Chapter 79

Top floor of Tempest Entertainment.

Manager Jeong Saerom moved to the CEO's office as directed by the secretary.

"Saerom, aren't you coming up here less these days?"

"Hello, CEO."

".... Oh, yes. Manager Jeong."

Even though no one else was around, this was still the company.

A place where boundaries always had to be maintained.

Saerom carefully placed a document on the CEO's desk.

"This is a contract to offer a revenue share to writer Kim Jin-woo."

".... Revenue share?"

The report listed the actors recommended by writer Kim Jin-woo, including Im Jae-joon, Lee Jin-ho, and Kim Hyun-ji.

[.... In summary, 5% of the revenue from these artists will be shared with writer Kim Jin-woo. This is a portion of Tempest Entertainment's revenue, not the artists'....]

Revenue sharing with writer Kim Jin-woo.

In essence, it meant that a portion of the revenue earned by certain actors would be taken by the company.

"What if we sign the contract at this level and adjust the ratio when the actors' contracts are renewed?"

".... Even changing the terms of already signed contracts?"

"Yes, CEO."

CEO Jeong Gi-tae looked at Saerom with renewed interest.

While he acknowledged that Kim Jin-woo was exceptional,

"Is that all?"

"Yes, that's all."

"...."

A person who had hit three consecutive dramas in a year.

The rarity of a star writer was evident, and among them, Kim Jin-woo was particularly special.

"Writing speed, engagement, storylines, script direction, casting direction, and consistently delivering high-quality work...."

"Enough. I get it."

"...."

"Okay! If Manager Jeong says so, then that's how it is."

He had always trusted her abilities, and her recent performance had been outstanding.

Since working with writer Kim Jin-woo, the company's revenue and performance had more than doubled.

'Writer Kim....'

Is there still room for growth?

Saerom's unwavering gaze seemed to say so.

It was clear how much she trusted him.

"Your father has also shown interest lately."

"Really?"

"Of course, with Tempest's stock doubling, it's natural."

".... I'm not exactly thrilled."

"Just saying you're doing a good job, that's all."

Saerom handed another report to CEO Jeong, who shrugged.

"What's this?"

"The entire company's vacation schedule."

"???"

"Should I cancel it?"

"No, no. Vacations are good. We should go."

The report listed about ten people who would be traveling first.

If they were gone for a month, the company might wobble.

"Hawaii?"

"Yes."

"I've never been there."

"...."

While the company had significantly expanded its hiring due to the recent increase in revenue,

If both Manager Jeong Saerom and Team Leader Byun Hyuk-ju were gone,

".... Isn't two weeks too long?"

"You're right. It should be a month...."

"Hmm, on second thought, two weeks is just right."

"CEO, please take good care of the writers and actors while I'm gone."

"Don't worry, take a good rest."

"Yes."

"I'm usually good at my job, but I've been piling all the work on you.... Haha."

"...."

There's a lot I could say, but I won't.

Saerom bowed and left the CEO's office.

"By the way, I heard that Hee-jeong...."

Suddenly, he thought of Kim Jin-woo's younger sister.

She had been complaining a lot about being tricked into going to Wolgoksan by Kim Jin-woo.

Since this trip was partly for her, it could be a good opportunity to improve their relationship.

Ding-dong--

He immediately called Hee-jeong on his smartphone.

-Hello! Sister?

"Hee-jeong, how are you feeling?"

-.... I'm a bit nervous.

She laughed, remembering how Hee-jeong had called her crying.

-Oh, sister! I received the audition gift you sent!

"It's nothing much."

-How can a tablet be nothing! Someone else took me to a cemetery and only bought me candy!

"Candy....?"

"Real candy! The kind you eat!"

Then, Saerom got to the point.

"Ahem, first, Hee-jeong. How's the schedule for the Ohreudong Eight Siblings drama?"

-It seems like the main shooting will start in about two months.

"Got it. How about we go on a trip together for a while?"

-What?

"In about two weeks. Do you want to come?"

-Um.... I might have a few meetings....

"Ah, I see. Then next time...."

-No! I can come back early if needed. I'll come!

The trip was planned for two weeks, but it wouldn't be a big problem if Hee-jeong returned early.

"Send me your schedule via text."

-Yes, sister!

Click.

Saerom hung up and smiled, thinking of Hee-jeong.

"I wish I had a sister like her."

Manager Jeong Saerom, who would shock Kim Jin-woo if he heard her.

Then, she remembered that Hee-jeong still didn't have an agency.

'Even if we're close, I can't just sign her without proper consideration....'

But she thought Hee-jeong's acting was quite good.

First, I should pass her profile to Team Leader Byun.

I'll decide before going to Hawaii and talk to her about it slowly.

* * *

In the Tempest Entertainment studio.

Although he had been busy recently with frequent visits to the Kim Na-yeon set,

"Where did the system go?"

An actor who usually brought scripts at this time of day hadn't shown up in a while.

He had been writing his own works for quite some time now.

"Is the system not going to appear for the rest of my life?"

There were only three months left until the TVM contest.

Originally, he wanted to prove his abilities.

He had planned to submit a script to the contest just to try.

But now, he might have to put his life on the line to write a good script.

Tap-tap--

He typed the script he had been lightly conceptualizing in his head.

A new work he had been jotting down whenever he had free time.

He had written many scripts under writer Im Ju-ju, but this was his first solo drama script after obtaining the system.

"TVM contests are full of talented newcomers...."

But it was worth a try.

He had worked hard and improved his scriptwriting with the system's supernatural abilities.

He had studied directing, dialogue, and narrative techniques thoroughly.

"Three months...."

He had to write four scripts in that time, which was both short and long.

Of course, with the system, he could write one script a day.

Tap, tap--

"Bad Man's Love (Working Title) Synopsis"

A drama about the romance between a gangster and an actress.

The rough outline was a four-part script.

"It's a common story, but...."

The key was to make a common story interesting.

The way the romance unfolds would be crucial.

But the broadcasting station was known for trying new things more than public broadcasters.

Since it was a genre he wanted to write, he wanted to take a new challenge.

Whether it was with flashy action or realistic depictions of gangster life.

"Hmm...."

For now, he focused on the plot and characters in the synopsis.

Tap, tap--

Especially in the early stages, he concentrated on the narratives of both characters.

A chance encounter in childhood builds the foundation, and they part ways.

A scene where a young boy saves a girl from being bitten by a dog.

The boy grows up in a dark environment and becomes a gangster.

The innocent girl grows up to become an actress after a career as a child actor.

She has a trauma from large dogs but thinks of the boy whenever it happens.

As adults, they meet again without recognizing each other.

A minor conflict caused by a subordinate of the gangster leads to a negative encounter.

The cliché where the male lead roughly twists the wrist of a man causing trouble.

The emotional lines shown in the scene where they meet were the most important.

If the early stages are boring, viewers will turn off the drama.

"Is this good so far?"

He would have to write more to know, but even with the higher standards set by the system, it wasn't bad so far.

The only slightly disappointing part was the romance section compared to the system.

".... I'm lacking in romance lately."

He casually opened a poetry book lying nearby.

"Ah, Yu Seol-a!"

He marveled several times at the interpretations added as footnotes.

It felt like his romance sensibilities would develop.

Creak--

At that moment, Hyo-ju entered the studio and greeted him cheerfully.

"Brother, have a good lunch!"

"Did you go to the Kim Na-yeon set?"

"Yes! But...."

She looked at the book he was holding with a puzzled expression.

"A poetry book? You read that?"

"Yes. It gives me inspiration in the morning."

"Ah."

"Are you preparing well for the contest?"

"Of course."

I should keep the contest a secret from Hyo-ju.

Logically, why would a star writer need to enter a contest?

"Brother!"

"Yes?"

"Manager is preparing a company trip."

"Company trip?"

"Yes! I heard from Team Leader Byun."

"Who's going?"

"You, Manager, Team Leader Byun.... They'll probably announce it soon."

".... Really?"

A company trip.

'Good timing.'

He had mentioned to the manager that he wanted to go on a trip recently.

"Are you going?"

"Yes! After the Kim Na-yeon shooting ends."

"Ah, then we can go together."

Right, she needs to rest too.

Her help had been crucial to the success of his works.

Ding--

[Writer Kim Jin-woo has deposited 300,000 won.]

"Huh....?"

He immediately transferred a small bonus to Hyo-ju.

"Brother, what's this?"

"Pocket money."

"Wow, 300,000 won!!!"

Thinking about it, he had been neglecting Hyo-ju.

No matter how well the company managed her, she was his only assistant.

"Brother, I might cry. Thank you."

Seeing her so happy made his nose tingle.

'I need to take better care of her....'

"Use it for a date with Team Leader Byun, hehe."

.... Can I cancel this?

* * *

Time passed, and it was the last shooting day.

"Overseas Sales Team 3 Kim Na-yeon" MBS set.

Director Kim Young-sik greeted me enthusiastically as soon as I arrived at the set.

"Writer Kim, you're here?"

"Director Kim, you're here too?"

He seemed to be living at the set.

Clearly different from other directors.

"Haha. Since I'm in a good mood today, let's have a drink?"

"Ah, um.... I have a flight tomorrow."

"Ah, I heard. Some of the actors from 'Kim Na-yeon' are going too."

"Yes. I think only those without schedules will go. Jin-ho and Yeo-min.... Well, anyway."

"Still, you'll join the farewell dinner, right....?"

The director looked pitiful, like a cat in boots.

Missing the last dinner would be a bit awkward.

"Of course, I'll attend."

"Haha. When you return from the trip, can you drop by MBS?"

"Is there something?"

"No, not really. It's just that the variety department is looking for you."

"The variety department?"

"They're preparing a special variety show to introduce writer Kim Jin-woo...."

"Special variety show....?"

"A documentary-style show, I think. The title was something like...."

"...."

"Haha. There are rumors in the broadcasting industry about a unique writer."

"Ah.... Yes."

"Of course, I didn't spread the rumors."

Caught the culprit.

".... I'd appreciate it if you could give me the contact information."

A little later,

I got in the car driven by the director and headed to the dinner.

We arrived at a beef restaurant in Gangnam.

I planned to show my face and then go home quickly.

"Hey, senior, hello!"

At that moment, a muscular man greeted me loudly.

"Jin-ho, you're here."

"Yes! I came right after finishing the last shoot."

"You're going on the trip too?"

"Yes! That's how it is!"

Due to their busy schedules, Im Jae-joon and Ji Sung-ho couldn't go.

Yeo-min-seo, who maintained a mysterious image, had almost no schedule except for CFs and photo shoots.

"Right. Since you're going...."

Ding-dong--

The system notification sounded at that moment.

At the same time, a white light emanated from the top of Lee Jin-ho's head.

["Recognition, Stage 1! Mission discovered."]

[Mission: Get your personally written script recognized by the actors registered in 'Overseas Sales Team 3 Kim Na-yeon'. (0/2)]

[Time limit: 7 days]

[Do you accept? (Y/N)]

Is this from the system?

"Mission...."

It's a stage 1 mission.

Based on the pattern so far, there must be a reward.

And it's asking me to get my personally written script recognized.

"Could it be.... trying to help me?"

At that moment,

Click, click--

Another main actor of 'Kim Na-yeon', Yeo-min-seo, approached slowly in high heels.

"Writer, what are you doing standing at the door?"

".... Yeo-min-seo."

"Hello."

A white light was also emanating from the top of her head.

"Your head is beautiful."

"???"

"Your head is so beautiful, it's glowing."

"...."

".... Really."

I'm not picking a fight.

* * *

The next morning, at Incheon International Airport.

I was heading to the gate with my sister, pulling our suitcases.

"Hee-jeong, how long has it been since we went on a trip?"

"I don't remember."

My sister, who had been upset with me over the cemetery incident, had almost cut ties.

Thanks to Manager Jeong, we managed to mend our relationship.

"Hey...."

We waved to the Tempest Entertainment people waiting for us.

Manager Jeong, Team Leader Byun, and a few other employees were there.

Among them, two actors were moving to the gate first, receiving care from their managers.

Lee Jin-ho and Yeo-min-seo were hiding their faces with sunglasses and hats.

"Wow, our theater's Lee Jin-ho has grown so much."

"....?"

"I raised him."

"Um...."

Seeing Hee-jeong acting like an elder made me think a lot.

'I shouldn't live like this.'

There's a lot to learn from the only sibling I have.

Thud, thud--

"Writer, you're here?"

"Yes."

Manager Jeong Saerom greeted me warmly.

I was deeply moved that she organized this trip just because I said I wanted to go.

She was wearing a dress, which she never usually wore.

Even with minimal makeup, her skin glowed as much as Yeo-min-seo's.

People passing by turned their heads several times.

'She looks more like an actress than an actress.'

Maybe one day the system will make her the female lead.

"Manager, are you...."

"Yes?"

I almost said, "You look beautiful," without realizing it.

Memories of the club and Japan where we spent time together.

Back then, she didn't seem as attractive as she does now.

Traveling together is better than going alone.

".... Is something wrong?"

"No, it's not that...."

Manager Jeong, who was staring at me, asked.

Then, Hee-jeong spoke up playfully.

"Brother said you look beautiful today."

"I never said that....!"

"Why not? Isn't it true?"

"...."

Hee-jeong looked at me with a playful expression.

'I want to punch her.'

Since the cemetery incident, she's been stacking up pranks to get revenge.

We'll see when the Korean horror streamer season two comes out.

"Manager, the group is smaller than I expected."

"Yes, we formed teams considering the work gap."

"Ah...."

"Other employees can go next month or the month after."

"Wow, considerate....!"

".... Let's go."

Manager Jeong led the other employees to the boarding gate.

"Hee-jeong."

"Yes?"

"This is Hwang Hyo-ju, who helps me in the studio."

Hyo-ju's hair had turned blonde in just one day.

She must have dyed it for the trip.

"Oh, brother's assistant!?"

"Yes."

They're about the same age and both have spunk, so they'll