Chapter 58

The Baeksang Arts Awards ceremony.

On the screen, five formidable candidates appeared one by one.

The female best actress nominees, each with a solid fan base.

Among them,

a woman smiled as she saw her own face on the screen.

The actress on the screen mirrored her smile, as if in a mirror.

Semi glanced around.

All the people who had been her driving force to get here were present.

Jaejun and Jisung, who had supported her during the tight shooting schedule and the breathless shooting period.

Mireung, the leader of the Purple Girls, who had comforted and encouraged her whenever she was down.

Director Sung Kihoon, who had led to the best direction despite her inadequate acting skills.

'And, also…'

At that moment, the host's voice echoed softly throughout the hall.

"JTB's Heir is actress Semi from Pure Macho. Congratulations!"

It felt like listening to someone else's story on TV.

It took five seconds to realize it was real.

Mireung ran over and hugged her tightly in five seconds.

The Pure Macho family, who were as dear as family, enthusiastically congratulated her in five seconds.

"Uh, uh…?"

"Semi, you need to go up there quickly."

Hearing Mireung's words, she moved towards the stage as if in a trance.

"Congratulations."

The previous year's female best actress winner, Kim Hye-mi, handed over the trophy with a broad smile.

Kim Hye-mi, who had already been a top actress before Semi even started pursuing her acting dreams.

"Thank you."

It was hard to regain her composure as Kim Hye-mi gently hugged her.

Although it was an unexpected win,

fortunately, she remembered the script that the company had made her memorize.

'Really, to be standing here…'

The bright lights shone on her.

Although her vision was somewhat blurred by the dazzling lights,

"First, to Director Sung Kihoon, who directed Pure Macho…."

Despite her racing heart, she calmly recalled the people she was grateful to.

* * *

Semi, who had been recognized as the best actress across the three major terrestrial channels and cable networks over the past year.

"I'm so proud of myself."

Of course, she didn't win just because of her acting skills.

It was also true that recent issues had increased her chances of winning.

'But, well, winning is winning.'

At the moment the winner was announced, the female lead of the sky-colored drama, Seo Joo-hee, failed to manage her expression.

It seemed she thought she would win since the drama had become popular despite the acting controversy.

'No conscience at all.'

Semi's acceptance speech lasted quite a while.

I was also moved, recalling the moment the system activated when I first saw her.

"And, also… Director Bong Jin-ho, thank you for believing in me and giving me this great opportunity. As an actress…."

'Director Bong Jin-ho as the lead?'

Semi's bombshell announcement made the flashbulbs even more intense.

It seemed she had been confirmed as the lead in Director Bong Jin-ho's next project.

I glanced at Mireung at the next table.

Her calm smile suggested it wasn't a sudden announcement.

Semi then paused, preparing to deliver her closing remarks.

"Finally…"

She had already mentioned her family, the company, and the Pure Macho team.

It felt like she had intentionally avoided mentioning me.

"Writer Kim Jin-woo."

The moment Semi called my name, a tense atmosphere filled the air.

Even the reporters put down their cameras to listen to her.

"Thank you for making actress Semi possible."

Then, she bowed slightly.

Had any previous winners bowed to a writer during their acceptance speech?

'No, why go that far…'

Already, the reporters' flashbulbs were aimed at me, not Semi.

* * *

The next morning.

As soon as I woke up, I recalled the events of the previous night.

"It was a mess."

I thought people didn't know my number because I often changed it.

[Missed calls (25)]

[Text messages (42)]

Even reporters I had never heard of knew my number.

I had confirmed and deleted everything yesterday, but they had piled up overnight.

"I don't care."

[Missed calls (0)]

[Text messages (0)]

Thump, thump—

As I walked from the bed to the living room, Hee-jung, who was lying on the sofa watching TV, reacted.

"Oh, our writer is up?"

"Yep."

"You're on TV a lot. It's hilarious."

Beep—

Hee-jung changed the channel to a rerun of the entertainment news.

-He's a hot topic, right? Let's learn more about writer Kim Jin-woo. Reporter Reina!

-Both actors Shin Jo-hoon and Semi had the same last line!

-As the writer of 'Heir' and 'Pure Macho' and the regressive character in 'Erasing Memories'…

Hearing my news on TV, I felt a bit embarrassed and spoke softly.

"Hee-jung, turn off the TV."

"Why? It's funny even the second time."

"…"

She looked like she had finally caught a big fish.

"Bro, you're trending. People are paying tribute to you for 'Tempest.'"

"Tribute? To me?"

"Yeah. The Purple Girls fan club is sending all sorts of gifts."

"Wow, I'm really happy."

Just then, a scene from Semi's award ceremony was replaying on TV.

Especially the promotion of Semi's next project by Rainbow Entertainment.

'If it's Director Bong Jin-ho's next project…'

It's a huge opportunity.

I hope it goes well.

While I was focused on the TV, my younger sister was on the phone.

"Yes. Sister. If you come to the theater this weekend, I'll give you a ticket…. Yeah, of course I'll give it to you for free. Yes…. Yes, sister!"

Listening quietly, I felt a bit uneasy.

As soon as she hung up, I spoke to Hee-jung.

"Sister?"

"Uh?"

"You called her 'sister'?"

"What?"

"Do you have a sister?"

She doesn't even treat her own brother like a brother.

Why is she so respectful to someone else's sister?

I had a feeling, and sure enough,

"Yes. Sister Sa-rom."

"You, I told you not to bother Director Jeong."

"Oh, she said she would come to see my performance?"

"…Did you pay for her ticket?"

It wouldn't be cheap.

"No!"

It's unlikely that such a busy person would come just to see her.

'Could it be Lee Jin-ho…?'

I suddenly remembered the actor I had mentioned to her recently.

A new actor with both acting and financial advantages.

If she's going to see him, I can understand.

I also wanted to check him out soon.

"When is the performance?"

"Uh?"

"You invited her to come."

"What? Last time you weren't even curious, but now you're asking because she's going?"

"It's not because Director Jeong is going."

"Really?"

"…Really."

I'm just worried you might say something strange.

"Here's 100,000 won for pocket money."

"Deal."

This is why artists need a hungry spirit.

If they get too comfortable with capitalism, they end up like my sister.

"Bro, what's that look in your eyes?"

"What?"

"You just looked at me like I'm trash."

"No way."

"No, I know. I usually look at you that way."

"…"

The Kim family is peaceful today.

* * *

-We've completed the contract for Oh Sung's Cider PPL.

"Good job, Director."

Director Jeong continued.

-Campus Couple Cider…. Keeping the title will improve the conditions.

"I also want to keep the title if possible."

-Understood.

"It's not at the stage where I can confirm it yet."

-Understood.

"Thanks."

-Ah! I received the tiramisu gift.

"Really? Ahaha. Yes."

-Okay.

Click.

"Are you busy today? Your voice sounds weak."

With permission from Yeonji University, I entered the campus.

In other words, the first shooting location for 'Campus Couple Cider.'

I checked the system and fell into deep thought.

[Content: Campus Romance, Second Story 1-8]

[Time Limit: Unlimited]

"Since the sub-project has no deadline…."

I shifted my gaze to the place where the light was lingering.

The bright light was clearly visible even in broad daylight.

"Let's shoot and see. If it doesn't work…."

I might have to scrap the season and write a new drama title.

Actually, even Season 1 was a work that had been produced as an advertisement.

More than half of the content had been cut and edited.

As a result, the content of Season 2, which I had written on my own, was connected to it.

"Writer, hello!"

At that moment, Director Na Jisu approached and greeted me.

In casual attire, she looked like a director who had already directed a few works.

"Director Na, how are you?"

"Ah, yes! Writer, here's the script…."

Again, Assistant Director Na Jisu handed me the script.

'Campus Couple Cider, Second Story 1-8'

I took the script and checked the contents inside.

It was an interpretation version with various interpretations and drawings, as before.

'You can turn even the simplest things into gold.'

I looked at Director Na with a renewed expression.

"Is it wrong?"

"Uh…?"

"No, you didn't say anything."

"…"

Director Na Jisu's pupils trembled anxiously.

'Is this a test?'

Without saying anything, she pondered and wrote something in red ink on the script.

But the added content enhanced the richness of the direction.

Just changing the composition of the characters and the camera position made a different image.

"Wow… The more content you add, the better it gets."

"Of course! This is right, isn't it?"

"…"

It's better to say nothing.

A moment later,

Under Director Na Jisu's leadership, the drama production began.

Her skills were on a different level from when I shot a web drama with an advertising director.

She was almost perfect except for one thing.

She kept glancing at me.

"Hmm…."

Why is she so nervous when she's doing so well?

Anyone watching might think I hit her.

Soon, Director Na Jisu showed me a clip.

"Would you like to see this scene?"

"Uh? Ah, yes."

The drama was already on par with the system.

It was natural since the script had already been altered from the previous season.

But one thing was clear:

The quality of this season was significantly higher than Season 1.

Compared to the advertising director, Director Na Jisu was a god of direction.

Yet, why did she not realize it herself?

"Writer, is this correct?"

"…"

"No, I don't need the exact answer. Hehe."

What nonsense.

Why does the correct answer keep coming up?

Indeed, the old sages were right: the difference between a genius and a fool is just a hair's breadth.

Especially for a genius in the arts.

"Writer, how about this? This part feels a bit lacking…?"

No, it's perfect.

While I was having a conversation with the persistent Director Na,

Kang Jun, who had just arrived at the shooting location, greeted me first.

"Bro, I came right after finishing the shooting for 'Erasing Memories.'"

"Uh, yeah."

Why are you bowing so deeply?

People are staring.

"Jun, don't bow like that. Do I look like a gangster?"

"Ah, yes!"

Now that my recognition has increased, I need to manage my image.

I had the feeling that people were whispering about me.

Soon, Kang Jun's arrival livened up the shooting atmosphere.

He and Jaejun were the 'Jun' generation doing the best these days.

After shooting a scene, Director Na glanced at me.

I just nodded and said,

"Very good."

"Nice."

"Wow, amazing."

Like an influencer who gets excited when someone likes their post on SNS.

She smiled and immediately moved on to the next shot.

"Thinking about it…"

These days, it's been a grueling schedule.

I also want to rest a bit….

Ding-dong—

[Two consecutive writing tasks have been activated.]

I wanted to rest, but now I have double the work?

[Content: Overseas Sales Team 3, Kim Na-yeon 6-7]

[Genre: Office, Company, Ensemble]

[Location: 'Jang Gae' Theater in University Road]

[Time Limit: 3 days 3 hours]

[※ Gold Upgrade: 110-110101-1011 (Virtual Account, W Bank)]

[※ Deposit Amount: 0 won / 500 million won]

"Jang Gae Theater…."

Is it because I registered Lee Jin-ho as an actor?

I was planning to visit to see his acting skills anyway.

"Lucky."