Chapter 57

Najisu, the assistant director of MBS, read the script with a serious expression.

"Campus Couple Soda, Episode 2"

A work that had been thoroughly tested and proven by Jaejun Lee in Season 1.

I heard that the sales of Oseong Soda temporarily increased by 15 times at that time.

The fact that they entrusted the second season of such a work to me means...

".... Could they be testing me?"

The reason for feeling this way was simple.

It was different from the works of Jinwoo Kim that he had read so far.

A pure-hearted macho, a regressive, and the overseas sales team 3.

Even with just the first season of Campcou, everything was vivid in his mind.

"This work is impossible to imagine!"

What exactly is the difference!

He boasted of his talent, but the true meaning of genius was beyond his grasp.

"Hmm... Stay calm."

He took a deep breath and looked at the script again.

The plot was definitely clean, and the dialogue flowed naturally.

"Hold on."

A genius writer who had achieved success with two hits in less than half a year.

When compared to Jinwoo Kim's previous works, a strange difference became apparent.

"This... There's a place for me to fill in!"

Yes. He finally found it.

The distinctive characteristic that differentiated it from previous works.

Is that why?

The conviction that Jinwoo Kim was giving him a test grew even stronger.

Perhaps it was Jinwoo Kim's hidden intention to prove his skills by filling in the gaps.

"Assigning such a task to a director who hasn't even made a debut...?"

If he passes this test in this work.

Perhaps he will debut as the main director in the next work.

To think that his debut work would be Jinwoo Kim's!

The excitement and anticipation were overwhelming just by imagining it.

Swish─

Najisu lifted two profile sheets.

They were just pieces of crumpled paper, but the content was not light.

They were the hottest figures in the entertainment industry recently.

【Jaejun Lee: Main male lead in "Heir's Pure-hearted Macho." One of the candidates for the Best Actor award at the Baeksang Arts Awards...】

【Joon Kang: Main male lead in "The Regressive Who Erases Memories." A child actor turned acting genius. Currently achieving a 25% viewership...】

The best talents discovered by Jinwoo Kim himself within Tempest Entertainment.

They were known in the industry as the 'Jinwoo Kim Corps.'

This level of talent was too much to be used just as test material.

"Ugh! How did I end up...?"

Though he felt the pressure, he had no intention of disappointing Jinwoo Kim.

Najisu firmly resolved in his heart.

He would complete the mission given to him and one day become a part of the Jinwoo Kim Corps.

* * *

I was waiting for someone in the Tempest Entertainment studio.

"Director Najisu must not be disappointed with my script, right?"

While it's true that I received help from the system this time as well.

This script is something I wrote on my own, following up on the previous season's advertisement.

"I deliberately changed the dialogue and developed the plot as I saw fit."

Well, he'll figure it out on his own.

He's a real genius, unlike me.

From what I can see, he was in the same department as Director Song Gwan-soo.

A web drama starring Jaejun Lee and Joon Kang.

It seems it will be uploaded to the Nertube channel operated by MBS.

It will probably become a bullfrog that devours the web drama scene as soon as it's uploaded.

Unlike the previous advertisement drama, the director is of the highest caliber by my standards.

"If this fails... It will be entirely my fault."

This is the first time I've written exactly as I wanted since the system appeared.

Drr─

At that moment, the door opened, and Hyoju, whom I was waiting for, came in.

"Hyoju, did you confirm it?"

"Yes, brother. I really got to present this time."

"Wow..."

"Congratulations!"

The opportunity came to me because last year's script award winner couldn't attend.

"How did I end up presenting?"

"Come on, be humble! Where can you find a hotter writer than you these days?"

"Maybe there's a little influence from the JTBS side?"

"JTBS?"

"Director Bang and Director Sung, they're close to me... Well, relatively close."

"Hmm... That makes sense."

First, the Baeksang Arts Awards are organized by the Joongang Ilbo Cultural Department.

The broadcasting rights for the ceremony are always exclusively held by JTBS, which is owned by the Joongang Ilbo.

"Brother, the JTBS side has given me the script."

"... I have stage fright."

"But it's an opportunity that others would want but can't get."

"That's true."

It probably wouldn't have been possible with just the pure-hearted macho work.

With the regressive doing well these days, I think this opportunity was given.

"First, let's..."

I'll edit the script to suit my taste.

* * *

Time passed, and the day of the ceremony was fast approaching.

For viewers, it's just a routine of flipping channels at home in the evening.

But for many in the entertainment industry, the Baeksang Arts Awards are a matter of great interest.

"Brother, you look amazing today."

I believe what Hyoju, who never speaks insincerely, said.

At the press conference, I just went along with whatever the 'teachers' painted on me.

But today, I went to a 'shop' for the first time and got a 100,000 won makeup job.

I looked at my awkward appearance in the mirror.

The light brown hair with a slight wave looked lively.

The slightly droopy eyes had transformed into naturally large eyes.

"This is the power of capitalism."

A world where you can buy and sell faces with money.

Of course, you can also raise the system level with money.

"Hyoju, what are you doing today?"

"Looking at the script... I have to monitor you, brother."

"Right. Give me some support."

"Fight!"

"No, not now."

I've been memorizing the script for the past few days, but I still haven't gotten used to it.

"If I make a mistake later, what will happen?"

"It's nothing much."

"Really?"

"Other than being permanently preserved on Nertube."

"... Thank you for letting me know."

Ding─

At that moment, a message came from Manager Jung Saerom.

[Writer, can you come to the manager's office for a moment?]

* * *

Saerom frowned at the materials handed to her by Team Leader Byun.

"Who wrote this?"

"Manager Lee Mungu..."

"Ah... From now on, please manage Manager Lee's work directly, Team Leader Byun."

"Yes, Manager."

If she hadn't checked it in advance, it could have been a disaster.

Almost, Yuminseo and Jinwoo Kim would have stood side by side in the photo zone.

'Thinking about it makes me shudder.'

Some employees naturally assumed that the two had a good relationship.

Since Yuminseo was cast in Jinwoo Kim's work.

'Well, they're not bad now...'

But there's no reason for them to be together.

"Minseo, let her go with Jaejun or Sung-ho."

"Yes, Manager."

Knock, knock─

At that moment, Jinwoo Kim's voice was heard.

"It's Jinwoo Kim."

Team Leader Byun opened the door for him on his way out.

He bowed to Jinwoo and left the manager's office.

"Hmm...?"

Soon, Jinwoo Kim closed the door and slowly walked in.

For a moment, I thought someone else had come in.

His neatly combed hair.

A clean tuxedo, including the shoes.

An actor's makeup that made you doubt if he had plastic surgery.

Even when he went to the club, he never looked this fancy.

"... You're here, writer?"

"Yes, Manager."

"Today, you'll walk the red carpet with Hyunji Kim, right?"

"Ah, yes?"

"Yes."

The cast of "The Regressive Who Erases Memories" was also expected to attend the ceremony and add to the atmosphere.

Although they didn't qualify for the award due to the condition that one-third of the episodes must be aired before the judging.

Given the rare high ratings and the outstanding buzz, JTBS desperately requested their attendance.

"Are you going, Manager?"

"No, I'll watch it on TV."

"Ah..."

Soon, Jinwoo Kim stood up and spoke.

"Manager."

"Yes?"

"Have you been to the Maldives?"

"..."

"I haven't been there."

Manager Jung Saerom looked at Jinwoo Kim with a blank expression.

Silence. Silence. Silence.

After a 3-second silence that felt like it would freeze, he spoke.

"Just kidding. Haha."

With those final words, Jinwoo Kim left the manager's office.

To think that he would make such a joke while dressed so elegantly.

"... Yeah. That's Jinwoo Kim."

Saerom found herself smiling without realizing it.

* * *

Samsung-dong COEX D Hall.

As soon as I got out of the van, I held Hyunji Kim's hand.

"Thank you, writer."

"You're welcome."

When entering the Baeksang Arts Awards, it's natural for a man and a woman to go together.

If it were a same-sex couple, it would be more natural to enter alone.

Click, click─

The cheers of many people filled my ears.

"Writer Jinwoo Kim, actress Hyunji Kim. We support you!"

"They appeared on Entertainment TV. A short interview...!"

"Actress Hyunji Kim, look this way!"

The reporters excitedly flashed their cameras at the gently smiling new actress.

This was the first time for both Hyunji and me, but we managed to walk the red carpet without major mistakes.

'Ugh... It's nerve-wracking.'

We stood in front of the photo zone and took pictures together.

Amid the enthusiastic cheers of the crowd, we entered the building.

Of course, cameras were set up all around inside.

Clack, clack─

Inside the beautifully lit building, Hyunji Kim spoke carefully.

"Writer, you know I'm always grateful, right?"

"I just found out."

"Ah!"

"Just kidding. I'm sorry for not visiting the set often."

"The Regressive Who Erases Memories" was even more intense than the pure-hearted macho.

Director Song Gwan-soo could handle all scenes without script changes, regardless of the environment.

"Writer, there's not much time left until the script award presentation."

"Yes, I need to prepare right away."

The TV and film categories alternated, with a few intervals.

"Who do you think will win the script award?"

"... I think it will be Ma Young-ok from TVM."

From the grand prize to the script award and the Best Actor award.

It's highly likely that they will sweep all the awards.

"Still..."

There were also awards that the pure-hearted macho could hope for, like the Best Work, Best Director, and Best New Actor.

Among them, the highlight of today is whether Semy will win the Best Actress award.

"It's already a great achievement for Jaejun and Semy to be nominated."

"Of course."

"It doesn't have to mean anything just to win an award."

"Still, it would be better to win, wouldn't it?"

"Well, it would, but it's going to be difficult."

"Imagination is free, hehe."

Soon, Hyunji and I separated and took our seats at different tables.

* * *

The stage was heavy with silence.

I called out the winner with a trembling voice.

"Congratulations to Ma Young-ok, the writer of TVM's Sky Light, for winning the script award!"

I was dazed, even though I was just reading the script