Chapter 74

A few days later.

It feels like the system has given me a break for a while.

"Peaceful."

How long has it been since I could read a book so leisurely, basking in such warm sunlight?

Yeah, I think I've done enough for now; I should take a break for a while.

I don't know how long this peace will last.

"I haven't had a break for so long."

Just sitting in my studio and flipping through pages makes me so happy.

Drrr─

At that moment, Hyo-ju entered the studio with her usual bright greeting.

"Brother, you're here early?"

"Yeah. Did you check that I sent the first three episodes yesterday?"

"Yes! As expected, the on-site visit really adds a different level of realism, doesn't it?"

"…. Really?"

"Yes. The first two episodes were good, but this one is completely vivid."

After all, I wrote this episode with the light stored in my head.

During the remaining time, I kept revising the script over and over.

It's just that the quality improved as much as my lifespan decreased.

"Good."

Then, he checked the schedule board hanging on one side of the studio.

1. Meeting with Director Joseph Lee and lead actors.

2. Meeting with Music Director Seo Ji-hoon.

3. Kim Na-yeon's first broadcast. (MBS Broadcasting Station)

"Today's schedule is packed?"

"Yes. It's going to be a long day."

"…. What's the third one?"

"Huh? Did you forget about the first broadcast today?"

No, I knew that for sure.

"Why is MBS Broadcasting Station written there?"

"Ah! Director Kim Young-sik said he wants to watch it with you."

"Really?"

He's quite an interesting person.

"Ms. Yu Seol-a can't attend due to her schedule, but the other lead actors will all be there!"

"…. Director Kim, more enthusiastic than I thought?"

"Maybe there will be some behind-the-scenes filming as well!"

After all, it's not like they would just gather expensive actors to watch a drama.

"So I booked a makeup shop for lunch."

"Enough. What shop? I just want to rest a bit."

"What? I meant me, not you."

"…."

"Anyway, are you going today?"

"I have to. I can't just send you to the set without going myself."

Actually, most of the early scenes were shot in the office, so there wasn't much to revise in the script.

The assistant director Na-ji-soo, who will soon go on an overseas shoot, will have a tough time.

"You go to the set first."

"Yes, brother!"

Hyo-ju left the studio with a smile.

Ding─

At that moment, a message from Manager Jung Sae-rom came in.

[Prepare for the lead actor meeting.]

* * *

Near a high-end restaurant of Tempest Entertainment.

Joseph Lee, who arrived a bit early with Angela, sat at the prepared table.

"Manager Angela."

"Yes, Director."

"I understand why you've been praising Kim Jin-woo so much now."

"…. Actually, I was also surprised by the third episode."

Even a Hollywood director would find it an impressive script.

The narrative between characters is solid, and the dialogues are rich with meaning.

However, that wasn't the only reason he was impressed.

'The most important thing in horror…'

Camera angles and actors' movements.

Even the space for the crew to stand was considered.

An almost impossible, ideal script.

There's always a gap between the designer and the producer.

This script seems to break all the existing norms.

Joseph said with a firm expression to Angela.

"It's clear. Kim Jin-woo must have studied directing."

"I thought that too, but it's not the case. It's just talent."

"Ha, indeed. No matter how I think about it, this isn't just talent…."

"Director, Kim Jin-woo is a genius. You can't judge him by ordinary human standards."

"…."

A Hollywood star director was instantly reduced to an ordinary person.

However, if it's true that he has never studied directing, as she said.

'I probably don't even measure up to the average.'

Perhaps he's a once-in-a-century talent.

'I'm looking forward to it.'

Even if not this project, I feel like I'll see him in Hollywood soon.

"Looks like everyone is here."

"Ah, yes."

At the end of their gaze, four people were walking towards them, arriving right on time.

Manager Jung, Kim Jin-woo, and the two lead actors.

They bowed and took their seats.

"Let's start with the supporting cast."

Angela threw out the topic, and Manager Jung Sae-rom picked it up.

"Yes, I think that's a good idea."

Kim Jin-woo also nodded in agreement.

'Hmm, by the way, I'll be shooting two projects simultaneously this time.'

The overseas sales team 3, Kim Na-yeon, and the Korean Horror Streamer.

Hyo-ju will handle the Kim Na-yeon set, and I'll take the next project.

"Since it's an episodic format, we'll need a lot of casting."

"Probably. We need new faces for each episode."

Joseph responded with a relaxed expression to Jin-woo's words.

"Most of the ghosts will be extras or CG."

"The shooting period will be quite long, won't it?"

"Yes. We plan to shoot each episode like a movie."

"Then the actors will have to stay on set for a long time."

Especially in horror locations.

Kim Jin-woo glanced at the two lead actors.

The atmosphere between the two was starkly different.

Ji-sung-ho, stiff and rigid, and So Chae-dam, shining like a girl in love…?

'What's with this person?'

The ambitious Korean Horror Streamer, starting in a small Korean restaurant.

Meanwhile, So Chae-dam was waiting for a chance to ask Kim Jin-woo a question.

'Writer, where is the next horror experience location?'

* * *

「Overseas Sales Team 3, Kim Na-yeon」 B Team shooting set.

As soon as Hyo-ju arrived at the set, she greeted the staff.

"Director Na! Hello."

"Hyo-ju, you're here?"

"Yes. The atmosphere is so exciting today because it's the first broadcast."

"Ha ha. Indeed. The day has finally come."

It was also a meaningful day for Na-ji-soo.

Though not her debut as a director, she had worked harder than anyone else for this project.

Kim Jin-woo's works always pushed her to grow.

Even today, she marveled at his work several times during the shoot.

She checked the footage and said,

'Just as written in the script, such a scene came out.'

It felt like a reward for the difficult homework of Camcosa Season 2.

At that moment, Music Director Seo Ji-hoon approached.

"Director, the timing for the third track is a bit off."

"Ah, the part you mentioned yesterday?"

"Yes."

"Hmm…."

Ji-soo thought for a moment and then spoke slowly.

"…. Maybe Director Kim Jin-woo knows about it."

"What? Does he have a deep understanding of music?"

"No, not that, but he might know."

"Even Director Kim, that's a bit…."

"Want to bet?"

Ji-soo's eyes were already those of a fanatic.

"…. No, no. I didn't mean that. It's just that sound is a bit specialized…."

"Didn't you hear the story from the Pure Macho days?"

"What?"

"The music director at JTBS also recognized him."

"R-really?"

"Since we have a meeting with Director Kim Jin-woo today, let's go together after the shoot."

* * *

Seo Ji-hoon's music studio.

This was the meeting with the music director that Hyo-ju had arranged.

Actually, she had promised to visit once before.

"Hello, writer! I'm Seo Ji-hoon."

"Yes, I know. But…."

I don't understand why Assistant Director Na-ji-soo is here.

"Director Na? What brings you here…."

"I wanted to see the writer and hear some good words."

What good words?

Am I a Bible?

After a brief chat, Director Seo Ji-hoon immediately started working on the music.

He looked naive, but his expression turned serious during work.

Then, Assistant Director Na-ji-soo met Director Seo's eyes and nodded.

"Writer, which one do you think is better?"

How would I know?

I can't even read sheet music.

"First, A is a sentimental sound with a powerful melody, and B is just okay."

"Then A is better…."

"Of course! Wow, you really match me, writer!"

"…."

"Then, how about this part? A is just average, and B is a modern alternative sound with a faint melody…."

"Um…. B?"

"Wow, you really have a deep understanding of music, writer!"

What? Now.

Are you kidding me?

In addition, Director Seo Ji-hoon asked specific questions about the timing of the OST.

"Where do you think this OST should go?"

"Um, between here and here. I think it would be good to put it around here."

"Huh?"

"Oh, it's definitely more natural than before."

Seo Ji-hoon and Na-ji-soo were making a fuss.

"How do you catch the timing of the music insertion so accurately…."

That was just what the system told me.

Only for the music I registered in advance.

The two directors stared at me with wide eyes.

Especially, Director Na-ji-soo was making me feel quite uncomfortable.

'What's this? Are they teasing me?'

I recalled the other purpose of my visit and subtly brought up the topic.

"Director Seo Ji-hoon."

"Yes?"

"Have you ever worked on horror music?"

"Horror?…"

"Yes."

Seo Ji-hoon smiled and puffed out his chest.

"Of course! I've worked on movies like Cat, Black Eyes, and Black Box…."

"…. All of them?"

What, this guy.

He's a professional.

"Would you like to hear a few?"

"Yes, I'd like to hear them."

Seo Ji-hoon immediately started the machine and played the music.

Kiki─

A sound like scratching a chalkboard.

I don't know how they get these sounds.

"…. You make these yourself?"

"This is just the basics. If we go deeper…."

Seo Ji-hoon immediately played a recorded sound.

A creepy, spine-chilling sound that also created tension.

Ding─

【A music that fits the atmosphere of the work by 98% has been found.】

【Do you want to add this music to the work? (Y/N)】

Hmm─

Some sounds even brought back memories of a mental hospital.

'I almost got PTSD from zombies.'

What, scary.

What does this guy do?

I almost registered the sound with the system.

Creepy─

'If I registered it by mistake….'

If the sound is heard, it would just be a VR experience.

I might faint.

"Actually, sad and emotional music is also good. That's my specialty."

"…. How about a meeting with Director Joseph Lee?"

"Huh?"

"I'll let him know in advance."

"…. Director Joseph Lee? The Hollywood Joseph Lee!?"

"Yes."

"Thank you!"

He bowed deeply, and I smiled lightly.

"Just a casual chat. Don't feel too pressured."

"Still…."

From what I can see, he seems to have good skills.

I don't know how Director Joseph will see him.

Most importantly,

He was introduced by Assistant Director Na-ji-soo.

They say birds of a feather flock together, and talented people understand each other.

"By the way, we agreed to watch the first broadcast at MBS today, right?"

"Ah, yes! Will you come, writer?"

"Of course. Let's go together."

"Okay!"

Na-ji-soo answered like a soldier and guided me.

"But I can drive…."

"No! The writer should rest!"

"…."

Why is he treating me like this?

Isn't this how popular people usually tease outsiders?

* * *

Late at night, MBS Broadcasting Station.

When I arrived, all the production staff were already gathered.

Everyone was present except for the busiest lead actor, Yu Seol-a.

Camera directors were working hard to create a behind-the-scenes video.

"Ah, the writer is here?"

From a distance, Director Kim Young-sik was running towards me.

"Hello. It's been a while, Director."

"Ha ha. Come on in. By the way, the staff were just making a light bet."

"…. A bet?"

A mini game to guess the ratings, organized by Director Kim Young-sik.

The person with the closest guess would get 1 million won from the remaining team dinner fund.

"Um…."

The staff started writing their guesses in the group chat.

I also wrote a number casually.

There were no major competing dramas this time.

[25%]

"…. Will this work?"

What dramas start at 25% these days?

Still, the last drama hit 20%, so the goal should be higher.

However, a disaster occurred in the group chat.

The lighting team's junior wrote 5%.

The lighting director looked at Director Kim Young-sik and said,

"5% it is. Push-ups."

"Oh, it was a typo! I meant 50%…."

"Are you kidding?"

50% is even stranger.

"Let's talk. Follow me."

The lighting director took him away somewhere.

"…. Good luck."

There were quite a few unfamiliar faces, making me feel a bit awkward.

I turned to look for Hyo-ju.

'Where is she? I saw Jin-ho earlier…. Found her.'

I approached actor Lee Jin-ho.

"Doing well?"

"Ah, senior!"

He was sitting alone, probably because he was still an unknown actor.

His muscles are wasted.

"Hey, writer."

"Um."

"Did you hear about Senior Hee-jung?"

"What…. Oh, the audition?"

"Yes! It's tomorrow!"

"What?"

"Did you not know?"

"Yes. They didn't tell me in detail."

"That's a 16-episode drama at JTBS. Directed by Sung Gi-hoon."

"…. Really?"

I had talked to Director Sung recently.

He said it would be JTBS's flagship drama after Pure Macho.

"Eight siblings in Oh-ro-dong?"

"Yes, that's it!"

I thought it would be a short drama.

He's playing in a bigger pond than I thought.

"True to the Kim family's legacy."

"???"

That's right, he needs that kind of presence.

"He's doing really well in acting school too."

"I know. I saw his play."

I don't know if he'll get the role, but I should support him.

Maybe I'll buy some snacks to cheer him on.

"Our drama starts in 1 minute!"

At that moment, Assistant Director Na-ji-soo reminded everyone.

"It's starting."

"Ugh, I'm nervous."

The drama began with a close-up of Yu Seol-a