.”

“Hey, hey, you’re not serious.”

Hong Hye-yeon, who had frowned, shouted as an investor to the CEO.

“Ah, I’m sure someone will snatch him up right after his script reading.”

Thursday morning, the 20th. A cinema near Ori Station.

It was around 9 o’clock. Perhaps because it was a morning show, the cinema was very quiet. Among them, Kang Woojin, who was sitting on the waiting sofa, was seen. He was alone. He was wearing a long padded coat and a hat.

So why is Kang Woojin alone in the cinema at this time?

The answer was simple. Because he recently started his acting career, he developed an interest in various contents that he didn’t have before. Therefore, Woojin came to watch a movie alone for the first time since he was born. Even as a morning show.

Anyway.

-Swoosh.

While waiting for the movie time, Woojin was looking down at his cell phone.

“It was the Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival, right?”

Kang Woojin, who had his cell phone in his hand, searched for something. Actually, Woojin had tried to search for the same thing after meeting Director Shin Dong-chun yesterday. However, he felt like he should check it in more detail since he had some time left.

“The most authoritative awards ceremony in the short film market- It’s the largest festival and has the highest credibility.”

While checking the search results for the ‘Mise-en-scène Short Film Festival’, Woojin remembered his conversation with Director Shin Dong-chun, who he had visited yesterday morning.

It started with Director Shin Dong-chun, whose eye were red.

The part where he asked Kang Woojin to play the main character of ‘Exorcism’.

“Please play the main character of ‘Exorcism’, Kim Ryu-jin.”

At that time, Woojin was slightly dumbfounded. It was natural because the crying guy suddenly asked him to play the main character. Therefore, Woojin kept silent, and Director Shin Dong-chun continued to explain on his own.

“Actually, ‘Exorcism’ is not a movie made for the public. It’s a work intended for film festivals.”

“For film festivals, you mean?”

“Yes. It’s called the ‘Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival’. Like Blue Dragon or Baeksang for commercial movies, the ‘Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival’ is considered the best for short films. It has a long tradition. It will take place in mid-April, two months from now. I am aiming for that. The situation is a bit urgent.”

“……….”

“Among filmmakers, its recognition is almost at the level of the Blue Dragon, so almost no one is unaware of it. Ah, of course, you, Woojin, would know.”

No? This was the first time I had heard of such a film festival. However, Woojin nodded his head, maintaining as solemn an expression as possible.

“Yes, roughly.”

“As you know, the jury of the ‘Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival’ consists of renowned domestic directors, and the rookie directors who win awards at this film festival have a clear path. Among the directors who judge and are doing well, there are many alumni from the ‘Mise-en-Scène Film Festival’.”

Woojin roughly understood it to be like a film industry audition talent show. There were quite a few celebrities who appeared on past audition talent shows and are now top stars.

Around this time, director Shin Dong-chun’s expression darkened a bit.

“But the competition is fierce; more than 600 works are submitted each year, it’s so intense that even the decent short films get buried. It’s a lottery even to be among the 40 works in the main competition.”

“It’s war.”

“Ah, that’s right. It’s a battlefield for so-called directors who make some films. It’s a gateway for film directors. Many top actors attend as honorary judges, and many celebrities in the industry are quite involved. So if you win the Grand Prize, you instantly become a popular star as a rookie director.”

Although Director Shin Dong-chun omitted it, there were many cases where actors became famous through this film festival. It’s not uncommon for shorts to be remade as commercial films.

However, if there are no good works, the Grand Prize itself is not awarded.

Although its history exceeds 20 years, the number of Grand Prize-winning works was only 10. Hence, if you win the Grand Prize at the ‘Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival’, you gain fame in the industry. But non-mainstream is non-mainstream.

Many people didn’t know about the short film festival.

“The evaluation standards are very strict. It’s only natural since the master directors are judging. The script of the work, the direction, the acting of the cast, etc. Among them, the direction and the actor’s acting take the highest score.”

Even a rough listen suggested it was insanely difficult. At least in Kang Woojin’s thinking. It was like passing through a narrow needle hole. Woojin judged that it would be a hundred times better to be rejected dozens of times by a design client.

‘It’s a prestigious film festival.’

Around this time, director Shin Dong-chun, whose eyes were red, said.

“Actually, the production situation of ‘Exorcism’ is not very good now.”

He summarized all the about the short film ‘Exorcism’.

And then.

“But none of this is needed now. I will give up everything – the film company I was talking about, the investment, the actors. I will start again from the beginning. Of course, based on you, Kang Woojin. So please take the role of Kim Ryu-jin.”

“……….”

What, a complete reset? Is this because of me? The situation has escalated. Woojin tried to discourage him while struggling to maintain his poker face. The director with the square jaw was too excited.

“Director, you don’t have to push yourself too much.”

“It’s not overdoing!”

But it had the opposite effect. Director Shin Dong-chun was even more determined by Woojin’s dissuasion. The adrenaline exploded.

“I must do this. I will take on any discomfort. Don’t worry, I will somehow reset it to the starting point. So all I ask of you, Woojin, is to act.”

“Ah.”

“Please take the role of Kim Ryu-jin. A character comes to life when an actor who loves and is attached to the character portrays it. Please give it a try, Woojin.”

It was too much. Director Shin Dong-chun’s adrenaline secretion was overflowing. Just a moment ago, he was sobbing. Because he was too stubborn, Kang Woojin felt that it was impossible to discourage him.

Well, does it matter?

Although the situation had escalated more than expected, in any case, Woojin had achieved his initial goal. Whether it’s a film festival or a Grand Prize or whatnot, just act.

Having drawn a conclusion, Kang Woojin extended his hand to director Shin Dong-chun, whose eyes were gleaming. Quite coolly.

“I look forward to working with you, Director.”

Remembering up to this point, Kang Woojin returned to the reality of being in a movie theater. And immediately checked the time.

“Ah, it’s about time.”

It was time to move. Because the movie time was near. Soon, when Woojin was about to move to the screening room.

“Um- but.”

Suddenly, he, who had been thinking about ‘Exorcism’, said.

“I wonder if Park Jung-hyuk, the actor initially chosen as the main character for the white washing thing or whatever, will get upset? He might become angry.”

He casually muttered.

“Well, it’s none of my business.”

A few hours later, Nonhyeon-dong GGO Entertainment.

Around early lunchtime. The office of the large GGO Entertainment.

Suddenly, a loud voice erupted in the office adorned with various pot plants.

“What?! They rejected us?!”

The figure who spat out the outcry was the CEO of GGO Entertainment, Seo Gu-seob. He was short and had a face resembling a bulldog. He yelled again at the male employee standing in front of him.

“What the hell are you talking about?! Everything was going smoothly until yesterday!”

At his shouting, the employee shriveled up and managed to respond.

“…Well, I just got the call. The Blue View Film Company also made its decision this morning.”

“What?!”

“‘Exorcism’ director wants to backtrack on everything that was in progress. That includes not only the mentioned actors and investment, but also seems to have cut ties with Blue View Cinema.”

The message was that the ongoing plan had been completely overturned. All because of the words of ‘Exorcism’ director. In other words, GGO Entertainment was outright rejected by director Shin Dong-chun.

At this, the bulldog-like CEO Seo Gu-seob gritted his teeth.

“How dare… he reject me. Reject GGO Entertainment?”

CEO Seo Gu-seob was more enraged by the fact that he and GGO Entertainment had been rejected, rather than the overturning of the plan. It was a scratch on his pride.

“I’ve known Shin Dong-chun since his PD days, and even cared about his scenario, that guy is a really terrible guy, huh?”

“…”

“He’s campaigning with such a ridiculous scenario. Tsk!”

Soon, CEO Seo Gu-seob, who had hit the desk hard, turned his head to the right. A man with a rather imposing look sat on a luxury five-seater sofa. He shouted at him.

“Hey, Jung-hyuk! Forget about ‘Exorcism’! Choose another scenario! Dammit, a short film going to the ‘Mise-en-scène Film Festival’ is trivial, trivial!”

The man was Park Jung-hyuk. The mastermind who wanted to wash his image with ‘Exorcism’. A former top actor. His popularity wasn’t as high as before, but it was still fairly high.

He responded while crossing his legs.

“I know there are plenty of alternative short films. CEO, isn’t it a bit unexpected that we got rejected? There were no issues yesterday, right?”

“…”

CEO Seo Gu-seob, who exchanged glances with Park Jung-hyuk, suddenly wore a serious expression. Then, he deeply sat down on the chair and picked up a pack of cigarettes on the desk.

“Director Shin Dong-chun, who was cornered at the brink, has had a change of heart overnight – even to the extent of hastily overturning everything in progress, including investment and Jung-hyuk…”

After thinking for about 10 seconds, CEO Seo Gu-seob, who was deep in thought, reached a conclusion while taking a puff of his cigarette.

“Did Director Shin Dong-chun cast another actor as the main male lead?”

He elaborated on that conclusion.

“At least an A grade, or maybe even top-tier?”

*****