Chapter 84

It feels surreal.

My work, boldly written as the winning entry.

The results of the contest that Manager Jeong Saerom showed me included a specific schedule.

It said to come to TVM Broadcasting on December 24th, Christmas Eve, at the designated time.

I'm in first place, and Hyoju is in third.

Could there be any better news than this?

"Mr. Author, we were talking about the production budget, right?"

"Huh? Oh, yes."

"Since the contest results are good and you're in a good mood…."

"Hmm?"

"Let me hear what the billion-dollar production is about."

"…."

I'm taken aback by this sudden question.

I clasped my hands and slowly opened my mouth, looking at Manager Jeong who was listening intently.

"…No, let's talk about it later."

"Okay….?"

"It's not finished yet."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. I'll show it to you soon."

Then, I left the manager's office and headed to my room.

"I heard Director Song Kwansu is looking for a movie script…."

First, I need to discuss the scale of the movie with Director Song.

Then, I should tell him that I want to make a billion-dollar movie.

Knock, knock—

I sent a message first.

[Director Song, how are you?]

[I have something to discuss regarding a movie script.]

[If you have time, can we meet?]

I think I need to finish the script before the meeting.

It might be difficult to write detailed descriptions or direction, but at least I need to have the dialogue, plot, and story written.

Creak—

When I entered the studio, Hyoju was on the phone with someone.

"Yup, I'll call you again, Heejung!"

"…Did you become best friends already?"

"Brother is here!?"

TVM one-act drama contest, third place.

Since it was a blind contest, it means my skills have been proven.

"Congratulations."

"Thank you. Hehe."

Should I tell her I won first place?

Come to think of it, if it weren't for me.

"…Unfortunately, it's only third place. If it were second, it would have been produced."

"Well, what can you do? Third place is still great, right?"

I feel a bit guilty.

But I didn't intend to produce it anyway.

"Let's go to TVM together when we receive the award."

"Huh? Oh… Is it because of Author Im Joo?"

"…No, not for that reason."

I also need to go to receive the award.

I already feel like I'm taking away a precious opportunity from another aspiring writer.

I need to find out if the third place gets the opportunity if I give up production.

'If possible, I hope so.'

A four-episode one-act drama won't help my career now.

Most importantly, "The Bad Man's Way of Love" is my first drama.

I want to remake it into a 16-episode series someday.

It might be difficult now, but I will definitely do it.

"Will Author Im Joo present the award?"

"Yes, it's written in the announcement!"

"…Is that so?"

Ding—

At that moment, I received a message from the MBS director.

"…Director Kim Young-sik?"

What is it?

* * *

On the same day,

Director Song Kwansu was on the phone with writer Kim Jin-woo while visiting KBC Broadcasting.

Actually, KBC was the only place that would hire Director Song, who had a bad reputation at SBC.

"Ah, I see. You're going to MBS for the year-end awards."

-Yes… Director Kim Young-sik was very eager.

"I understand. Since your most recent work was with Kim Na-yeon."

-I've already contacted the head of KBC.

"Is that so?"

-By the way, …

Director Song listened to the main point Jin-woo was bringing up.

-I heard you're looking for a movie script.

"Yes? That's true…."

-I wrote a movie script. A blockbuster.

"!!!"

I was looking for a movie script, but I ended up looking at dramas as well.

'If I had known, I wouldn't have visited KBC today.'

I should have read your work first.

If it were from any other drama writer, I would have refused.

But it's Kim Jin-woo.

"Ha ha. If it's a Kim Jin-woo work, I'll consider the profit-sharing too!"

-Well, that's something the production company and investors should discuss.

"I mean, I welcome it that much."

-Let's talk about it in person.

"Sure. I'll see you soon."

-Okay.

Click.

Director Song had read all of Jin-woo's scripts and had never been disappointed.

I've always thought his works are like movies.

"Hmm, I'm looking forward to it."

Honestly, as long as it's not a ridiculous movie with robots and dinosaurs, I'm confident I can make it work.

Knock, knock—

Director Song, who had arrived at the director's office, knocked on the door.

"Come in."

Creak—

When he opened the door, he saw Director Joo Tae-hong and another director sitting there.

'Director Kuk Jin-hyun…?'

"Director Song, it's been a while."

"Hello, Director."

The elderly director and the head were in the middle of a conversation.

"This is Director Kuk Jin-hyun."

"Yes, I know. Hello, senior!"

"Indeed."

A historical drama director who handles everything from 16-episode to 100-episode series.

"King Taejo of Goryeo," "Admiral Yi Sun-sin," "The Dream of Kim Yu-sin."

All the works he directed were box office successes.

Moreover, this year's acting award is almost certain to go to "Strategist of Joseon."

It achieved a 30% viewership rating, a 16-episode fusion historical drama that just ended.

If it weren't for that work, "The Regressor Who Erases Memories" could have aimed for the grand prize.

"Director, I'll take my leave now."

"Sure. Don't be too disheartened by this project's failure."

"It's fine. It'll take a day or two."

Director Kuk Jin-hyun bowed and left.

Then, Director Song had a conversation with Director Joo.

The conversation naturally shifted from the work to the year-end awards.

"I heard Author Kim Jin-woo won't be attending the awards."

"The dates overlap. He'll go to MBS."

"Yes, there's nothing he can do."

"Instead, I hope his next work will be with KBC. Preferably a historical drama."

"Ha ha. Is historical drama something you can just write?"

Most writers can't even attempt to enter the genre.

They can't handle the massive amount of research required.

Moreover, Kim Jin-woo, who has only one assistant writer.

"Still, I think Kim Jin-woo can do it. Hehe."

"Well…."

He's always written in different genres.

* * *

On Christmas Eve, on the way to the TVM contest award ceremony.

Christmas trees were scattered throughout the streets.

"Hyoju."

"Yes, brother."

"I can't believe I'm spending Christmas Eve with you."

"…Brother, let's date separately next year."

"Let's see."

I can.

You can't.

"Hyoju, what should I do? I have a meeting with Manager Jeong tomorrow."

"Aha, don't worry. Team Leader Byun said…"

"Huh?"

"He has an urgent schedule tomorrow."

"No way, that can't be…."

Ding—

At that moment, I received a message from Manager Jeong.

[Author, I'm so sorry.]

I was rejected.

"Thanks. It's less painful to know in advance."

"I was rejected too, so it's okay."

"Let's have a drink tomorrow."

"Sure!"

In the middle of this silly conversation, Hyoju asked me a question.

"…So, are you going to the year-end awards at MBS?"

"Yes, that's the right choice."

On the last day of the year, KBC and MBS held the acting awards simultaneously.

"Last night, Director Kim Young-sik called and cried."

"Um…."

"He said he would jump off his apartment if you don't come."

"Really? Did he say that?"

"He lives on the first floor."

"…"

KBC understands because both Kang Jun and Kim Hyun-ji are part of Tempest.

Kim Na-yeon's work is also more recent.

"Instead, I might do the next drama at KBC. It's not certain yet."

"…If Director Kim Young-sik finds out, he'll foam at the mouth."

"It's a secret."

It's time to write a new drama.

There might be a chance to pitch it at the awards ceremony with so many actors present.

Creak—

When we arrived at TVM Broadcasting and got out of the car, I casually told Hyoju.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you…."

"Yes?"

"I won first place. 'The Bad Man's Way of Love.'"

"Huh?"

"It's something I wrote."

"???"

This is my own work that only Jin-ho and Min-seo have seen so far.

Since it's just a practice work, I asked them to keep it a secret.

"R, really, brother, you're in first place?"

"Yes."

"Wow…."

Hyoju looked at me with newfound admiration.

Thud, thud—

Just as we were about to enter TVM Broadcasting,

A woman recognized me and shouted.

"Ah!"

"???"

"I'm a huge fan of Author Kim Jin-woo!!!"

"Who…."

"I'm Mingbum!"

"…Mingbum?"

"Um, not much, but I won the Excellent Award in the TVM contest!"

Ah, it's a pen name.

"Author, what are you doing here…!"

"Um, I…."

"I get it! Judge!!!"

"No…."

She's too energetic for me.

I greeted her briefly and went in first.

Hyoju seemed to have become friends with Mingbum already.

'They suit each other.'

* * *

On the set of JTBS drama "Eight Siblings of Ohryudong."

On Christmas Eve, a food truck gift unexpectedly arrived.

I heard about it before, but I didn't expect Kang Jun to actually send a food truck.

"Heejung! I'll eat well."

"Yes? Oh, yes! Hehe."

I don't know what to do when I hear such words from a respected senior.

"When did you become friends with Kang Jun?"

"Um