Chapter 38

One week later, on the day of the commercial shoot.

At the location for the beverage commercial starring Jaejun, Yonji University.

The CF director kept exclaiming in admiration while looking at the script.

"Writer, this is too good to be used just for a commercial, no matter how many times I read it."

I stood beside him and smiled wryly.

"It'll be fine as long as it's shot well enough to not be a waste."

"Ah, yes! But, could you explain a bit more about the background…?"

Even a director of Song's or Seong's caliber would have understood this content at a glance, but he asked again.

After all, commercial and drama directors require different types of direction.

"Sorry, could you explain a bit more in detail…?"

"I'll just stay here and help you."

"Oh! Really? Thank you. Haha."

"It's a paid job, after all."

There was no clause that required me to stay on set, but I wanted to maintain the quality of the script I had written through the system.

"Cut in. Ready."

Although I hadn't studied directing, I had watched dramas alone, so I thought I could understand the basics of camera angles and focusing.

"Action!"

Soon, Jaejun handed a drink to his junior.

The junior blushed and took the drink with both hands.

I observed everything as if I were shooting a real drama.

I checked everything meticulously, from the height of the camera to the symmetry of the frame.

"Director, I think a close-up would be good here."

"Hmm, it does feel a bit too much like a drama…"

"Higher quality is always better. Let's try a few shots and see how it looks in the edit."

"Ah, yes. That makes sense. Haha."

The shoot took longer because I was interfering so much.

With a total of twenty scenes, a ten-minute, four-episode series, it was impossible to finish in one day.

I had no choice but to help the director with the fine details for a few days.

Four days later,

It was a tiring job, but the result was satisfying.

"Great job!"

"I must have been a nuisance, sorry."

"Ah, no. I'm the one who should be grateful."

The director forced a smile and checked the footage.

"I can hardly believe I shot this."

"You did all the work."

"Wow, I knew Jaejun was handsome, but this commercial…"

At that moment, Jaejun approached and spoke.

"Senior, you really worked hard today."

"You too."

Students from Yonji University were watching the shoot from a distance.

Especially the female students, who went wild whenever Jaejun glanced their way.

Or maybe they were just teasing.

"Bro, you're so cool!"

"Ahahaha!!"

"Jaejun bro!!"

Some of those calling him "bro" were probably older than Jaejun.

"Senior, are you coming to the wrap party this weekend?"

"Huh? Ah, of course."

"Sem might not be able to come. She has a schedule in Japan…"

"Is Sem's shooting done?"

"Yes. Sem has already finished all her scenes."

Maybe because the script was written to completion from the start.

The shooting schedule for "Pure Macho" was more efficient than any other drama.

Thanks to this, it was possible to shoot an actor's scenes in advance.

"Is 'Purple Girls' doing really well in Japan these days?"

"More accurately… the response to 'Pure Macho' in Japan is very hot, apparently."

Jaejun coughed a couple of times, embarrassed by his own words.

"Has it already aired up to episode 4 in Japan?"

"Yes, senior. That's what I heard."

Indeed, the response to "Purple Girls" in Japan and Korea was not trivial.

* * *

"Already almost time for the last shoot of 'Pure Macho'."

It was now the day before the final shoot of "Pure Macho."

Beep beep beep—

When I opened the front door and entered the house, Heejung was watching a music show.

"Are you unemployed? Why are you just hanging around at home?"

"What? I went to the academy today and did a shoot. I was really busy."

"Shoot?"

"Um… you don't need to know. Hehe."

"…"

Just then, "Purple Girls" appeared on the music show.

"Wow, they're a top candidate for first place?"

"Of course. They're hot in Japan right now. Don't you know about the national pride coins?"

"… I'm close to them."

"Idiot."

"Purple Girls" had never been first place in a music show before.

But, to join the ranks of top-tier girl groups in such a short time.

-So, the total score for this week's first place is?

Yusa, the national little sister and long-reigning top solo female artist.

"Purple Girls," now firmly established as a top girl group.

"This is… a tough opponent."

"Exactly, how do you beat Yusa?"

However, the MC's announcement shattered everyone's expectations.

-This week's first place is "Purple Girls"! Congratulations!

"How did they win this? How did they do it?"

"Wow… 'Purple Girls' are amazing."

"Will they top the Oricon charts next?"

"Maybe. But can they do it with a Korean song?"

"Yusa did it!"

"Purple Girls' first music show win."

Some members were shedding tears in celebration.

After a long period of obscurity, they had finally risen to the second-tier girl group.

Thanks to "Pure Macho" and their activities in Japan, they had finally reached the top.

-Thank you to our fans. Mr. CEO, manager, Rainbow family….

Then, Sem, who had taken the microphone, added a few words.

-Thank you sincerely to everyone who has always believed in me.

Sem's bowing figure was more radiant than ever.

"Holy, Sem really looks like a goddess."

"Um… yeah."

"Bro, you were chatting with someone like her…!"

"I still chat with her sometimes. Idiot."

Heejung stared blankly at the female idol on TV.

A serene smile appeared on Sem's face, despite the heavy workload and no signs of fatigue.

"Rainbow Entertainment, they're doing a great job."

I didn't like the way they pushed the members, but their ability to seize opportunities and expand their influence was undeniable.

"Looking back, 'Purple Girls' success…."

Was it all thanks to Manager Jeong Sa-rom?

She had opened up the Japanese market while I was writing the script in Busan.

She had apparently pushed hard, predicting the success of "Pure Macho."

"It's a huge gain for me."

It wasn't a loss for my next project either.

With Mi-ryung, the leader of "Purple Girls," appearing as a supporting lead.

I checked the internet news on my smartphone.

"Pure Macho" has taken over Japanese primetime! K-Culture Invasion!

As expected, netizens followed with their usual national pride.

-Will the four major Japanese kings finally change? Haha

-Not yet, not to that extent Haha

-True, for a show that's only aired four episodes, it's really popular

-Legendary Hero, let's send him to the Hall of Fame

-Lee Sa-ma vs. Ji Sa-ma, choose your side Haha

-Probably a consensus on the five major kings Haha

Then,

Ding dong—

I thought the multiple authoring had quieted down, but my worries were unfounded.

【Content: The Reincarnated Eraser 12th Part】

【Genre: Time Loop, Romance, Crime Thriller】

【Location: 1st Floor Cafe, Tempest Entertainment】

【Time Limit: 23 hours】

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

【※ Deposit Amount: 0 won / 500 million won】

"Finally, the cafe…."

Thinking about the hard times in Busan, I shudder.

I wonder how long it's been since such a smooth location appeared.

"Tomorrow is the last shoot."

I'll write the script first and then visit the set.

* * *

The next day, at Tempest Entertainment.

I checked the light pattern in the now familiar cafe.

"Already the 12th part."

It was quite relaxed, as the project had already been confirmed.

After all, KBC had even made a pilot variety show.

It would be stranger if the drama production fell through.

Thud, thud—

This was probably the last amount I would write before the main actor meeting.

"Ah…!"

I gasped as the light pattern infiltrated my mind.

Tap, tap, tap—

"The Reincarnated Eraser 12th Part"

In this episode, the truck driver showed the essence of villainous acting.

The male protagonist barely overpowered him after a fierce battle.

*Cough*

In the end, he collapsed, spitting blood.

He considered using his regression ability, but he wasn't confident he could defeat the villain even if he regressed.

In the end, the person who cared for the fallen protagonist was the supporting female lead.

"Mi-ryung is regaining her memory… This means emotional expression will be really important."

The injured protagonist had partially lost his regression ability.

His memory-erasing ability was also partially sealed.

The key to this scene is Mi-ryung's psychological changes during this process.

"If this happens…."

Isn't the villain's role too prominent?

It would be difficult to fully express this character with average acting skills.

Suddenly, I thought of someone I had formed a bond with in "Pure Macho."

The only actor, besides the main cast, registered in the system.

"Actor Shin Jo-hoon."

"Pure Macho" hasn't aired up to episode 14 yet, but his potential will soon explode, and his value will rise.

I have to talk to him at the wrap party today.

Tap, tap, tap—

By the time I finished revising the script and did the final check.

"Are you here?"

"Huh?"

Tap, tap—

A woman with neatly cut brown hair slowly approached.

"Manager Jeong."

"Are you aware that today is the last shoot?"

"Ah, of course."

"I came to talk about a sponsor…."

"Manager Jeong."

"Yes?"

I immediately asked about Actor Shin Jo-hoon.

I clearly remembered recommending him for an audition at Tempest.

"Ah, yes. He's already signed."

That's good.

"Actually, all the staff were against it."

"Huh?"

"I decided to trust Writer Kim's judgment one more time."

"… Thank you."

After "Pure Macho" ends, he probably wouldn't be able to sign even if he wanted to.

Other agencies would offer him contracts worth hundreds of millions of won to snatch him away.

"But you mentioned a sponsor earlier…."

"Ah, a sponsor we hadn't contacted suddenly proposed to us."

"Who?"

"Oseong Foods offered to sponsor us. Do you know them?"

"Oseong Foods? That's where Jaejun shot the drink commercial."

"… But the next project has nothing to do with Actor Jaejun, right?"

That's true.

But if there's any connection,

"Because of my script?"

"Script?"

"Ah, the commercial script…."

At that moment, Team Leader Byeon slowly approached.

"Manager, Writer. We should go now. I've reserved a meat restaurant in front of JTBS."

Depending on the contract, the wrap party is usually handled by the production company.

Especially for a hit drama like "Pure Macho," the party itself becomes a piece of content.

Just posting it on Tempest's official YouTube channel would automatically bring in revenue.

"Let's go, Writer."

"Sure."

* * *

At the final shoot location for "Pure Macho."

I passed by the staff cleaning up the set and looked for someone.

"Actor Shin Jo-hoon."

"Ah, Writer!"

Dressed as a villain, he had a real gangster-like appearance.

"Thanks to you, I'm acting more comfortably these days."

"Thanks to me?"

"Yes! Acting without an agency is not easy."

"Ah…."

I awkwardly offered a handshake to Actor Shin.

"We're in the same boat now."

"Ah, ah, yes."

Ding dong—

The system officially recognized his presence.

【An actor who fits the role 91% has been found.】

【Do you want to register this actor for the role of 'Gold Si-hyuk'? (Y/N)】

This was the first time a role fit exceeded 90%.

Even if registered in the system, the fit rate is fixed at 100%, but considering the already completed script, I had to secure him.

"Actor Shin, have you decided on your next project yet?"

"Huh? Well, my agency…."

The main villain in the next project, who pushes the protagonist with a truck.

A fixer who has long handled dirty work for a wealthy family.

He could become a professional villain, but if he's okay with it,

Isn't this a golden opportunity to succeed in two consecutive projects?

"Let's work together again."

"Huh? Ah…."

In this project, the villain's charisma is even more important than in the previous one.

It's essentially the second most important role after the main cast.

At that moment, a man approached and put his hand on my shoulder.

"Writer Kim, let's have a drink today?"

"Ah… Mr. Choi."

Actor Choi Man-ho, who had finished his scenes long ago, came for the wrap party.

I looked around for someone to help, but they had all fled.

"Um…?"

Actor Shin Jo-hoon had also disappeared in that short time.

Actor Choi didn't remove his hand from my shoulder and headed straight for the party.

I couldn't refuse a drink from Mr. Choi.

But, Mr. Choi's drinking capacity was five and a half bottles of soju.

* * *

The next day, I felt like my soul had been stripped away by the alcohol, and my memory was hazy.

I opened the door and stumbled to the sofa.

Even as I lay down on the sofa, my head was still throbbing.

"Bro, can't you breathe with your mouth closed? You should worry about my nose too."

"… It's too hard."

"Then you can just go to your room."

Heejung was focused on a video on her smartphone.

"What are you watching?"

"I'm switching from Ji Sung-ho to Jaejun."

"They probably don't even know you exist."

"Ah, bro, you know my heart!?"

"I don't really want to…."

But, I suddenly wondered.

'Wasn't she a passionate fan of Ji Sung-ho for a long time?'

Didn't she spend 100,000 won on a video letter as a fan?

Swoosh—

I turned my head to check the smartphone in her hand.

A short drama featuring Jaejun as the lead, uploaded to YouTube.

"Campus Couple Soda 1st Episode. Full Version. (feat. Oseong Soda)"

-22 hours ago

-950,000 views

-60,000 likes, 500 dislikes

-8,000 comments

"… What is this?"

Something… something is happening.