Chapter 54

［I don't have a passport ㅠㅠ］

After receiving Hwang Hyo-ju's text, I felt my energy drain away.

I had made one just in case, but it's common for people not to have passports.

“First… you can’t go to Vietnam alone, anyway.”

Vietnam isn’t an English-speaking country, after all.

I’ll make an exception just this once.

I replied to Hyo-ju, telling her to get a passport, and then checked the flight tickets.

［May Special: 270,524 won］

Ziiing─

While checking the flight tickets at home, my smartphone lit up.

Director Sung Ki-hoon from JTBS Drama Department, whom I hadn’t heard from in a long time, contacted me.

“Hello, Director?”

-Kim Writer, how are you?

“I’m fine. How about you, Director?”

-I’m doing well too. Hehe.

“But, what’s the matter…?”

-Actually….

Every year in May, JTBS hosts the Baeksool Art Awards.

It was an invitation to one of the three major film festivals, along with the Grand Bell Awards and the Blue Dragon Film Awards.

“Me?”

-They just want you to grace the occasion. Moreover….

“Ah….”

-Our Pure Macho has been nominated for many awards.

“Really?”

-Injae Jun and Semi are both nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress.

“Wow… being nominated alone is a great achievement.”

It was a significant feat to be nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress, skipping the New Actor category.

It also proved the explosive popularity of Pure Macho.

-Our Shin Jo-hoon is nominated for Best New Actor.

“Great. Is that it…?”

-Yes.

… Ji Sung-ho, fight!

-Actually, the most likely winner for the Grand Prize is TVM’s “Heavenly Blue.”

“Right. It was really amazing last winter.”

-But we don’t know about the Best Actor and Best Actress awards, especially in the female category.

“Hmm… I understand.”

-Yes. I’ll send you the date and time via text.

“Thank you, Director.”

Click.

Unlike the Grand Bell Awards or the Blue Dragon Film Awards, this ceremony includes the TV category.

Winning the Grand Prize in the TV category is probably the hardest among all domestic award ceremonies.

Only one person or one work from all the dramas and variety shows broadcast on the three major networks, cable, and pay channels can win it.

Moreover, a variety show or a national MC could win the Grand Prize, not just an actor or a drama.

Even a single drama writer could win the Grand Prize, making it almost impossible to predict the winner.

“Jae-jun probably won’t win because of ‘Heavenly Blue.’”

I don’t know how Semi could win either.

Considering she might be cast in a work by Director Bong Jin-ho.

“She’s really grown a lot.”

It’s the only award ceremony that can be expected from cable and pay channels.

It boasts more authority than the acting and entertainment awards of the three major networks.

“That’s proof of how much I’ve grown… Oh! Special offer!”

［May Special: 230,142 won］

It dropped by 40,000 won from earlier.

I’ll regret it for ten years if I miss this.

Tada, tada─

“What a great chance!”

The internet was slow, and no matter how many times I clicked the mouse, it wouldn’t go to the next page.

Finally, it went to the payment page, but then…

［Sold out. Please choose another product.］

“Damn!”

I’ll have to wait again.

Vietnam, here I come─!

There’s still one hour until my meeting with actor Yeo Min-seo at Tempest.

* * *

“Director, the fact that Injae Jun is nominated….”

“I’ve already leaked enough to the media.”

“Oh, already….”

“The moment it’s made public, it will flood the portals.”

Nominee for the Baeksool Art Awards Best Actor.

Anyone who follows the entertainment industry would understand the significance.

Being nominated as a newcomer is a huge deal.

If he were to win unexpectedly…!

‘It’s tough.’

The competition is too strong.

“Semi might have a chance.”

“Even so, it’s hard for a newcomer to win. Especially, last year’s Seo Joo-hee….”

“Hmm.”

The winner is decided by the votes of seven authorities.

If he met their standards, given his already sufficient popularity, it’s not impossible.

Knock, knock─

At that moment, Yeo Min-seo knocked and entered the director’s office.

“Min-seo, you’re here?”

“Yes.”

I was quite surprised when we talked alone yesterday.

I thought she would ignore me with her prickly personality.

“Writer Kim Jin-woo will also be here.”

Yeo Min-seo flinched and said softly.

“I just… thought the work looked good, so I wanted to talk about it.”

“Okay.”

“… Since it’s a lead role for Yoo Seol-a, I read it!”

“I know.”

Sae-rom smiled at Min-seo’s hurried explanation.

In Kim Jin-woo’s previous work, the main female lead, Kim Hyun-ji, caused the casting to fail.

Ultimately, casting Mi-ryeong, the drama is now praised as a rare gem on KBC.

‘Clearly, Writer Kim Jin-woo has a good eye for talent.’

He has a more accurate eye than any casting director I know.

It’s almost certain that he writes the script with the roles already decided.

In other words, even if Yeo Min-seo bends her pride, if she’s not in his consideration, it won’t matter.

Knock, knock─

At that moment, Kim Jin-woo’s voice was heard with a knock.

“Director, it’s Kim Jin-woo.”

“Come in.”

Creak─

The suffocating silence followed, as I knew their relationship wasn’t good.

Just as Sae-rom was about to speak.

Yeo Min-seo broke the silence first.

“… I enjoyed the work.”

“Kim Na-yeon from the Overseas Sales 3 Team?”

“Yes. It was interesting.”

In fact, Sae-rom didn’t expect her to react this way.

She had never bowed down, even when the work was in trouble.

“If I’ve been rude, I apologize. I’m sorry.”

Sae-rom swallowed and stared at Kim Jin-woo, who, contrary to her worries, spoke seriously.

“I’ve also been rude. I’m sorry, Yeo Min-seo.”

Perhaps both were not truly sincere in their apologies.

It was just a return to a professional relationship from a slightly strained one.

‘This is enough.’

Kim Jin-woo’s third masterpiece.

The gears began to turn slowly.

“Shall we talk about the roles now?”

* * *

MBS Drama Production Department.

The news of Kim Jin-woo’s visit was hot among the staff.

No rookie writer had ever started with such success in this industry.

A woman approached Director Ko Hyun-rae.

“Senior, I heard he’s really cool. Is that true?”

“No, he’s just a person.”

“No, that’s not true. He’s really famous, right?”

“What for?”

“I heard the actors in his dramas follow him really well.”

“Who?”

“For example, Purple Girls… Oops.”

Ko Hyun-rae covered his junior’s mouth and looked around.

“Are you trying to get me in trouble?”

Purple Girls’ popularity in Japan is soaring.

As a result, their recognition in Southeast Asia is rapidly increasing.

Given the Korean characteristic where overseas popularity quickly translates to domestic popularity, the idolization of Purple Girls will continue for a while.

“Phew, Senior, your hands are so dirty! Did you not wash them?”

Na Ji-soo, one of the few female directors at MBS Drama Department.

She was known for her social skills and had become close with her seniors right after joining.

Although she hasn’t directed a film yet, she was confident in her abilities as an assistant director.

“Is the assistant director for B team for this new Kim Jin-woo’s work not decided yet?”

“It is, but….”

Director Ko looked around.

Everyone was eyeing the position like hyenas.

“I’ll choose, so don’t worry.”

“Yes, Senior. Hehe.”

The B team, supporting the main director of A team, was responsible for shooting detailed scenes outside the main scenes.

A while later,

Kim Jin-woo appeared at MBS with Jung Sae-rom.

It was an important meeting regarding the MBS drama lineup, but they showed no signs of worry.

Thud, thud─

The staff pretended to be indifferent but sneakily glanced at them.

Especially, Na Ji-soo, who was staring at Kim Jin-woo with bright eyes.

On the other hand, Kim Jin-woo tried to ignore the gazes, but his back was drenched in sweat.

“Director.”

“Yes.”

“Have you ever been to Vietnam?”

“Eh… suddenly?”

“I just thought of it.”

“… Don’t say that even as a joke.”

At that moment, Kim Young-sik, the head of MBS Drama Production Department, came out in slippers to welcome them.

“Oh, Writer, you’re here?”

“Director, hello.”

“Let’s go inside first. Ha ha.”

“Yes.”

“Would you like any drinks…?”

“A warm iced coffee.”

“…”

“Or green tea if you don’t have it.”

Sae-rom shook her head, seemingly giving up.

* * *

Kim Young-sik, the head of MBS Drama Department.

He was the most approachable among the directors I’ve met.

Not at all authoritative, more like a businessman who would do anything for profit.

Right now, he’s the most welcome personality to me.

“It’s not easy for a rookie writer to succeed twice. Ha ha.”

“Thank you for saying that.”

“It’s all because of the great script.”

“Ah… yes.”

Just as I was about to be overwhelmed by the flattery.

Sae-rom timely brought up the casting.

“Director, would you like to see the prepared materials?”

“Yes, let’s see.”

The casting candidates neatly listed in the materials prepared by Director Jung.

However, most of the main roles were already decided.

“Wow, the lineup is so impressive. Ha ha.”

Yoo Seol-a, Ki Hyun-su, Yeo Min-seo.

Names that most people, except those completely uninterested in the entertainment industry, would recognize.

Among them, Yoo Seol-a is undoubtedly a top star.

“Are all these roles cast?”

“Yes, Director.”

The director smiled contentedly.

“This might really surpass TVM’s ‘Intern.’”

“It won’t be easy, but we’ll try.”

A groundbreaking work in the realistic office genre.

However, no work has surpassed ‘Intern’ since then.

It was a difficult genre to succeed in, with a high dependence on the script.

But, the director made an unexpected suggestion.

“By the way, the director for B team hasn’t been decided yet….”

“Oh, really?”

“I’ll select a good one.”

“Yes, Director.”

I would prefer someone with considerable directing experience for the B team assistant director.

Or someone with outstanding talent, like the star directors who have passed through my works.

‘Of course, that won’t be easy.’

“There are many assistant directors who want to direct your work.”

“Really?”

“Being part of a hit will make it easier to debut in the next work.”

“Ah….”

After the drama meeting, as we left the director’s office.

Some assistant directors approached, trying to be friendly.

“Writer, ‘Regression’ hit 22% ratings, congratulations. Ha ha.”

“I’m the joint director of ‘Three Families’ PD.”

What’s that?

The director’s words don’t seem to be empty.

I didn’t know I was so popular among the directing staff.

“Are you thirsty? Have a can of drink….”

Someone offered a drink, trying to lobby subtly.

“Writer, please take a look at this script.”

Someone handed over a script.

A woman with a gentle appearance, who seemed to have run over, was sweating.

“Overseas Sales 3 Team Kim Na-yeon, Part 1”

‘My script?’

“I added my interpretation and some drawings.”

“Really?”

She bowed deeply with a smile and quickly walked away.

“Hmm….”

As I walked out, I glanced through