Chapter 34

For 3 seconds, Kim Hyunji's eyes were intently stared at.

Her trembling pupils gradually regained their calm.

‘Phew... It’s a relief. Her mental state didn’t waver.’

In a film set, there is no one who raises their voice higher than the director.

Soon, the MDN drama director, with wide-open eyes, shouted.

“What are you doing, punk!”

“I’m just doing my job.”

“Mr. Ha, if you’re a writer, why are you here at someone else’s film set...”

“The set wasn’t in use, and I was just holding someone like a mouse, wasn’t I?”

“What? What’s it to you?”

Honestly, I didn’t want to talk to a director who disrespected a minor role actor.

There’s no reason to treat a director who curses actors on set with respect.

“Ms. Kim Hyunji, come with me.”

“Huh?”

“The director said to leave, didn’t he?”

“Oh...”

Murmurs—

The atmosphere among the production staff was tense.

It seemed someone recognized me among them.

“Pure, macho writer...?”

“I saw the press conference video.”

“It’s Kim Jin-woo, the writer.”

Ignoring the voices, I spoke to the director, who was staring with wide eyes.

“Director, I don’t know your name...”

Even if it was a new actor I had never seen before, I would have been angry.

There’s no reason for a director to insult a minor role actor or an extra.

“Ms. Kim Hyunji is the lead actress in my next work.”

“What, what!?”

“You shouted at Hyunji earlier, saying you’d bury her in this industry, right?”

“No, that was...”

“This is a field where you reap what you sow. Let’s see who will regret it soon.”

“...”

Since there was no reason to continue the conversation, I ignored the director and spoke to Kim Hyunji.

“Let’s go, Ms. Kim.”

“Huh? Oh, okay...”

She followed me as if in a trance.

When we were alone, she spoke softly.

“Mr. Writer, thank you.”

“Huh? For what?”

“For lying and saying I’m the lead actress.”

“It’s not a lie.”

I slowly turned around, and she had her eyes wide open.

Now, it seemed like I could tell her.

“Soon, Manager Jeong will tell you. The lead actress in my next work is Ms. Kim Hyunji.”

“Huh...?”

“Ms. Kim Hyunji really is the lead actress in my next work.”

She was so surprised that she opened her mouth and couldn’t say anything.

Ding Dong—

At that moment, a system notification echoed in my head.

“Yes!”

【Content: Memory Eraser 5th Part】

【Genre: Time Loop, Romance, Crime Thriller】

【Location: Tempest Entertainment 1st Floor Cafe】

【Time Limit: 1 day】

【※ Silver Upgrade: 110-110101-1011 (Virtual Account, W Bank)】

【※ Deposit Amount: 0 won / 100 million won】

“Good location.”

“???”

Setting it up with Tempest Entertainment actors has this advantage.

The probability of landing in a strange place is significantly reduced.

A little later, the manager who brought the van said to me.

“I’m sorry. I left my seat...”

“I’ll talk to Manager Jeong today.”

“No, I’ve already contacted him. The coordinator told him the news.”

“Is that so?”

“It seems we can resolve things smoothly with MDN.”

“For now... I understand.”

I should remember the drama title.

I need to see how great the work is.

Then, I didn’t forget to tell Kim Hyunji, who was about to get in the car.

“Please memorize the script up to Part 4 for now.”

“Okay! Mr. Writer.”

She looked a bit timid just a moment ago.

Now, she was looking at me with bright eyes.

Rumble—

Kim Hyunji, getting into the van driven by the manager, moved away.

“Should I go write the script now?”

The latter part of Part 4, where the crime organization appears.

It seems the plot will lead to the protagonist dismantling the organization.

However,

Buzz—

At that moment, a call came from Director Sung, the macho writer.

Today is unusually busy.

Sometimes, things pile up all at once.

“Hello.”

-Kim Writer, are you busy?

“No, go ahead.”

-There needs to be a slight revision to the evening date scene in Episode 10.

“Oh... I’ll go right away.”

Honestly, everything has been too smooth so far.

Fixing the script on set is a common occurrence.

So far, everything has been covered thanks to the system’s appropriate location selection.

“I need to go quickly.”

If the system sets the table, I should at least know how to eat.

Thinking about it, I haven’t visited the set since the early stages of filming.

“Since I haven’t been there for a while... I should bring some gifts when I go.”

* * *

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Kang Jun finished his acting class and said goodbye.

There were only a few students in the class.

One of them was friendly and had already exchanged numbers with him.

“Kang Jun! Want to have a drink?”

“My uncle is calling me.”

“Aw, always dodging.”

She was the only female friend he had in the class.

It had been a while since he had a friend of the opposite sex.

“What can I do? I might get a role.”

“Oh! Why didn’t you say so? What role?”

“We’re the same age.”

“Ah, you knew?”

The ages and profiles are all written outside.

“Just... a writer liked me.”

“Is that so?”

The atmosphere around the company has changed a bit recently.

Rumors were circulating that he might become the lead in a 16-episode drama on a major network.

‘If I say this...’

He might lose the friend he had just made.

In this industry, jealousy among friends is common.

He might find out eventually anyway.

“Aw, what a waste. I had my eye on you.”

“What, what?”

Kang Jun was slightly flustered and stammered.

“I thought you’d be perfect for our theater group.”

“Oh... a theater group...”

“There is one. It’s called Jang Gye’s Theater, a very prestigious place.”

“...?”

“Still, think about it. I can recommend you to my brother.”

“Who’s your brother?”

“Um, Jang Gye...”

At that moment, his uncle arrived in front of the school.

“Ah, Hee-jung. Let’s talk next time.”

“Okay! You’re an honorary member of Jang Gye’s Theater from today. Got it?”

“...Okay.”

She’s a bit strange, but something about her reminded him of someone.

Is it because the atmosphere feels familiar?

“People might think we’re siblings.”

Looking at her now, their faces seemed a bit similar.

No, saying that might make one of them feel bad.

Manager Kang, noticing Kang Jun’s sudden chuckle, asked.

“Why are you doing that?”

“What for?”

“Never mind.”

Rumble—

They got into the used car provided by Tempest and headed somewhere.

“Uncle, where are we going?”

“Schedule.”

“Huh?”

“I’m Kang Chul-jung. I’m not dead.”

“Where?”

“Cable game show.”

It’s not easy for an unknown actor to get a cable game show.

Especially, considering how quickly the schedule was set, his uncle’s sales skills were impressive.

“By the way, there’s something the writer says to you sometimes.”

“Huh?”

“You’re better off being just a manager, not a boss.”

“...”

“It’s a good intention.”

Lately, his uncle’s lost confidence seems to have risen.

It feels like the stability of the good old days when Barum Entertainment was doing well.

‘Like when my father was alive...’

Thanks to Mr. Kim Jin-woo, everything feels like it’s falling into place.

Indeed, a solid background for his uncle is not a choice but a necessity.

* * *

At the Pure Macho film set.

“Director Sung, there are a lot of issues here.”

“...I know.”

A scene of a date under a colorful bridge.

It’s the first time the protagonist approaches the heroine without showing off his wealth.

However, the bridge’s lights went out, and the charm of the scene vanished instantly.

“We should have sought permission from the local government in advance.”

“Ah, that... I’m sorry.”

A Tempest employee bowed and apologized.

“Does Manager Jeong know?”

“No, please don’t tell Manager Jeong...”

He seems quite kind to me.

But he must be scary to the staff.

‘What can be done about something that’s already happened.’

If the system kindly fixes the revised part, it would be different.

At that moment, Se-mi, who had been listening quietly, slowly raised her hand.

When the staff’s attention focused on her, she spoke with a slightly embarrassed expression.

“Maybe it would be okay with just a few lights?”

“...?”

“Just, if I were Cha Ye-ju... I think I would be moved by a small flashlight.”

“Oh...”

Right, in the drama I saw, the background was just a supporting element.

It can be filled with the actors’ performances and props.

The emotion I felt came from Se-mi’s expression, not the bridge lights.

Tap, tap, tap—

I modified the drama on the spot based on the drama I saw.

It’s not 100% accurate, but I’m the only one who has seen the future drama.

[Soft lighting turns on from the left side of Cha Ye-ju, and Cheon Ji-ho looks at her in a daze.]

Soon, the filming resumed based on the revised script.

“Wow, it’s perfect.”

This time, it matched what I saw almost perfectly.

The chemistry between Se-mi and Im Jae-joon was flawless.

The actors’ ability to overcome the background difference with their expressions.

Indeed, the drama I saw through the system is an invaluable asset beyond the script I wrote.

At that moment, a staff member approached and greeted me.

“Mr. Writer, the staff really appreciate the gifts.”

“No, I’m sorry for not visiting the set more often.”

I wanted to buy coffee, but it was physically impossible, so I used coupons instead.

I gave 100 coupons worth 20,000 won each to the assistant director, which was a significant expense.

It’s not common for a new writer to do this, but established writers often do.

When I become a star writer, I should consider buying a jacket for each of them.

“Mr. Writer, I’ll enjoy it!”

“Thank you!!!”

“I love you, Mr. Writer—!!!”

The atmosphere on the Pure Macho set was quite bright.

It was the opposite of the failed drama where Ms. Kim Hyunji was filming.

Soon, the actors, exhausted from the filming, moved to the next location.

Thud, thud—

I approached Se-mi, who was sitting in a chair.

“Se-mi, are you done with today’s filming?”

“Yes, Mr. Writer! I have a schedule in Japan starting tomorrow for two days.”

“Japan?”

“Yes. It’s for group activities. The director filmed my scenes in advance.”

“Hmm... You must be working hard.”

At that moment, her manager called her from a distance.

“Se-mi! We need to go now.”

“Ah, okay. Brother.”

Despite her hard work at a young age, she maintained a fresh smile.

Indeed, she’s my actress.

“I’m going now!”

“Okay, Se-mi. I’ll visit the set again next time.”

“Okay. Hehe.”

* * *

I arrived home, exhausted from the day’s director meetings and film set visits.

“It was too tiring.”

【Time Limit: 19 hours 43 minutes 30 seconds】

It’s late, so I’ll write Part 5 tomorrow.

Most importantly, I don’t want to think about anything tonight.

My younger sister approached me, lying on the sofa.

“Are you alive?”

“I’m dead.”

“You’re alive.”

She started talking about something she didn’t care about.

“There’s someone I met at the acting school recently.”

“What!?”

Who dares to approach my younger sister.

“He’s really nice!”

“...No, we’re not dating. We just take classes together.”

“Oh... Damn.”

Thud—

I lay back on the sofa.

“But his acting is really amazing.”

“I don’t choose based on acting.”

“Then?”

“He needs to be chosen by the system.”

“Huh...?”

Hee-jung seemed a bit disappointed and added.

“Damn, I wanted to recommend an actor.”

“No. No illegal recommendations.”

Thump—

My younger sister kicked my butt and ran away.

“Should I kill her?”

I’ve been too soft on my only younger sister.

Buzz—

At that moment, I received a call from Manager Jeong Sa-rom.

“I want to stop working for a while.”

If it’s important, I have to answer.

“Hello, Sa-rom.”

-...I received a call from Director Song.

“What? What call?”

-We got a response from KBC.

“Oh! Really? They gave permission?”

-Not exactly permission... They welcomed it.

“Wow, Manager Jeong, you’re really capable.”

How many production companies can reach KBC’s drama department in just a few hours?

-But they really welcomed it.

“Wow, our Manager Jeong...!”

-...Stop it.

You caught me teasing you.

-Prepare well for tomorrow.

“Huh?”

-Director Ju is not someone to be taken lightly.

To reach that position in a broadcasting company, one must be like a politician.

“...Tomorrow, you said?”

I need to prepare as well.

As a writer.