Chapter 203: Once You Start Being Swayed (1)
TL: emptycube / ED: Isleidir
“CEO! What are you trying to do?!”
“Director Oh, don’t act like this outside. Let’s go inside the meeting room-!”
“Are you embarrassed that rumors will spread that this is a mess? If you know that, then why do it!”
“No, that’s not it. Let’s sit and calm down-!”
“Do you think I can calm down? How can you do this to me!”
The one in frenzy was Director Oh Hyunkyung. She was almost yelling with hostility. The film production company CEO was stuck in the middle with a pale face soaked in cold sweat. It seemed he was trying to calm the fires as best he could, but Director Joo Jaechan poured oil to the fire.
“Why can’t he? You signed the contract and handed over the production rights for that scenario to the film production company. Then it’s their right to decide who to give the megaphone to. Isn’t that right?”
“We already decided that I would be the one directing!”
“There was no clause about it in the contract though?”
“CEO! You promised to leave it to me! City Jungle is my project!”
“Of course, I would like to…!”
“If you want to get to the nitty-gritty, then it’s my project! I’m the original writer who wrote the first draft! All you did was take it and embellish it a little!”
“What did you say? You rat!”
The argument quickly became a dog fight. They acted like they were the victims.
I pushed the brim of my hat down. I acted like a spectator who was hesitating on whether to call 112 or not. The employees were so dumbstruck that they didn’t have the time to concern themselves with a spectator next to the door.
“Director Oh Hyunkyung. This is a business matter.”
Someone joined in with a sigh. It was a man wearing a suit and sitting on an empty table. He seemed to a man of influence as they immediately quieted down. Their gazes were all focused on him.
“From an investor’s perspective, we have decided that, unless it’s a famous director, it would be better to go with a rookie director who won an award at a film festival than Director Oh. The picture will be good since he’s also the original writer. There have been cases where a director’s debuting film becomes a huge hit and people cause a fuss about how he’s a monster rookie.”
“Director!”
“What’s important is that the film is a success. How about we settle this matter peacefully with you handing the megaphone over to him and getting credited as an embellishment writer.”
Director Oh Hyunkyung’s face turned red and pale at the man’s words. The film production company CEO went over and said something to him, but he was steadfast with his decision. Director Oh Hyunkyung tried her best to persuade him and finally said with a desperate face,
“I have currently made an offer to W&U’s Team Leader Jung Sunwoo to cast the male lead.”
“Team Leader Jung Sunwoo? Is he interested in the scenario?”
My name was suddenly brought up. Their reactions were immediate. Director Joo Jaechan’s eyes were wide open, and the CEO seemed to be in a sticky situation. Finally, the man in the suit, who seemed to be part of the investors, rushed in like a hyena that found a piece of meat.
“How far have the talks progressed? Does it seem positive? Who are you discussing for the male lead? Seo Jijoon? Im Joowon? Or the one everyone’s up in arms about, Song Inho?”
“Mr. Nam Joyoon.”
“Who?”
“He became famous with Alive. Don’t you know him? He received praise as a scene stealer.”
The man tapped his phone like he was searching for Nam Joyoon’s profile before frowning.
“What the hell? Are you planning on filming an independent film? Who’s going to invest billions of won in a project with an unknown director and a supporting-role-level, washed-up rookie? There needs to be something we can put our hopes on. And here I was thinking you had some casting skills.”
The man harshly ridiculed.
“Do you think the movie will be successful if you cast any actor as long as you have Jung Sunwoo promoting you?”
“He’s not any actor. He’s someone I decided after careful deliberation. I saw all the independent films he’s appeared in and his image fits well with the male lead. He’s also good at acting..!”
“You’re so frustrating. If that was enough, then everyone would pick up theater actors from Daehangno and use them. Why would they bother pouring tons of money to try to get a top star? That’s enough. CEO, if our director-change proposal doesn’t get settled, then we’re going to withdraw our investments and leave. You can look for other investors. Nam Joyoon… Now really.”