Chapter 31

Song Gwansu repeatedly marveled as he read Jinu's work.

'This is what a real genius looks like.'

The joy of reading vivid scenes in the sentences.

The immersive experience that sparks imagination.

The delicate visual beauty that bursts from the words.

'I was just a frog in a well.'

Is this what a writer who can fully realize the visuals in a script is like?

I thought I would never envy someone's talent based on skill alone.

And to discover such talent in a writer, not even a director.

The words to ask for a collaboration almost slipped out.

For the first time since leaving SBC, I felt regret.

Because I had been deprived of the right to direct such a wonderful work.

"That... You really poured a lot of directorial elements into the regression scene. It's like a movie."

"Oh, really?"

"Huh? You didn't intend to!?"

"Yes. It just kind of happened..."

Even without intending to, the ability to visualize is insane.

This is what true mad talent looks like.

"Um... It seems like you had CGI in mind..."

"....?"

"Just one helicopter and three drones would be enough."

"Oh... Really?"

"Yes. Mr. Writer, have you ever studied directing?"

"No, I haven't."

"You have quite a talent."

"Thank you. Haha."

Scenes were forming in my mind.

No, that's not the right expression. The drama was unfolding completely.

"Can this scene... be filmed?"

"Huh?"

"It wouldn't be easy with just an average director's skills. You'd have to do a great job."

Director Song barely held back his desire to direct it himself.

"Actually, there's a director meeting for this work tomorrow."

"Oh, really?"

Heh─

So it already had a director.

Well, I didn't expect it to work out anyway.

"Can I ask who it is?"

"Probably Director Cha from SBC."

"Who, who?"

"Director Cha Jung-hyun."

"Ah..."

The bastard who tormented me until the day I quit.

They were the dirty and despicable people who led the internal ostracism.

Among them, Director Cha wasn't the main instigator but was at least a passive observer, if not worse.

"Yes. I hope the work goes well."

Creak─

Director Song abruptly stood up and left without looking back.

* * *

'Hmm... Am I really lacking in the eyes of a genius?'

The system isn't omnipotent after all.

Director Song kept pointing out the flaws in the work and then quickly disappeared.

I thought he would at least give me a chance to ask for his phone number.

"Should we get up now?"

Mireung, who had been watching, spoke softly.

"Um, can you give me Director Song's number? I didn't get to ask earlier."

"Ah, yes, of course."

"... While you're at it, can you give me Mireung's number too?"

"Huh?"

Was asking for two numbers at once too much?

"Why...?"

The manager standing nearby also looked a bit flustered.

With such a direct request for numbers, I couldn't really stop it as a writer.

"Because you're in my drama. As a minor role in a pure macho drama."

"Oh! That's right. I'll give it to you."

I immediately called the number I received.

"This is my number, so save it..."

-Hello.

"..."

Click.

I hung up in a hurry when an uncle answered.

"Ah, s-sorry! It was a mistake!"

"Yes."

Semi is said to be an incredibly sharp and perfect leader.

Seeing her flustered, it seemed like it was a real mistake.

The manager's wry smile suggested this kind of situation was familiar.

'She's secretly a bit clumsy, huh?'

Soon, Mireung, embarrassed, changed the subject.

"Um, Mr. Writer. Semi has been looking for you lately."

"Really?"

"Maybe she thought you would show up on set once."

"Ah..."

In fact, I had been quite indifferent.

I hadn't shown my face on set much since becoming a writer.

"I'll definitely visit once."

"Yes, thank you."

Mireung bowed in gratitude.

"I should be the one thanking you. You have great actors. At Rainbow Entertainment."

A company that raises idols has many good actors.

Especially within Purple Girls, there are many talented individuals.

Shortly after,

I returned to the seat I had been sitting in.

I checked the light particles that entered my mind.

"Mireung, you act well."

Mireung was a perfect fit for the role of a competent financial advisor.

The drastically changed lines and actions were enough to reverse the low compatibility.

"... I need to rewrite it."

Indeed, the system never betrays.

The next day, in the morning.

The internet was buzzing with a particular topic from the moment it started.

MBS's 'Shooting the Sun' was competing on the same day.

《The Underdog's Rebellion? Can Pure Macho Really Overcome the Sun!》

Journalists were competing to come up with the most sensational headlines.

The audience's reaction was predictable.

Fans would split and fight fiercely.

"Let's go out first."

There were two hours left until the meeting with Director Cha.

Director Song, whom I met yesterday, kept lingering in my mind.

I was already in a bad mood before meeting Director Cha.

* * *

SBC Drama Production Department.

The head and Director Cha Jung-hyun were waiting for the meeting with Tempest.

"Director Cha, when will Mr. Kim Jinu arrive?"

"There's about 30 minutes left until the appointment. He usually arrives an hour early, but maybe writers are different."

"Ahaha. Director Cha, you're becoming a stick in the mud. Have you read the script?"

"What can I tell from just the first part?"

"Hmm, is that so...?"

Director Cha Jung-hyun pointed out the flaws rather than the good points of the work.

"To be honest, the writer doesn't know anything about directing."

"Really?"

"The regression scene is well described, but what, is this Hollywood? Is he planning to use a lot of CGI?"

"Oh... Now that I look, it does seem that way."

"Yes. He's not planning to spend 200 million won per episode, is he?"

"Ahem, that's ridiculous."

As he said, it was still too early to make a big investment in a rookie writer.

While Pure Macho is doing well now, that's about its limit.

After all, a drama that starts with a 5% rating on a public broadcaster is a common occurrence every year.

Frankly, no one knows if it will collapse miserably when it faces MBS today.

"Hmm..."

The head made a subtle expression and asked Director Cha.

"So... What are you going to do?"

"I'll fix all his bad habits. He's just a rookie writer, after all."

"Director Cha, but Pure Macho is hot right now. Be gentle."

"Sigh, Head. I'm an expert at handling rookie writers. Just leave it to me."

"Hmm..."

Soon, Manager Jeong Saerom and writer Kim Jinu appeared on time.

* * *

"This part needs to be revised."

Wow, he starts with a demand to fix it as soon as he sits down.

"And this part, the protagonist was too stupid."

"Excuse me?"

"The female lead was hit by a hit-and-run and regressed on her own, causing her family to lose their memories."

".... So what?"

"Let's revise the end of the first part."

"..."

Why not just change the protagonist?

"Just the financial advisor. If we make this character the main female lead, we can create a much more interesting visual."

Is this for real?

"You're not saying anything. Are you the silent type? Hehe."

Hehe. What a mess.

Eventually, Saerom, who had been watching my expression, intervened.

"Director, isn't it a bit hasty to suggest changing the main female lead without even reading the second part?"

"Ha... What is the production company doing?"

"Excuse me?"

"Since when do the production company interfere when the writer and director are talking?"

".... I'm sorry."

Saerom apologized but her expression was stiff.

Seeing her expression, I made up my mind.

"And Mr. Writer, the regression part."

"Hmm, another one?"

"Yes. This can't be filmed realistically."

"Then... Can't we use drones? Someone suggested it."

"Ah, then maybe we can figure something out."

"..."

"But is it necessary to take such a risky move? We can fix it with just one line of the script."

He seems to be speaking casually.

"Right. In a crime thriller, how important is the scene where the villain first appears?"

"Ha... Mr. Writer, don't be sarcastic. I've been in this industry for 20 years."

So what?

"Ah! And in Pure Macho, you used a lot of rookie actors, right?"

Good grief. Bringing up my previous work too?

"Surely you're not planning to use rookies in this work too? Just out of caution... Hehe."

"Excuse me."

"....?"

"Director Cha."

Hearing the cold voice, Director Cha frowned.

Immediately, the atmosphere in the head's office froze.

"Really, what are you trying to do?"

"What are you trying to do, Director Cha? If you came to talk, then talk! Do you even have the intention to talk!?"

"Such... Are you crazy? A rookie like you...!"

In the end, Director Cha Jung-hyun even used vulgar language.

This guy loses his cool at the slightest provocation.

The more I talked to him, the more I thought of someone.

The six years I spent taking abuse under 'that' writer.

"Manager Jeong... I'm really sorry. I can't work with Director Cha."

"Yes, please stand up."

Creak─

Director Cha Jung-hyun shouting loudly.

The drama department head glaring fiercely.

I left the SBC broadcasting station, leaving them behind.

Saerom didn't say a word until we were out of the building.

"Manager, are you very angry? I'm sorry..."

"No. I was against revising the script too."

Saerom stood in the middle of the road and looked at me.

"Mr. Writer, thank you. You stood up for me, right?"

"Huh? Ah..."

"No one has fought for me in a long time."

"Well..."

Not really. I fought because he was insulting my work.

Hmm, let's just leave it at that.

"Pretty much, yeah."

"You seem like a good person, Jinu."

It's the first time she called me Jinu instead of Mr. Writer.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I quickly changed the subject.

"Um, but I'm sorry. We're dealing with SBC's drama department..."

"Hey, who's the president of our company?"

"Huh? Ah..."

The younger brother of the chairman of Cheonseong Group.

A huge wall for bullying at the broadcasting station.

But, one thing I'm curious about.

'It's because he's the president, but... Manager Jeong could get a severe scolding from the president, right?'

She still had a smile on her face, which was puzzling.

Anyone would think she's a rich girl.

"Manager, it might be for the best."

"Huh?"

Hearing my words, Saerom asked.

"Actually, I have a director I want to work with on this project."

"Really? Who is it?"

After a brief pause, she continued.

"Let's work with Director Song. Director Song Gwansu."

"Who, who?"

"The one who left SBC. Director Song Gwansu, who directed 'Drawing the Stars.'"

"..."

Then, she detailed her meeting with Director Song Gwansu the day before.

"Just make the drama a success. Then the broadcasting stations will try to recruit each other. You know that."

If a drama is a hit, the broadcasting stations will have to humble themselves.

All the broadcasting stations that joined the Purple Girls coin late are regretting it.

'I'll make the next work a success just to see them kneel.'

Owing a favor to Director Song is definitely not a loss.

There are no such talented PDs among the freelancers.

"Frankly... I'm already at odds with SBC."

"Let's meet once. Director Song Gwansu."

"Yes. Give me his contact. I'll negotiate the guarantee."

Freelance PDs receive per-episode fees, unlike in-house PDs.

When a star director declares independence, their fees are usually very high.

But Director Song might be a special case and can be contracted at a lower price.

'Can I get it in the tens of millions per episode?'

Compared to his abilities and career, it's almost free.

Except for the fatal flaw of being at odds with the broadcasting station, he's the ultimate cost-effective choice.

"I'll meet him. Director Song."

"Yes, thank you."

Soon, Saerom returned to her usual expressionless self.

Just before getting into her car, she turned and asked me.

"Mr. Writer, Jaejun and Seho are watching the drama live today. Do you want to join us?"

"Ah... Today? Episode 3 airing day."

"Yes. The day it faces MBS."

".... Where are you watching it?"

* * *

Meanwhile, Semi was shocked after receiving a call from Jaejun.

"Who, who is watching it with?"

-The writer.

Semi suddenly felt a surge of sorrow.

Two out of the three lead actors were ostracizing the remaining one.

And the production company and the writer were all in on it!

"Why only me!?"

-Everyone else is from the same company. The writer has already signed a contract...

"Then I'll move to another company too."

-You're joking, right?

"No, I'm serious."

The manager, who was driving, broke into a cold sweat but didn't add anything.

As soon as Semi hung up, she told the manager.

"Brother, let's go to Tempest right now."

"Even if we go now, we'll only arrive near the end of the drama."

"Then we need to go faster!"

"Um, but what you said about moving companies..."

"Later!"

"Ah, got it."

There was only an hour left before the flagship dramas of MBS and JTBS clashed.