Chapter 56

The next day, at Tempest Entertainment.

As soon as I arrived at the company, I went to find Manager Jung.

"Mr. Writer, what is this...?"

A note with the name 'Na Jisu' and a phone number written on it.

"This is the director who will be in charge of Team B for our project."

"Director Na Jisu?"

"Yes. I've already informed Director Go."

Since he's a drama director who hasn't made his debut, it's natural for him to look puzzled.

From the way Director Go is acting, it seems they plan to assign two main directors.

I immediately took out the script and handed it to Manager Jung.

"What's this...?"

"Would you like to take a look? It's from the script of the regression drama that Director Na Jisu gave me."

Several cards with rough sketches.

"The scenes I imagined while writing the script match these exactly."

I took the scenes from the drama I had seen.

The pure macho Director Seong and the regression Director Song.

The talent of star directors who are called geniuses.

I've discovered such talent in a director who hasn't even made his debut.

"You might want to maintain a close relationship until he declares his independence."

".... Impressive."

"Isn't he? This person..."

"No, I mean, you, Mr. Writer."

"Me?"

"For now, I understand."

Swoosh—

Manager Jung then got up from his seat and brought something from the table.

I had heard that the manuscript fee for this project had finally been set.

"Hmm... 25 million won per episode?"

"Yes, Mr. Writer."

At this rate, I can't be called a quasi-star writer anymore.

Although I received 10 million won per episode for my previous work, it has doubled in no time.

A simple calculation shows that I'll earn 400 million won from this project.

Combined with the money I already have, after setting aside living expenses, it's enough to upgrade the system to the next level.

".... Is it insufficient?"

"No, no. Let's do it this way, Manager."

"Ah, yes."

'If I push for more, I might get a bit more...'

But if I do, Manager Jung might not take care of me like family anymore.

Other writers have their matters handled by other staff, not by Manager Jung himself.

Soon, Saerom smiled and handed me the contract.

Swoosh—

The contract she handed me wasn't just for the next project's manuscript fee.

"Uh? This is..."

"I've worked out the profit distribution for Actor Kang Jun."

"Ah..."

I had made a bold bet before, but receiving such a proposal is surprising.

"17% of the revenue generated by Artist Kang Jun will be attributed to Kim Jin-woo."

The management will be handled by Tempest, but the profits will go to me.

If Kang Jun's fans find out, they might call it a slave contract.

"Since you're not a company employee, stock options might be difficult."

"Hmm, but we should ask for his opinion..."

"Actor Kang Jun and Mr. Kang Cheol-jung have already confirmed, so don't worry."

".... Then I can live without doing anything now?"

"Still, you'll continue writing scripts, right?"

"Well, yeah..."

"An entertainer's popularity is fleeting. You need to keep taking care of Actor Kang Jun."

Manager Jung's firm tone.

My answer was practically set.

"Of course."

Kang Jun is my first patron.

If possible, I want to keep him for life.

I can give everything except my sister.

Soon, I opened the door of the manager's office and checked my bank balance.

[Bank Savings: 217,401,052 won]

"Wow, that's a lot of money."

I should give Manager Jung a gift.

Knock, knock—

[A moist, homemade Tiramisu cake!]

[Kim Jin-woo has sent you a gift and a message.]

"When did you earn so much money?"

Apart from the money for the system and what I gave to my parents, I haven't spent much.

In less than half a year, I've earned over 200 million won.

Even if they tell me to go to Alaska instead of Vietnam,

"No, wait. No, that's a bit..."

My system seems to read my mind.

I need to be careful with my words.

* * *

Creak—

I opened the door to my office at Tempest and went inside.

Happily, Hyo-ju and Kang Jun were chatting.

"Brother, you're here?"

"Yeah. Where's your passport?"

It's a bit too much to ask about a passport as a greeting.

"I made it."

"Good."

Hyo-ju, who speaks three languages, is always useful.

"Kang Jun, do you have any schedules today?"

"No, I have to go out in a bit."

"Are you busy with filming lately?"

"It is, but... since we started with the full 16-episode script, I have some leeway."

Indeed, shooting without wasting time.

"Still, you seem to have other schedules, right?"

"Yes. Uncle takes on whatever comes his way, hahaha."

Then some of that money will end up in my pocket.

I want to do something for him.

The more money he earns, the more my income increases.

'Like the O'Seong Cider commercial...'

Kang Jun looked puzzled.

"Brother...?"

"Kang Jun, have you received any commercial offers lately?"

"Many, thanks to you, hahaha."

"Really? Then your value will just keep rising, right?"

"???"

For example, using the system to increase Kang Jun's value.

【Benefit Enhancement Points: 4pt】

I haven't enhanced any benefits yet.

I'll keep a few for emergencies.

'Penny wise, pound foolish.'

【The user's will enhances multiple writing. The cooldown is reset.】

【Multiple Writing Lv 2: You can write multiple works simultaneously. 'Sub works' can be refreshed after a certain period. (Cooldown: 6 months)】

3 enhancement points remain.

To level up the same skill, I need 2 points.

Ding—

As soon as I met Kang Jun's eyes, an alert appeared.

【Content: Campus Romance, Second Story 1-8 Episodes】

【Genre: Romance, University, Quadrangle Relationship】

【Location: Near Sinchon Station, Yeonji University Campus】

【Time Limit: Unlimited】

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

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

"Wow... the triangle has become a quadrangle."

"Me?"

"Kang Jun, don't schedule anything except filming for a while."

"Huh? Ah, I'll talk to Uncle."

Now, I have an indescribable confidence in the system.

'... It's not just a coincidence.'

There's a direct connection to my inner thoughts and the surrounding situation.

"Maybe... there's a reason it has to be me."

* * *

Na Jisu came out to the meeting place with excitement.

"How could it be me!?"

I never thought I would be chosen to direct Team B, beating out so many competitors.

These days, Kim Jin-woo's name in the broadcasting industry is more than a top star.

Just the 25% rating is enough, let alone the fact that his ratings never fall but only rise.

"Even 'Pure Macho' and 'Regression' were similar."

By any standard, no script could match Kim Jin-woo's work.

The only work that could be visualized in my mind was his.

Soon, I arrived at the meeting place and looked around.

"I'm here first."

Director Ko Hyun-rae clearly said,

-We're going together because the writer strongly requested it.

After hearing Director Ko's words, I was so excited that I couldn't sleep.

To her, Kim Jin-woo was more impressive than any star writer.

His works inspired a greater passion in me as a director the more I read them.

Ding, ding—

Then, the cafe door opened, and Kim Jin-woo appeared.

Na Jisu stood up and waved slightly.

"Mr. Kim Jin-woo?"

"Hello, I'm Kim Jin-woo."

"Ah, hello. I'm Na Jisu..."

"I've been looking forward to meeting you."

"Me?"

"I was really surprised to see the drawings you did."

"Ah! You mean..."

"You drew exactly what I imagined."

"Of course!"

One word from Kim Jin-woo, the 'right answer.'

It felt like getting a big red circle on a test paper.

To Na Jisu, Kim Jin-woo was a genius.

She looked at him with bright eyes.

"Thank you, Mr. Writer!"

"Me?"

"I thought I might have been wrong..."

"There's no right answer in directing."

"Ah...!"

Now, even if he didn't say anything, Na Jisu was amazed.

On the other hand, Kim Jin-woo had a specific reason for calling her.

* * *

"Director Na Jisu."

"Me?"

"Since we'll be working together for a while..."

"???"

"I have something to say more casually."

"Ah, yes! Please go ahead."

Director Na, who always gives good answers, received a proposal.

"Are you busy these days?"

"Huh? Suddenly..."

"Can you spare about two weeks?"

I was thinking about the second season of Campus Couple Cider.

MBS has its own YouTube channel.

"I'll talk to Director Go and the manager separately."

"Ah..."

If we shoot it as a web drama and upload it, Kang Jun's popularity will skyrocket.

If a drama director, not an ad director, directs it,

"Will you do a web drama with me?"

This time, it's a real web drama, not an ad.

If we adjust Kang Jun's shooting schedule and shoot carefully,

'I'll make some money.'

A little later,

I left the meeting with Assistant Director Na Jisu and headed to a university campus in Seoul.

"There it is."

I found a spot after looking around the campus, where students were enjoying the romantic atmosphere.

I had been there once before, so it wasn't hard to find.

The bright white light that stands out even in broad daylight.

As soon as I stepped into it, the drama content flooded my mind.

"Of course... Jai-joon is back."

It makes sense since it's the second season.

A simple romance drama where Jai-joon and Kang Jun take turns showing their charm.

In the first season, the main story was about a man vacillating between two women.

In the middle, a new man enters and goes straight for Jai-joon's ex-girlfriend.

"Kang Jun actually comes off as more charming?"

It might be hard to attract male viewers, but it shouldn't be a big issue.

Campus and romance are always popular themes.

Most viewers will choose this web drama just to see the male actors.

Compared to the previous drama, there's more content and it's far from the cider commercial.

Tap, tap, tap—

"Campus Couple Cider, Second Story Episode 1"

Suddenly,

I paused while typing on my laptop.

Since it's a web drama, maybe I can take a more relaxed approach.

Initially, I edited and cut the script to fit the commercial in the first season.

Even if I transfer it as is, it might be awkward to connect with the previous season.

"I'll just write it with my pure talent."

I took my hands off the laptop and fell into deep thought.

Finally, I put the laptop in my bag and stood up.

* * *

Two days later.

Manager Saerom was talking with Jai-joon in the office.

"The article will come out today."

"I'm still in shock, Manager."

The Baeksang Arts Awards are just four days away.

Among them, one of the five male best actor nominees of the year.

Winning might be difficult, but it's more than enough for a newcomer.

He has surpassed Ji-seong-ho and is now one of the most promising talents at Tempest Entertainment.

Saerom smiled and offered some words of encouragement.

"It's all because of your hard work."

"Thanks to the writer."

"Well, of course, that's part of it."

Without mentioning his name, there was no need to.

There's only one writer who goes to where an unknown actor is working part-time to pitch a script.

"I'm being cautious about the next project. I'm also considering a movie."

"Understood."

"Then..."

Beep—

At that moment, Saerom's smartphone lit up.

It was a call from Kim Jin-woo.

"Hello."

-Manager, I'll send you a script, please read it.

"Is it about the overseas sales team 3, Kim Na-yeon?"

-No, it's for Jae-joon's next project.

"Me?"

-It's the fresh and new Campus Couple Cider Season 2.

Saerom looked at Jae-joon with wide eyes while on the phone.

Not long ago, the web drama co-produced with O'Seong Cider was a big hit.

When many viewers requested a second season, she didn't bat an eye.

-It's not the final version yet.

"Ah... I understand."

-Anyway, please consider uploading it to the MBS YouTube channel.

"Ah! So this time it's a web drama, not an ad?"

-Yes, Director Na Jisu will be directing it.

"Understood."

Click.

Saerom smiled slightly and said to Jae-joon.

"Jae-joon, let's put the next project on hold and shoot the backlog first."

"Why?"

Since a proven script was ready, there was no reason to refuse.

Ding—

Soon, Saerom received a message from Kim Jin-woo.

[Campus Couple Cider, Second Story 1-8 Episodes]

'That's a shame. If it had come out a little earlier...'

Actor Jai-joon might have had a chance to win an award at the Baeksang Arts Awards.