Chapter 42

The next day, I entered my studio to write the 14th part of the regression story.

Even if I didn't, it's normal to come to the office.

Last night, my mind was filled with worries about Yoo Seol-a.

Just in terms of personal recognition, she far surpasses Purple Girls, doesn't she?

Purple Girls still have the image of being a fleeting star.

Well, I did make an appointment to have dinner with the CEO of Tempest.

"I need to talk to the CEO seriously when I meet him."

I guess it's because I've only worked with Manager Jung Sa-rom, so I rarely have any business with him.

The CEO of Tempest Entertainment, Jung Gi-tae.

The son of the chairman of Cheonseong Group and the younger brother of the vice president.

To be honest, I doubt he'll take my request seriously.

Especially if I suddenly ask to cast the national little sister in a role.

"Hmm…"

"What are you so worried about?"

Hwang Hyo-ju pushed up her horn-rimmed glasses and asked.

"…?"

Until recently, she used to wear full makeup and flashy outfits.

I wonder what kind of change in her mindset led her to degrade into sweatpants and a messy bun.

Did she get dumped by Team Leader Byeon?

"Maybe the gene dropout theory is correct."

It's like the short-necked giraffes that couldn't reach the high food and went extinct.

The theory that inferior genes couldn't survive through the process of degeneration.

"… I don't understand what you mean, but it feels bad."

"It's a compliment."

"Oh, okay!"

"Are you giving up on seducing Team Leader Byeon?"

"It's not that I'm giving up, but I did get rejected."

Did she really confess already? She's a complete stalker.

"Team Leader Byeon is off today."

"Oh, really? I'm not curious at all, but thanks for letting me know."

"I'm feeling depressed."

"When you're depressed, you should edit. Check the script for typos."

"Okay…"

She said she was depressed, but her mouth didn't stop moving.

"Hey, did you see the pure macho reaction yesterday?"

"Was it episode 14?"

"Yes. The reaction was intense."

After hearing her, I checked the ratings site.

"Monday-Tuesday drama ratings 1st place (16.4%): Heir of the Chaebol is a Pure Macho"

It was hard to believe even after seeing it again.

His debut work exploded on cable.

"The community is going crazy over the villain's acting."

"Villain?"

"Actor Shin Jo-hoon!"

"Oh…"

A character who had no presence before delivered a devilish villain performance.

Especially in the 14th episode of the drama I saw in advance, I expected his potential to burst.

"Thanks to that, the stock price of Tempest is really rising, you know?"

"Really?"

"Yes. Actors Jin Jae-joon, Ji Sung-ho, Shin Jo-hoon…."

"Once Kang Jun and Kim Hyun-ji also break out, it'll be a jackpot."

"Exactly!"

"Hmm, then revise the script. I'm going to write episode 14."

"Okay, brother."

Leaving her behind, I approached the white light cluster lingering in one corner of my studio.

"Hmm."

Soon, the light cluster entered my head, implanting the memory of a new drama.

Tap, tap-tap─

"Regression Story 14th Part: Erasing Memories"

"Now I can see the end."

In this episode, the nearly ultimate villain, Actor Shin Jo-hoon, will exit cleanly.

Since he also exited in episode 14 of Pure Macho, the system's pattern is similar.

Tap, tap─

I continued writing the 14th episode, which mostly involves the confrontation between the protagonist and the villain.

* * *

When Kang Jun arrived at the acting school, he felt a strange sensation.

"Is the school usually this crowded?"

Normally, there were only four students, but today it was bustling.

He himself attends with the support of Tempest Entertainment because the tuition is so expensive.

"Ah, it's Kang Jun!"

"Wow, it's because of him that the school is booming, right?"

"… He's kind of handsome?"

Thud, thud─

Then, the acting teacher entered and addressed the students.

"Students from other classes, please return to your practice rooms."

A well-known mid-level actor.

A notorious teacher who gives lectures and scolds students.

But he is a top-tier instructor in every aspect, from skills to experience.

Soon, the students left with various reactions.

Some looked envious, and others openly showed jealousy.

One common point was,

"They're looking at me like I'm a zoo monkey."

Hee-jung didn't hide her discomfort.

"Exactly. I'm not that special."

"Why? Objectively, you're the ace of our group."

"I'm just…."

Kang Jun looked at Hee-jung and hesitated.

'You can act again thanks to your brother.'

These days, he sometimes can't tell if this is reality or a dream.

He's grateful just for being able to act.

"Kang Jun, take care of the book."

"Hee-jung."

"Yes?"

He's afraid that if he wakes up from this dream, he'll be back to the Barum Entertainment era.

Until recently, he was chased by debt and survived on part-time jobs.

"I'll pay it all back."

"What?"

"There is. Something like that."

"???"

He wants to do something nice for Hee-jung, who is a good friend.

"Kang Jun."

"Yes?"

"Push-ups."

"Huh?"

"Not me, the teacher wants you to do push-ups."

Kang Jun turned to look at the acting teacher.

He was crossing his arms and nodding his head.

"No, Teacher, I was just talking with Hee-jung…."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"…?"

Hee-jung waved the practice script in her hand.

Not just Hee-jung, but the other three students were the same.

'Why only me…?'

* * *

KBC Broadcasting.

Key personnel, including the production team and the production company, were all gathered.

Many photos were hanging on the whiteboard.

"How about Actor Kim Chan-ho?"

"I don't think so. Actor Kim's image is too light…."

"Hmm…."

Director Song Gwan-soo and Manager Jung Sa-rom were having a conversation.

They were trying to match the supporting cast one by one.

"Excuse me."

As soon as I raised my hand, everyone's attention focused on me.

I have a more accurate eye than most casting directors.

"Can I meet each of them once?"

"Huh? All of them…."

"I can get a sense by just looking at their faces and shaking hands as I visit different agencies."

"…."

"Is it difficult?"

The script is already up to the 14th part.

What's needed now are actors with high 'compatibility.'

Characters that don't need to be 100% compatible according to the system.

So, actors who fit the role perfectly without being registered.

"I can tell just by having a light 3-minute, no, 1-minute conversation."

People looked at me with a bewildered expression.

I couldn't have said this during Pure Macho, but now I'm a recognized established writer with a second work.

Soon, Sa-rom answered with a firm expression.

"Let's do it that way."

Her eyes held a certain passion.

"Thank you for trusting me."

"Of course, you need to see the actors to know them."

"Y-Yeah. Haha."

"It's not a waste of my time, right?"

"…."

"It's all for the work."

"… That's right."

Someone then commented on the location.

One of the assistant directors from KBC.

"Some scenes will have to be filled with CG…."

"Yes, please go on."

He spoke cautiously.

"Because we also need to consider the production costs…."

"I heard that Director Joo will provide strong support."

"Even so, no matter how much production budget we have, it will never be enough."

That's true, so there's nothing to say.

"We'll check and filter out only the necessary scenes."

"Ah, yes. Thank you."

Director Song Gwan-soo, being an outsider, was careful about mentioning the production budget.

But he was sharply observing the supporting cast and background photos.

'He's the one who caused a big hit with directing skills alone.'

It's gratifying to work with such a person.

Soon, Director Song held a few background photos and spoke.

"We will get up early to scout locations."

Director Song looked at me.

"I'll check the supporting cast and let you know."

"Then, let's do that."

Until now, Director Song, who rarely touched the casting of actors.

He didn't mention any actors who didn't fit the character well.

A moment later, as the production team, including Director Song, disappeared, Sa-rom said.

"Maybe it's confidence."

"Huh?"

"I heard that the production company interfered a lot with casting during 'Draw the Star.'"

"Oh, then…."

He led the actors with acting controversies from the first episode.

"But our lead actors are already recognized."

"Kang Jun, Kim Hyun-ji, Mi-ryung."

"Yes. The writer verified them two or three times while in Busan. He was satisfied."

"… That's a relief."

Then, Sa-rom stood up and said.

"Let's go meet Actor Do Hyun-seok first."

"Huh?"

"You said you wanted to meet the supporting cast directly."

"Oh, yes."

I mentioned the dinner appointment I had in the evening as she walked away.

"Hey, I have dinner with the CEO today."

"… Really?"

"Yes. I thought I should let you know."

"Hmm, I understand."

Seeing Sa-rom's reaction, it was harder to gauge the CEO's personality.

'Are they close, or not?'

* * *

Incheon International Airport.

The blonde mixed-race beauty put her sunglasses on top of her head.

"Hmm, how long has it been since I was in Korea?"

One of her parents is Korean, but both live in the U.S.

So, she rarely visits unless she decides to.

Then, Jaden, who followed as a temporary secretary, said.

"Angela, why do you have three suitcases…?"

"Huh? I already reduced them."

"… We're only staying for a week, right?"

"Of course. If it were a month, I would have looked into international shipping."

"…."

People around her were busy glancing at the foreign beauty.

Most couldn't even think of approaching her due to the language barrier.

They wouldn't know she speaks Korean.

"Jaden, let's start looking for that writer…."

"Hey… Angela. There's something I didn't tell you."

"Huh?"

Jaden said with a slightly touched expression.

"To be honest, I didn't know the branch manager recognized me so much."

"???"

"I didn't expect to be brought on an overseas trip while leaving other employees behind…."

Especially since Jaden doesn't even speak Korean.

He felt genuinely recognized for his abilities.

But Angela's words shattered his good mood.

"Other employees have to work."

"Huh?"

"Jaden, if you don't work hard this year, you'll be fired."

"…."

Angela held a script while hailing a taxi.

"Pure Macho and Regression…."

Both works hit her taste perfectly.

Originally, she visited Korea to sign a contract for Kim Jin-woo's existing works.

'If…'

If his next work could be exclusively on Disney Play.

Of course, one or two works can't topple Netflix's dominance.

But if such works accumulate, they could get closer to the top.

"Can't wait, can you?"

Angela smiled happily and walked on.

* * *

"Wow, this is fancy."

A Michelin-starred restaurant, which I usually never visit.

For the CEO, this might be a daily routine.

Thud, thud─

As soon as I stepped into the restaurant,

A staff member in a high-class waitress uniform greeted