Chapter 48

Although the movie project "Friend" had just started, after the actors signed their contracts, there was still a lot of preparatory work to be done, including selecting filming equipment (cameras, recording devices), choosing props and costumes, selecting and finalizing makeup for the actors, taking promotional photos, and even, because the entire film would be in Busan dialect, all the actors, including Jang Dong-gun, would have to undergo relevant training together...

However, the most important part of a movie project is raising funds. Without money, doing all the other things wouldn't matter. With money, everything would be fine. Therefore, when Guo Jingze received the funds and officially started the project, Lee Jung-hui also received his game reward.

"Respected player, hello. Because you have obtained the position of screenwriter for the movie 'Friend,' the system rewards you with 2 achievement points. Also, because you have obtained the position of producer for the film, the system rewards you with 5 achievement points..."

Apart from the achievement points, there was nothing else, but 7 achievement points were still quite good. He had just spent 6 achievement points to buy the script, and now he had 7 points back, bringing his total to 19 achievement points, which was naturally very good.

It seemed that buying a script was indeed better than directly buying a screenwriter position. Of course, being a producer was the most enjoyable. Therefore, after finishing the filming of Song Seung-hyun's scenes, in the evening, he received Zhang Dong-guo, who had come from Seoul, and Guo Zai-rong, the director and co-screenwriter of the original "My Sassy Girl."

Guo Zai-rong looked very ordinary, but he had a brilliant heart, which might be the reason he became an excellent director.

Lee Jung-hui also recognized his abilities. Even in the film "My Sassy Girl," he didn't think anyone was more suitable than this guy, who had sparked a "youth film" craze with his effusive and flowing style. Therefore, after a brief exchange, he didn't hesitate and directly handed the script to Guo Zai-rong, saying, "I think Director Guo should know from Mr. Zhang that I am a professional screenwriter and understand the difference between novels and scripts..."

Guo Zai-rong smiled subtly and nodded, "Of course, but I really didn't expect that the person who is now quite famous in the industry is you. You're so young..." He paused slightly and continued, "Well, how to say it, I still have some doubts. How could someone who wrote a script like 'Curse' write a work with such a completely different style..."

Lee Jung-hui shrugged, "The human mind is extremely mysterious and complex, just like a director, who might have all sorts of strange and different ideas every day." He pointed to the script, "You can take a look first. The plot in the script is somewhat different from the novel..."

Getting to the point, Guo Zai-rong nodded and started reading without saying more. Meanwhile, Sun Ye-jin, who had insisted on coming along to see the excitement, had already finished reading the script and whispered in his ear, "Hey, your script is really interesting," then looked at him expectantly, "What do you think if I play the female lead? Everyone says my acting is great!"

Hearing this, Lee Jung-hui hadn't said anything yet, but Guo Zai-rong looked at her in surprise. Lee Jung-hui knew the guy must have misunderstood, so he said to Guo Zai-rong, "She absolutely won't be in the cast, and the actors are your decision!"

Seeing Guo Zai-rong relax a bit, he ignored Zhang Dong-guo's teasing gaze, pulled the unhappy Sun Ye-jin out of the shop, and sternly scolded her, "If you're here to play, just play. Don't talk nonsense!"

"What do you mean by talking nonsense!" Sun Ye-jin knew she had been wrong, but she was also a bit不服气 (unwilling to admit it), "I'm an actress, right? If I see a role I like, can't I ask and try to get it? Is that wrong?"

"You should know the occasion. Don't you understand that just now, the director might have thought I brought you here on purpose, as a condition for you to play the role!" Lee Jung-hui remained stern, "He is the director, the soul of the movie. If something like this happens before the project even starts, it's the most annoying thing..."

"Why are you so angry?" Sun Ye-jin pouted, looking like she was about to cry, but Lee Jung-hui was amused and said, "Don't pretend. Although my acting isn't as good as yours, you're faking it now!"

"Annoying!" Sun Ye-jin, seeing through, immediately changed her expression, kicked him lightly, and pulled him to point at a shop, saying coquettishly, "Buy me some spicy stir-fried rice cakes..."

This was no problem, and Lee Jung-hui also feared she might misunderstand. Seeing her eat happily, he explained, "You really aren't suitable for this role. Otherwise, I wouldn't have brought you here, to avoid giving the director a bad impression..."

However, Sun Ye-jin looked at him suspiciously and pouted, "Is that so? You said I wasn't suitable for the current role before?"

"When did I say that?" Lee Jung-hui was taken aback. Who knew that Sun Ye-jin stared at him with disdain, "Do you think I and others don't understand? You just wanted Song Hye-kyo to play the role back then!"

Then she huffed, "How shameless, saying one thing and doing another!"

Lee Jung-hui was speechless. He couldn't really argue with that. However, Sun Ye-jin looked at him curiously and asked, "But, I see you seem to have a thing for your cousin. So, who do you really like? Are you secretly dating Song Hye-kyo and playing both sides?"

This time, Lee Jung-hui was completely defeated. He couldn't even play happily with her. He decided to play dumb and, with Sun Ye-jin's delighted giggles, returned to the shop first.

Fortunately, Guo Zai-rong had almost finished reading. Seeing him come in, he looked up and smiled, then, after he sat down, slowly said, "Well, you are indeed a screenwriter. I originally planned to help you make some changes if necessary, but now it's not needed. Moreover, the dramatic effect is great!"

"You can't just flatter me!" Lee Jung-hui also smiled and replied. After he laughed, he turned serious and got back to the main topic, "To put it simply, this film will be co-invested by me and Empire Entertainment..."

Seeing his slightly puzzled look, he nodded, "Yes, because this script contains my own story, I will invest and also be the producer." He paused and then said to Guo Zai-rong, "At the same time, I will invite you to be the co-producer..."

This finally moved Guo Zai-rong. If Lee Jung-hui was going to be the producer, it might have made Guo Zai-rong a bit worried, but Lee Jung-hui's deliberate mention of him being the co-producer was the best news possible.

This was even better than being asked to be the director, as it meant he would have more freedom.

However, he glanced at Zhang Dong-guo with some concern, as he was the representative of the major investor, Empire Entertainment.

But then, he could finally relax. Zhang Dong-guo looked helpless and said, "Well, Writer Lee said he has the final say on this film. Otherwise, he won't make it!"

With that, he had nothing to worry about. Therefore, he looked at Lee Jung-hui again, and Lee Jung-hui simply said to him, "Take the script back first and see if there are any changes needed. If not, please draft the shooting schedule, shooting plan, actor schedules, script breakdown, and scene breakdown, and submit them to me and Empire Entertainment for review. If everything is suitable, we will proceed..."

This condition was not lenient, but rather very strict, as it implied that if his work did not meet Lee Jung-hui's requirements, everything he did might be in vain.

This undoubtedly made Guo Zai-rong somewhat doubtful. However, the strict requirements also indicated the seriousness and certainty of the matter.

Since the 1990s, the Korean film market had been completely dominated by Hollywood films due to the lack of a quota system, leading to a situation where no one watched domestic films. This also contributed to the failure of his two consecutive films, "Autumn Trip" and "Watercolor After the Rain 2," and subsequently, no production companies were willing to hire him to make films.

Eight years of unemployment was unbearable for a director, or for anyone. Therefore, for Guo Zai-rong, his options were limited.

After a long while, when the coffee on his table was almost finished, he looked up at Lee Jung-hui and asked seriously, "What kind of style do you need..." For him, saying this was already an invisible compromise.

He was willing to compromise for this film, to change his way of doing things, and even the director's rules, which was undoubtedly heart-wrenching.

However, just as he thought Lee Jung-hui wanted him to completely follow his requirements and was disappointed by the so-called co-producer, he saw Lee Jung-hui shake his head. Then, to his surprise and delight, Lee Jung-hui said, "No, you misunderstood. I want your own style, your characteristics, the life you will give to this film. This is why I chose you as the director, not someone else..."

Guo Zai-rong was really moved. Thinking about the hardships of the past years, his eyes were a bit red. He finally understood the true meaning of the co-producer. After a long moment, he stabilized his emotions and nodded sincerely at Lee Jung-hui, "I think I understand. I will do it quickly..."

He paused and added, "Of course, not just quickly, but I will make sure it is at least satisfactory before I bring it to you for review!"

Lee Jung-hui nodded and then handed a check for 10 million won to Guo Zai-rong, which he received from Zhang Dong-guo, "There will be many expenses during this period. This is an advance payment. If we ultimately choose you, it will be deducted from the director's fee..."

Guo Zai-rong was stunned, but he didn't refuse. After eight years of unemployment, he hadn't been doing well, and he understood that this was Lee Jung-hui's thoughtfulness. Therefore, he stood up and bowed slightly in respect... PS: Please support!

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