Chapter 48

Some time later, on the day of the press conference.

I got into the car driven by Hyo-ju and headed to the press conference venue.

"You drive well."

"Actually, I'm good at everything except writing scripts."

".... Now that I think about it, you speak three languages, don't you?"

"Yes, English and Japanese."

She's as impressive as the real 'Kim Na-yeon' in real life.

"You should make your debut too."

"It's still a long way off. I have to catch up to even a fraction of what you've achieved, Oppa."

"Um…."

Soon, Hyo-ju brought up a meeting that had taken place not long ago.

"Oppa, but are we really doing a drama with Lady Yu Seol-a?"

"I don't know. It depends on whether she likes the script."

"Come on, you're being too modest. The script is really good."

As Hyo-ju said, just reading the script, it outshines most office dramas.

It well expresses the hardships of real corporate life through the perspective of the capable Kim Na-yeon.

"I don't know which broadcasting station it will be on, but I hope it gets a good slot."

"To be honest, if we can get Lady Yu Seol-a, it won't be a problem, right?"

Squeak─

Soon, the car driven by Hyo-ju arrived at the destination.

Thud, thud─

I stepped into the spacious press conference venue, which had many seats like an open theater.

On the front, large posters of the main actors, including Kang Jun, were hung.

Two women gazing wistfully at one man.

Although Mi-ryeong was a supporting actress, due to her popularity, her ratio was the same as Kim Hyun-ji's.

"This is the second press conference this year."

* * *

The event proceeded without delay.

A trailer edited from the best scenes of the first episode was shown on the screen.

I stood to the side and slowly observed the expressions of the journalists watching the video.

"The reactions aren't bad."

"They're good."

At that moment, a voice came from beside me, and I turned my head.

"Manager Jeong. You're here."

"Yes, Writer."

Didn't you say you were busy and couldn't come today?

It seems you managed to find some time.

"Writer, you always amaze me."

"Yes?"

"How do you always bring a new work at this time every year?"

"Ah…."

Manager Jeong raised one hand to show a script.

"The last time was on the day of the press conference for 'Pure Macho.' But this time, you prepared the first part even faster."

"Hehe. That's how it turned out."

Actually, I was curious about Manager Jeong's reaction.

This was the first time I had brought up the story since the meeting with Yu Seol-a a while ago.

"It's interesting."

"Ooh!"

"…. But I can't guarantee that Lady Yu Seol-a will accept it."

"What? Why!"

You said it was interesting!

"It's not a romance, and it's not a princess character. Most importantly…."

"Ah…."

"I remember reading an interview where she said she suffered a lot in her previous work."

She said she didn't want to act in such a painful role again.

"It's difficult."

As always, a short while later, the main actors, including the director and the writer, took the stage.

The event concluded after lightly answering the MC's and journalists' questions.

At that moment, Team Leader Byeon approached me.

"Writer, good job."

"Yes, Team Leader."

"Are you going to the after-party today?"

"That's…."

I'm not usually the type to skip such events, but I feel a bit tired and want to rest.

"Today, guests from other agencies are coming to the after-party."

"Guests?"

"Yes. The main and supporting actors and their colleagues."

"Ah, then…."

It seems better to go to the after-party.

Except for Tempest and Purple Girls, I don't know many people.

I don't have a wide network of familiar actors yet.

"I'll go."

As long as the system exists, the wider the actor network, the better.

* * *

Click─

The manager got into the car and spoke.

"Today's schedule includes a photo shoot and a radio call-in. And… um."

He turned to the silent celebrity.

At the end of his gaze was a woman holding a script with a red ribbon.

At a glance, the script was filled with various highlighter marks and handwritten notes.

'How many times has she read this script…'

Once she focuses, she doesn't hear anything around her.

She often gets lost or enters the wrong room because of this.

'So, that's Yu Seol-a.'

A woman in her late twenties, but with the youthful beauty of someone in her early twenties.

An artist recognized for her music, acting, and singing, she was different from the rest.

Compared to ordinary people, her level of concentration was on a different plane.

"Hey, hey, hey! Oppa, are you here?"

"…. We're heading to the next schedule."

"Okay!"

On the other hand, Yu Seol-a, deeply engrossed in the script, fell into her own thoughts again.

She had her reasons for reading the script multiple times.

'It feels like a movie script.'

The scene transitions had a certain dignity, and each line of dialogue required interpretation.

A woman overcoming poverty and following an elite path.

A protagonist who easily overcomes colleagues' jealousy and never shows her emotions.

Even the final scene, where she takes off her heels and walks home barefoot, is significant.

The focus moves from below to above, as she ascends to a high place.

'Is it expressing the ambition of an individual to reach a high position?'

But no matter how high she climbs, she can't escape the slums.

'Furthermore…'

Walking barefoot must mean that the protagonist is bound by the harsh adversities she faces.

Like her colleagues and superiors from other departments holding her back.

In addition, there are countless interpretations hidden in each scene.

'How long must she have prepared to write such a script?'

This is definitely a work she has been preparing for years.

It's not something she wrote after 'The Reincarnator Who Erases Memories.'

"Lucky."

Actually, I wanted to avoid method acting for a while.

But I can't turn down the opportunity to play the protagonist in such a work.

"I think so too."

"Huh?"

"I think Writer Kim Jin-woo is lucky too."

"….?"

"Under normal circumstances, how would a new writer get a meeting with you?"

She has a lot of pride in her artists.

Seol-a looked at him quietly, then smiled and shook her head.

"No, Oppa. I'm the lucky one."

"Huh?"

"Let's go."

By the way, the drama's broadcast is almost here.

'The Reincarnator Who Erases Memories…'

I'm really curious to see how it will look on screen, even after reading the script.

* * *

At the after-party of the press conference.

Perhaps because many famous actors were gathered, it seemed like a quiet drinking session to build camaraderie.

"This is neat."

"Right? Sir, have a drink!"

Kang Jun's tone was getting higher, so he shouldn't drink any more.

At that moment,

Ding, ding─

The door to the drinking session opened, and famous people entered.

The Rainbow family, including Purple Girls, came in.

"Oh? They're here too."

At the end of Kang Jun's gaze, an actor took a seat.

"Actor Ki Hyun-soo."

A promising actor promoted by Rainbow Entertainment.

He's a handsome actor, probably because he's from an idol agency.

Thud, thud─

As always, I approached to greet them.

I have a habit of checking if I can register new actors in the system.

"Semee, it's been a while."

"Ah, Writer! Hello!"

"How have you been lately?"

"Yes! I recently went to an audition…."

"An audition?"

Isn't Semee's level too high for auditions now?

Especially recently, everyone is vying to sign her.

"It's for Director Bong Jin-ho's movie."

"Ah….!"

He's a world-class director.

Just getting the opportunity to audition is proof of her rising status.

"I hope it goes well. Sincerely."

"Thank you, Writer."

The appearance of Purple Girls lifted the mood of the after-party.

Recently, their popularity has skyrocketed.

Especially in Japan, thanks to the popularity of 'Pure Macho,' Semee's popularity is unparalleled.

She's called 'Semihime' after 'Jiyeonhime,' and her popularity has soared.

'Well… I'm proud.'

I'm here, but it's a relief that Semee is doing well.

Kang Jun and Ji Seong-ho were chatting loudly, even without me.

"Writer, if the ox's hoof is frozen, what's it for? Hehehe."

"Whatever, whatever."

"Bold statement!"

"Wow…."

"Is it bad?"

"Super fun!"

The two of them, drunk, were annoying me.

I want to tie them up and leave them at a highway rest stop.

'Oh, by the way…'

I suddenly remembered that there was someone I hadn't shaken hands with.

I was so busy talking to Semee that I didn't greet the Rainbow actors.

On one side, Mi-ryeong, Kim Hyun-ji, and Actor Ki Hyun-soo were exchanging drinks.

In the noisy after-party, they were quietly sipping their drinks.

Actor Ki Hyun-soo.

An actor who survived solely through acting in the idol world of Rainbow.

If I had to rank him, he's probably similar to Ji Seong-ho before 'Pure Macho.'

Thud, thud─

As I slowly approached, Mi-ryeong and Kim Hyun-ji noticed me.

Actor Ki stood up and shook my hand.

"Actor Ki Hyun-soo, nice to meet you."

"Hello! I've heard a lot about you from my juniors."

Actually, I didn't have high expectations.

The system didn't activate today.

Ding dong─

But the system often defies my expectations.

【An actor who fits 90% of the role has been found.】

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

'I found it!'

The role I gave up on casting during the first part's writing.

A character who is a gentleman during the day and a club rat at night.

"Actor Ki, can you give me your phone number?"

"Me? Ah, yes!"

It was too early to mention casting.

"I'll definitely contact you later."

The situation is different from the Im Jae-joon barbecue shop.

Frankly, back then, we were thinking of making a web drama together.

* * *

Time passed, and the morning of that day arrived.

The first broadcast of 'The Reincarnator Who Erases Memories.'

Manager Jeong Sa-rom was arranging the second meeting with Yu Seol-a.

"Yes. Let's meet at Lotem Entertainment tomorrow."

-It's a bother, I'm sorry.

"It's because Actor Yu Seol-a is busy. We have to bear with it."

-Thank you for understanding.

"Then, see you tomorrow…."

-Yes, then.

Click.

While checking additional conditions, someone knocked on the manager's office door.

Knock, knock─

"Come in."

Team Leader Byeon Hyeok-ju entered with the manager's permission.

"Manager, the SNS influence of the two of them is much greater than expected."

"I just predicted it, didn't I?"

The promotional posts for 'The Reincarnator Who Erases Memories' on Im Jae-joon and Ji Seong-ho's SNS.

They said they would definitely watch the live broadcast at home tonight at 10 PM.

"I didn't expect Semee to post the same thing."

"Mi-ryeong is also a lead actor."

"Ah, that's true."

"Thanks to her, fans in Japan are also looking forward to it."

It's a cliché, but effective viral marketing.

Viewers know it's promotion, so it could backfire.

But considering the recent popularity of the lead actors in 'Pure Macho,' it's a meaningless worry.

If this happens, there will be people who will be disappointed.

"The winner of this competition will be decided today."

"You mean Writer Lee Min-ju…?"

Now, everyone in the industry knows.

They've been talking about the competition between master and disciple for months.

Director Cha Chung-heon and Writer Lee Min-ju's new work.

The situation is not much different, with top stars in the cast.

They've been promoting their own dramas using the same agency and network.

"Their reaction is not very positive."

"It's because long-absent celebrities are posting on SNS."

"Yes. Because of that, there are viewers who are criticizing the drama itself…."

"I don't know yet."

There's another reason why today's drama performance is important.

"Once today is over…."

"Yes?"

"No, no. You can leave now."

"Yes, Manager."

Because the broadcasting station for Kim Jin-woo's next work, 'Kim Na-yeon of the Overseas Sales Team 3,' hasn't been decided yet.

It's natural for broadcasters to decide on scheduling based on the performance of this work.

Squeak, thud─

Soon, Team Leader Byeon left, and Sa-rom muttered quietly.

"Once today is over, the real results will be clear."

A crucial turning point that reveals the true value of Writer Kim Jin-woo.

Sa-rom was one of the people who had been waiting for today more than anyone else.

"I hope it goes well."

It's a market where you can't be confident until you see the results.

Naturally, I'm looking forward to it because I've put a lot of effort into it.

* * *

Meanwhile, at the same time.

Ding dong─

I felt puzzled by the system's sudden activation at home.

【Content: Kim Na-yeon of the Overseas Sales Team 3, Part 2】

【Genre: Office, Company, Ensemble】

【Location: Lotem Entertainment Lobby】

【Time Limit: 8 hours per day for 1 day】

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

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

"Lotem Entertainment….?"

The system activated while I was checking the SNS of the stars.

Right now, a silent war is being waged on SNS.

One is my drama, the other is Lee Min-ju's work.

A recommendation relay among top stars communicating with fans through SNS.

"Hmm….? This is…."

《Yu Seol-a: Post 412 / Followers 20.1 million / Following 87》

［I can't wait to see it! ㅎㅎ］

［#TheReincarnatorWhoErasesMemories #KBC Live Broadcast #FavoriteWriter］

Someone has joined the battlefield to end this war.