Chapter 41

"Finally, I understand what Eun-ju is all about, but her role in the movie is a bit weakened. Of course, the movie is still pretty good, especially the opening scene and the music, which are really great..."

The premiere ended, and at the same time, the employees of TUBE Entertainment started posting various comments on Yahoo forums, Naver forums, and various BBSs.

"Eun-ju is dead, right? This seems like a false proposition, but we have to admit that when she was alive, she was more like a shell. Well, I can't really explain it clearly. Maybe someone who has seen the movie can give me an answer..."

"Great movie, the pacing is especially well done, with a good balance of tension and relaxation. The most outstanding part is every terrifying scene, where the cinematography, props, sound effects, and lighting are particularly well-coordinated. This is a rare production in the horror genre..."

And for such posts as "Completely deceived, this movie has nothing to do with Eun-ju. TUBE Entertainment is a big liar..."

TUBE naturally responded well, "Your conclusion is biased. Although there isn't much of Eun-ju in the film, she is the biggest background and clue of the movie, and she appears at key moments. Besides, in a horror movie, would it still be a horror movie if the ghost or spirit were always in front of your eyes?"

Thus, a war without gunpowder began online at 15th midnight, and the one leading this was Lee Jung-hi, who was celebrating the good news with the main creators of "Curse."

The box office for today has already been released. From noon to now, there have been 81,050 admissions, which means, adding the previous 321,978 admissions, the current box office of "Curse" has exceeded 400,000, reaching 402,983 admissions.

This has already exceeded half of the break-even point by a lot, and everyone who has seen the film understands that it would be hard for the movie to lose money.

Therefore, amidst the cheers, the representative of TUBE Entertainment, Kim Sung-gwang, waved his hand generously, "Everyone, feel free to eat whatever you want tonight, just don't sell me out..."

For a businessman, the good omen of making a profit on the first investment is more important than the profit itself. And "Curse" did not have a wrap party at the time, so this could be considered a reward for everyone, as well as an early celebration.

Seoul's Shengye Hotel, a very high-end place near Jongno, also showed Kim Sung-gwang's true generosity.

At this moment, everyone was not too polite, and Gao Zuodong even handed the menu to Lee Jung-hi first, smiling and saying, "Jung-hi, since we have other guests here today, I have to be a bit impolite and give you the priority!"

On the other side, Kim Sung-gwang waved his hand and said loudly, "This is only right," then asked Lee Jung-hi with a smile, "But to be honest, I really want to hear what our writer Lee expects for the box office of this movie..."

This guy, Lee Jung-hi thought to himself with a smile, but he still passed the menu to An Byung-gi beside him. Others were being polite, and he had to be courteous as well; it was a matter of rules, manners, and good quality.

"If our box office is ultimately successful, Director An Byung-gi and the main creators are the biggest contributors," Lee Jung-hi said politely with a smile, then continued, "As for box office expectations, the higher, the better!"

This answer did not satisfy the others, and even An Byung-gi asked him with a smile, "Tell me, what do you think the trend will be after tomorrow?"

His words had a purpose, because the pre-sales were entirely due to Lee Jung-hi's efforts, and the quality of the film was related to his honor. He naturally did not want the box office to drop too much in the coming days.

Lee Jung-hi naturally understood his thoughts and, seeing that everyone was very eager, thought for a moment and said with a smile, "Let's not talk too much. I think a box office of 1.2 million admissions should not be a problem..."

He based this on the original film's box office of about 1.1 million admissions. Now, with his viral marketing strategy and the film's smoother pacing, better special effects, music, and props, an additional 100,000 admissions should not be a problem.

So, his statement was relatively conservative, but even so, the others were amazed.

The Korean film industry was just starting, and films with over a million admissions in a year could be counted on one hand.

And "Curse" was an 18+ horror film!

"Good," Kim Sung-gwang now looked at Lee Jung-hi with new eyes. Hearing him say 1.2 million admissions, he was even more pleased and slapped his thigh, "Let's toast to the 1.2 million admissions that Writer Lee mentioned!"

"Cheers!" Gao Zuodong also echoed loudly, then drank with the others. However, he kept glancing at Lee Jung-hi while eating.

At first, Lee Jung-hi didn't notice, but later he found it strange and looked at him with a smile, teasing, "Director Gao, I'm not a beauty!"

Gao Zuodong also laughed and said, "You're more attractive than any beauty!" Seeing Lee Jung-hi smile without much enthusiasm, he leaned in and said, "To be honest, I'm a bit regretful about the contract I signed with you back then!"

Lee Jung-hi was taken aback, then laughed brightly, "Director Gao, when I signed the contract with you, I felt the same way you do now!"

"Do you really believe that!" Gao Zuodong looked at him with disdain but also with curiosity, "But why were you so confident back then?"

"Confidence is the first key to doing anything!" Lee Jung-hi said something vague, then, seeing Gao Zuodong's combative stance, shrugged and said seriously, "Actually, it's quite simple. As you've seen, I'm very familiar with this. I also believe that with everyone's cooperation, we can create a good work. And I had already planned the current promotional strategy."

He shrugged again, and in Gao Zuodong's surprise, "When you're well-prepared and put your heart into it, believe in yourself. If you fail in the end, consider it a lesson."

Gao Zuodong was stunned but thought about it and realized that everything was just as this young man said. However, at the beginning, no one knew that he had already planned everything.

"Is this how geniuses do things?" Gao Zuodong sighed and then looked at him, smiling, "You've made quite a bit of money this time. I calculated it for you. As long as the admissions reach 1.2 million, you can get 700 million won. If it's more, it will be even better!"

The original bet was based on a break-even point of 700,000 admissions. Below 100,000 admissions, the profit share was 5%, from 100,000 to 300,000 admissions, it was 10%, and for every additional 200,000 admissions, the profit share increased by 5%.

1.2 million minus 700,000 is 500,000. One more admission means that Lee Jung-hi would get a 20% profit share.

So, 500,000 admissions times 20% is 100,000 admissions. At a minimum of 7,000 won per ticket, he could earn 700 million won.

Lee Jung-hi was very clear about this. He was waiting for this money to shoot "Friend," but at this moment, he just smiled calmly, without showing any surprise or pride.

However, his neighbor, Ha Ji-won, was different. She had just heard the number and was stunned.

700 million won? What's going on? The combined salaries of the entire main cast and crew of "Curse" might not even reach this amount. Why could this guy earn 700 million won when the box office is good?

Taking advantage of the lively atmosphere, she pulled Lee Jung-hi aside and whispered in his ear, "What's this about you getting 700 million won?" Her eyes were fixed on him, as if afraid he would brush her off.

Lee Jung-hi was taken aback. He didn't expect her to hear it and seemed determined not to let it go. After thinking for a moment, he first told her not to leak it and then briefly explained the contract he had signed earlier.

"Ah!" Ha Ji-won was stunned. She didn't expect it to be like this. After a while, she finally reacted. Although she knew that Lee Jung-hi had earned this through his confidence and talent, she couldn't help but feel a bit envious and resentful. She glared at him and muttered unhappily, "So, all our hard work is just for you, huh? Humph!"

"Did you consider the possibility that I might not get a single cent?" Lee Jung-hi laughed. After saying this, seeing Ha Ji-won's disdainful look, he knew that explaining wouldn't help, so he didn't say more.

However, this made Ha Ji-won even more unhappy. She couldn't do anything to Lee Jung-hi, so she rolled her eyes and suddenly raised her glass loudly.

"Writer Lee, come on, you're the biggest contributor today, and I haven't toasted to you yet." She raised a glass and drank it all in one go, then showed the empty glass and said, "I'll drink first..."

Drinking is all about the atmosphere. Everyone already thought that Ha Ji-won and Lee Jung-hi had a special relationship. Her sudden enthusiasm naturally made everyone cheer and follow.

At this moment, Lee Jung-hi had no choice but to drink. Otherwise, it wouldn't make sense. However, after he drank, the old foxes like Kim Sung-gwang and Gao Zuodong also raised their glasses, not wanting to miss the fun.

For a moment, the glasses clinked and people staggered. Lee Jung-hi's drinking capacity was not great, and he tried several times to pretend to be dead to get through it, but Ha Ji-won kept waking him up with various pinches, twists, and tricks.

In the end, he was really drunk. He vaguely remembered that Ha Ji-won was also drunk, and then the two of them seemed to end up together...

PS: Still recommending and collecting!

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