Chapter 4

Tempest Entertainment.

A solid company with a strong background, established with substantial capital from the Cheon Sung Group.

Several years ago, it significantly expanded its business and grew into a company that also produces content.

Among its departments, the Strategic Planning Division was in charge of overseeing major entertainment operations and production.

Jeong Saerom, the head of the division, was establishing herself as a key figure in the company run by her uncle.

However, employees who occasionally saw the CEO greet her warmly whispered that she was a parachutist.

Despite completing her doctoral studies in the United States and joining the company as a professional,

she had even kept it a secret from her uncle, meeting him for the first time during the interview.

Therefore, she was even more determined to prove herself through her capabilities.

"Why am I so drawn to this?"

Saerom was reading the 1 hour 20 minute script for the fifth time.

The three hours she spent waiting for the JTBS drama department PD passed in a flash.

Although it was a cliché-ridden drama, there was something different about it.

The atmosphere of the work was poetic, and the dialogue was exceptional.

Frankly, she wanted to become a PD and direct the drama immediately.

"The dialogue is alive... and the clichés are slightly twisted to fit the audience."

It is often said that theater is the art of actors, film is the art of directors, and drama is the art of writers.

This is because the importance of the script is higher in drama than in film, and higher in film than in theater.

"Such immersion in just one episode..."

The way to write a common theme in an uncommon way.

It's easy to say, but few writers actually show it.

"The male lead is on par with the main character."

The charm of the male and female leads stands out, but the character range is too narrow, making casting difficult.

However, the character of the male supporting lead is a role that could make anyone a star.

Even a decently handsome man with average acting skills could capture the public's attention.

A little later, Manager Jeong Saerom returned to the café at the appointed time.

However, when she asked for a seat, the PD was already gone.

"Hmm, did he go to the bathroom?"

Rustle─

Soon, Saerom found a note on the table.

She crumpled the note, which looked like it was written as a joke.

At that moment, a voice reached her ear.

"Hello, you're as beautiful as I heard. Haha."

"Who are you?"

A stranger greeted her and slowly approached.

He introduced himself as the PD of the JTBS drama team, whom she was supposed to meet today.

"Are you Manager Jeong Saerom of Tempest Entertainment's Strategic Planning Division...?"

"..."

Saerom was taken aback by the sudden situation.

"Are you sure?"

The man continued to verify her identity, even showing his employee ID as proof.

"Then who was that man earlier?"

"Huh? Who?"

"A man in a checked shirt and jeans, with droopy eyes and wavy hair."

"....?"

The man's puzzled expression at the detailed description suggested that the previous person had lied.

'Damn, I was tricked...!'

The situation was so absurd that she didn't even think to doubt it.

"Beautiful people are naturally suspicious. Hahaha."

"Coming here for business, yet constantly mentioning my appearance is unpleasant."

"Ah, haha. Is that so?"

Saerom clenched her teeth, realizing she had been played by a stranger.

"Show me the script first."

"Ah, ah. Yes. Among these, three works are from experts who completed the professional course at the JTBS Academy..."

"Yes. I'll judge them myself."

She showed an unusually sharp response, unlike her usual self.

Exactly 30 minutes later, she put down the six works and said,

"There are no works in today's selection that Seoho can act in."

"Ah, really? All the works you brought are good, right?"

"No. I find them quite disappointing."

Saerom's eyes, having seen 'such' works, had already become too high.

"Let's set up another meeting. I'll look for works personally until then."

"Of course, the filming by our side is still valid, right?"

"Of course. It's a contract."

"Ah... Yes. I understand for now."

Choosing a work with a pre-selected actor naturally takes time.

Moreover, the recent shortage of writers at JTBS made the selection process even longer.

A little later,

The PD cleared his throat and left, and soon Saerom also left the café.

"Ha, just one episode and... my pride is hurt."

If she had at least seen the second episode, her pride wouldn't have been so hurt.

If she hadn't seen that work, she might have just chosen something randomly.

But in this situation, it was impossible for her to be interested in other works.

"Who the hell is that guy!"

The only trace left by the man was a post-it note.

[Well, I'm off. Good luck!]

"What? It doesn't seem to be the writer himself..."

Impersonation is a clear crime.

But it was impossible to understand the purpose of his impersonation.

To scam? But why leave without a word.

To get attention? Then he should have asked for a number.

"Ah, if you get caught, I'll forgive you if you just tell me who wrote that script."

In any case, she hoped it wasn't the writer himself.

She didn't want to be so captivated by the work of a strange person in just one episode.

* * *

As soon as I got home, I read the second episode several times.

I hadn't checked the script thoroughly when I left the café in a hurry.

"Hmm, it's perfect except for a few typos."

There were naturally some typing errors due to the rushed writing.

But there were no awkward expressions or grammatical errors.

Objectively, my skills were not at this level.

"The system is generous."

Two scripts that were significantly better than the works I had written over six years of hard work.

The difference in quality from my original works was palpable, bringing a strange sense of self-doubt.

Indeed, at such times, a mental victory is necessary.

"Lucky me."

Now that I have the second episode, I'm satisfied enough to submit it to a small contest.

Honestly, the best immediate option is to contact a broadcasting station.

But with my connections, that was almost impossible.

If I start with the work I need right now,

the most important thing is which actors to cast.

"Purple Girls Seemi... It would be hard to even meet her, let alone cast her."

It would be easier if it were a lesser-known girl group or actress.

What is the best I can do as an unknown writer?

Maybe I should direct and shoot a web drama myself and post it on YouTube.

"It would probably fail. The quality of web dramas these days is no joke."

The important supporting male lead in this drama is no different.

Frankly, it would be difficult to find a high-level actor for a work written by a writer like me.

The only hope is to meet a good director who can cast a decent actor.

"Jaejun, right... Should I start by gently persuading him?"

The main male lead of "The Heir of the Chaebol is a Pure Macho."

The only person I realistically have a chance to approach.

The guy who got a lot of hate for stalking in a web drama featuring Purple Girls Seemi.

Because of the strange path I took to write this work, I couldn't even consider other castings.

If the supporting male lead or supporting roles were familiar actors or faces I knew, it would have been the same.

The transcendent power of filming a drama that doesn't exist in reality and implanting it in one's mind.

It's natural to want to fill the casting board recommended by the system.

"Maybe Jaejun will react if I show him the script."

There must be a reason for that guy and Seemi to appear in my work.

Perhaps he will also discover the brilliant light in the script like I did.

Feeling a sense of destiny, he might even suggest becoming brothers under the peach tree.

I then searched for Jaejun and looked at his profile.

No agency, a rookie in his first year, with only a few minor experiences listed.

"How do I contact him without an agency?"

Suddenly, I noticed the degree listed on Jaejun's profile.

Dongguk University Theater and Film Department, Class of 2018, the same alma mater as Kim Hee-jung.

I immediately texted my younger sister, thinking that the chances of knowing someone from the same school were high.

Sure enough, a reply came faster than expected.

"Indeed, the Kim family is thorough even among family members."

My younger sister started her business in earnest.

A simple number provision for 50,000 won, and a recommendation for 100,000 won.

It's a big sin to have raised a 24-year-old brat like her.

[Just the number, sir]

It's a problem that my younger sister demands 50,000 won just for introducing a contact.

But it's also a problem that I accept it without hesitation.

"Well, I should think of it as pocket money."

Why hesitate when I've invested 50,000 won, which is like my blood?

Ringing─

A man answered the phone after the tense ringing.

-Hello.

"Ah, um. Is this Jaejun?"

-Yes. What is it?

"I'm calling to offer you a drama role."

-Well... I'm really sorry, but I've quit acting.

"Come on, what a serious joke..."

Click.

"Ah, what the. Finish my work and quit!"

Who can offer warm comfort when my nose is bleeding?

Regardless of everything, I need the actor Jaejun right now.

Ringing─

I can't just throw away 50,000 won like this.

I had already sold the script to scam someone when writing the second episode.

After leaving Minju's studio, I couldn't see anything.

-Yes. Hello.

"I must cast Jaejun."

-As I said earlier...

"I wrote this work with you in mind as the lead."

-Lead...? Is it a web drama?

"No. It's planned as a 16-episode series."

Jaejun paused for a moment before continuing.

-Are you the director?

"I'm the writer."

-...I'm working part-time, so it's hard to spare much time.

"Then give me your address. Let's talk in person."

-Okay. I understand.

Click.

Like most newcomers, he was reserved.

It's hard to say how he will change when he becomes a top star.

"Who cares how he changes when he's a top star. We're only working together on this project."

Ding─

Just then, Jaejun sent me his address via text.

"Part-time job at a meat restaurant?"

I was already craving meat, so this was perfect.

My bank balance was starting to dwindle, but I was taught not to skimp on food.

* * *

"Ah, hello."

In front of the all-you-can-eat pork belly restaurant where we agreed to meet.

I arrived at the location listed in the address and called.

A tall man with an attractive appearance walked out.

'With this face, he's doing a part-time job at a meat restaurant? Usually, a café part-time job would pay more.'

As if reading my thoughts, Jaejun said,

"It's my father's restaurant."

"Ah... I see."

Jaejun, who played a poor stalker in a web drama.

His real face was even more plain and handsome.

"Sorry, but I need to go in quickly..."

"Jaejun, do you plan to continue acting?"

".... Honestly, I don't know. Reality comes first."

I could sense deep regret in his hesitation.

"You can decide after this project."

"Who are you to go this far for me...?"

"I told you. I'm a drama writer."

Since his reaction wasn't enthusiastic, I added,

"The female lead is Purple Girls Seemi..."

Jaejun flinched.

Given that he had worked with her before, this reaction was understandable.

However, my next words shattered his expectations.

".... If only. Honestly, I don't know how to cast her."

"Ah, um..."

"So what I want to say is, please read the two-episode script I wrote."

I handed him a stack of papers from my bag.

"Feel free to stop if it gets boring. Just read one scene and if it's interesting, read the next one."

Swoosh─

Jaejun raised his hand and took the script I offered.

"The protagonist of this drama, as I see it, is you. I haven't even considered anyone else."

"Thank you for saying that. I'll read it."

Jaejun returned to the meat-scented restaurant.

"Our young actor has been through a lot."

At least he accepted it with a positive attitude.

If not,

"I would have made him eat all-you-can-eat pork belly until he took the script."