Chapter 76

I finished writing the script up to Chapter 7 and moved back home.

During this time, I visited almost all the major horror spots in South Korea.

This summer has already passed.

Thanks to the system, it felt like a cool one.

"Should I check the benefits?"

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【Actor Change (Lv 1): You can change the casting to a different actor once per work.】

【Multiple Writing (Lv 2): You can write multiple works simultaneously. 'Sub works' can be refreshed after a certain period of time. (6-month cooldown)】

【Pre-investigation (Lv 2): Check the compatibility of the selected actor without direct contact. (15-day cooldown)】

【Final Episode Preview (Lv 2): Preview some of the final episode information of the work.】

【Benefit Enhancement Points: 3pt】

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Recently, I even used the enhancement points to check the plot of the final episode.

【The user can use Final Episode Preview (Lv 2) according to their will.】

"Looks like it's worth upgrading the system."

If the system suddenly decides to give an overseas ending...

The shooting schedule might get seriously messed up.

Then, I checked the brief plot of Chapter 8.

"A cemetery deep in the mountains..."

I hate abandoned buildings, so it's nice that they chose an outdoor location.

I'd rather choose death.

Beep, beep, beep, beep—

As soon as I opened the front door, I went straight to the sofa and flopped down.

"Bro, where have you been lately?"

"Ugh."

"Kim Nayoung is doing really well these days!"

"Ugh."

"Jinho became a top star in just a month?"

"Ugh."

Even though my responses were terrible, the conversation somehow worked.

Or maybe, she was just talking to herself.

"Bro, are you okay?"

"My heart hurts."

"I'm the one with a broken heart! Today is a very important day."

"Why, what day is it?"

"The audition results!"

"Oh, is it today?"

"Yep!"

I turned to look at Heejung, who was fidgeting and staring at her smartphone.

Director Sung.

It seems he's being more cautious with the casting for this drama.

Ding—

At that moment, an alarm went off on Heejung's smartphone.

"Oh, oh...!"

Heejung's expression suddenly dropped as she checked her phone.

"Lee Jinho, you jerk. Sending messages at such an important moment!"

"..."

I quietly got up and moved to my room.

At the same time, I subtly lifted my smartphone and sent a message to someone.

［K］

I sent a message to Heejung and went into my room.

Of course, I locked the door tightly to prepare for her assault.

"Hmm..."

What's going on? She should be breaking down the door any minute now.

Creak—

I slightly opened the door and looked at Heejung.

"Ah..."

It seems she's in a daze.

"Bro..."

"Hmm?"

"I got in."

"What?"

"I passed the audition!!"

...Of course, it's my sister.

"Bravo."

I clapped as if nothing had happened and approached her.

"I knew you would. Our Kim family has always had good luck. I do too. If you have good luck, you might get a system soon..."

"Yaaah!"

Heejung jumped up and down, genuinely happy.

I immediately informed our parents of the good news.

"Bro, don't tell anyone that I'm your brother!"

"What? Are you embarrassed by me?"

"What? The opposite."

"Hmm?"

"What would people think if they knew?"

"Oh."

Indeed.

If I'm a supporting actor in a JTBS drama and one of the eight siblings from Ohreudong, I have a significant role.

Even though she got in with 100% her own effort.

People might think she got in because of me.

"Don't worry."

I tousled my sister's hair.

"I don't consider you my sister."

"Yep! I don't consider you my brother either."

We hadn't matched like this in a long time, so we clapped hands.

Even though I didn't say anything warm.

Seeing my sister so happy, I couldn't help but smile.

'Yeah, family happiness is good.'

I have to go to a cemetery soon.

* * *

Tempest Entertainment.

Even though I've been visiting the company regularly over the past month,

It feels like it's been a long time since I last came.

Tap, tap—

Hyojoo, who was typing something on her laptop, greeted me.

"Bro, you're here?"

"Yep."

"Kim Nayoung's ratings have broken 30%! Congratulations."

"Thanks, but the actors did all the work."

The script was good too.

"By the way, I saw the 7th episode you sent yesterday."

"Uh-huh."

"Who were you running from while writing the script?"

"..."

"More than half of it is typos."

Hyojoo showed me a phrase on her smartphone.

"What does this mean?"

［A ghost child possessed the security guard.］

"A ghost child possessed the security guard."

".... How did you read that?"

"Never mind. I'll do it."

"But, the first six episodes were really interesting."

"Hmm, it was a lot of work, so I'm glad you liked the script."

To be honest, I've received a lot of help from So Dam.

I might not have been able to write the script so completely on my own.

Like throwing away the batteries of a flashlight.

Or wandering around in a daze.

Or bringing a creepy music box to make scary sounds.

Hmm, now that I look back, there were a lot of...

'Flaws, weren't there?'

Tap, tap—

At that moment, I turned my head to the sound of Hyojoo typing on her laptop.

"I'm doing the 7th episode, so why are you writing so hard?"

"Huh? Oh... This is my work!"

"Oh, you're finally writing it?"

"Yes! I finished the first episode and am now writing the second."

Hyojoo clasped her hands and asked carefully.

"Bro, can you take a look at it once?"

"Sure. I said I would last time."

Then, Hyojoo sent me the script.

「Too Romantic 1st Episode」

A realistic, corny romance.

The four main couples were all on the verge of marriage.

However, each couple had one obstacle.

In-laws, drinking buddies, money, hobbies.

A drama depicting the process of overcoming these big and small problems to reach marriage.

After quickly reading the first episode, I gave a short review.

"It's interesting?"

"Really?"

"Yep."

But there was a big problem.

"Who's the main character?"

"Huh?"

"Among the four couples, there should be a main one."

"Well, I love all my characters."

"..."

"How can a parent favor one child over another?"

"Yep. You have to."

"Or, you can make it an anthology!"

"Hmm."

If it's not a long series, it's possible.

If it's short, you can end it with a strong impact.

"Then, reduce the first episode to half of half."

"Huh?"

"Make it a short drama... up to four episodes."

"Hmm..."

"Many debut writers start with a one-act play."

"Ugh, I actually considered the TVM competition."

"Really?"

It's one of the famous large-scale competitions among writers these days.

Apart from the prize money, I heard that winning the grand prize or the best prize guarantees a slot.

"Is it in three months?"

"Yes. But I'm not sure if I can do it."

"You have plenty of time, so it's worth a try."

"Okay! I understand, bro."

Seeing Hyojoo's effort, I felt envious.

I can't rely on the system forever as a writer.

'Maybe I should try it too.'

Submitting it under my name would be meaningless.

I want to try it under a family name or anonymously.

A script completely free from the system.

Since the next work's script is almost done, only the final episode is left.

"Let's give it a try."

"Huh?"

"Let's do our best."

"Okay!"

I'll write it without pressure, like I did for Camcosa Season 2.

It's not a long series, so even if it fails, it's not a big loss.

I turned my head to check the schedule on the whiteboard.

"Hyojoo, today's schedule... there's a meeting, right?"

"Yes. Two supporting roles are still open."

"The two most important roles, right?"

"Yes, that's right."

While writing the script, I registered actors in the system whenever I had the chance.

Unfortunately, the two most important roles kept falling through.

One is the father of the female lead, Chae So Dam.

The other is the main villain, a shaman who can see ghosts.

Especially the villain, who is a key antagonist that doesn't leave the stage even in the final episode of this season.

"Manager Jung will contact you to set up a meeting."

"Okay?"

"Yes."

First, I'll edit the 7th episode, and then I'll take my time thinking about the new work.

* * *

Tempest Entertainment, Manager's Office.

Jung Saerom looked at the report from Team Leader Byeon and said,

"The location scouting is almost done."

"Yes. It wasn't difficult since we just added a twist to the places Mr. Kim Jin-woo visited."

"Right."

Saerom smiled and continued.

"Minseo is getting a lot of positive reactions from the audience these days."

"Yes. She had a bad image of being... well, rude. But this work has completely changed that."

"Hmm..."

She should avoid appearing on variety shows or radio.

There's no reason to ruin the improved image.

"Let's keep pushing the mysterious image from now on."

"Okay, got it!"

The biggest beneficiary of the overseas sales by the 'Overseas Sales 3 Team' was, as always, Tempest Entertainment.

Not only the two actors, but the revenue as a sole production company was enormous.

"Jang Jun and Kim Hyunji are more popular in Japan than ever."

"Let them continue their activities in Japan for now."

"Yes, Manager."

This level of success makes it feel like Kim Jin-woo didn't just board the Tempest bus.

It feels like Tempest is riding on the tower Kim Jin-woo built.

"Should I really give him some shares?"

"Huh?"

"Isn't the mood now that people trust Kim Jin-woo's works?"

"Yes, that's true."

We are friends privately, but fundamentally, it's a business relationship.

I should probably talk to my uncle about it.

Besides Jang Jun, it's time to seriously consider profit sharing.

"I'm looking forward to the results of this drama."

"It will probably be released on Disney+ early next year."

"Right."

Since it's a pre-produced drama, it takes time.

But the quality will definitely surpass previous works.

The huge capital of Disney and the direction by Joseph Lee.

And...

"Kim Jin-woo will reach the peak of his masterpiece with this work."

"I heard it's an 8-episode series..."

"Don't worry. If the response is good, Angela, the branch manager, will suggest a second season without us saying anything."

Kim Jin-woo will have to work a bit harder.

"Team Leader Byeon, I heard the writer recently wrote at a closed nursery. Is that true?"

"Oh, yes. Hyojoo... I mean, Hwang Hyojoo, the writer, told me that."

Saerom suddenly remembered the time she went to the abandoned hospital and smiled.

"Hmm... You should wake up early today."

Saerom checked the time and got up from her seat.

"Director Joseph always arrives early and prepares."

"Yes, that's true."

"I'll contact Mr. Kim... I'll do it."

"Understood, Manager."

Now, the production of 'Korean Horror Streamer' is entering the final stages.

The supporting roles will be cast within the next few days.

Ding, ding, ding—

While tidying up the office, Saerom's face looked more relaxed than ever as she called Kim Jin-woo.

* * *

The chilling bond that began at the Youngjin haunted house.

"This episode was so exciting."

Maybe because I went to the location myself, it's easier to imagine.

The only person who can make me feel the thrill from the script is him.

"Being able to read the script used on set is amazing."

As a first fan and viewer, how wonderful is it?

For this work, I would even pay to act in it.

It might be appropriate to call it an industry award.

However, as the episodes progress, there's one thing I'm disappointed about.

"Hmm, the writer seems to be distancing himself from me... Could he be going without me next time?"

I want to do scary things alone!

I want to do good things alone!

I feel hurt, so hurt.

Realistically, it's burdensome for a female actor to go alone.

In that sense, Kim Jin-woo is the best partner for me.

"But he doesn't need me, does he?"

Going alone might be more thrilling, so there's no reason to go together.

I've been trying to tag along by force, but...

Ding, ding, ding—

At that moment, a big donation appeared on the horror BJ Noppaku's channel.

-Oh, thank you, sir!

In the past, I would have felt competitive and joined in.

But lately, I don't feel much excitement.

I've already experienced four horror spots directly.

"It's boring."

I can't feel the vicarious satisfaction from live streams anymore.

It's better to read one of Kim Jin-woo's works again.

"Going in person is much more fun."

Without any alternatives, I watched the horror BJ's live stream out of habit.

It felt like a student doing preliminary learning for the next on-site experience.

* * *

I visited Salt Actors with Manager Jung and Team Leader Byeon.

A meeting with the 15-year veteran actor, Jung Hyung-gu.

Team Leader Byeon drove us silently.

"Is this the role of Ha Tae-sung, the father of the female lead?"

"Ah, yes. Mr. Writer."

"The father seems a bit young."

"Hmm... Yes, but he fits the image of a strict chairman very well."

"True?"

There were only two roles left: the father of the female lead and the villain.

"Now, the casting is almost complete..."

"Yes. One role, the villain, is still open."

"Right. Gukwudang."

We have actor Shin Jo-hoon at Tempest.

Having a solid villain actor makes us not envious of any other company.

'If the compatibility for the Ha Tae-sung role is 80%, that would be great.'

If it's that high, it won't harm the work.

It would be a waste of money to hire an expensive actor if it's not that high.

A moment later,

As soon as I arrived at the location, I shook hands with Actor Jung out of habit.

Just as I was thinking that it would be problematic if the compatibility was low since the script was almost complete,

Ding—

'Huh...?'

【An actor who fits the role of Gukwudang by 97% has been found.】

【Do you want to register this actor for the role of Gukwudang? (Y/N)】

'I might have made a mistake in casting...'

I even used the benefit pre-investigation out of curiosity.

【The user can use Pre-investigation (Lv 2) according to their will.】

【The actor fits the role of Ha Tae-sung by 32%.】

"..."

Manager Jung and Director Joseph continued the meeting with Actor Jung, unaware of my thoughts.

"Ha ha. It's an honor to work with a Hollywood director!"

"I've watched many of your works, Mr. Jung. I also like Korean works."

"Really?"

"Of course. I'm half Korean, after all."

"Ha ha ha. You're the most beloved Hollywood director in Korea."

The meeting went smoothly.

"Hmm, shall we finalize the contract today?"

"I'll call our side's representative."

Just as Manager Jung was preparing to bring out the contract,

"Actor Jung Hyung-gu."

"Yes?"

As soon as I spoke, everyone's attention focused on me.

"Excuse me, can you show me a performance for the role of Gukwudang?"

".... Not Ha Tae-sung?"

"Yes. You can perform based on the