Chapter 91

We walked around Gyeongbokgung Palace with a leisurely pace in front of the camera.

"Director, that's really impressive."

I wonder when Director Jeong memorized the documentary script.

Seeing her fluently explain to Director Max in English, in order.

"This is a place called Gangnyeongjeon."

"Oh, Gangnyeong?"

"It was where the king resided."

I can understand it roughly, but there's no chance to interject with audio.

Is that why Director Jeong deliberately spoke to me to include me.

"Hey, writer?"

"Yes?"

"Director Max is asking what the next drama is about."

"Oh."

It wasn't just to include me.

"An action historical drama with a grand visual war between Joseon and Japan!"

"???"

"The Imjin War."

For a moment, Director Jeong frowned for about a second and then managed to return to a smiling face.

It was a smile, but the question she asked while gritting her teeth...

"... Has the agreement with the production company been made?"

"Ah, probably? Just now?"

"..."

I remember she only mentioned it was a historical drama.

'If it wasn't on air, I would have kicked her.'

Glancing at the PDs' expressions, they looked so cheerful.

It seems a lot of good shots were taken.

A little later.

During the break, I had a chance to talk privately with Director Max.

"Writer, Director Max was impressed."

"Really?"

"He said it was impressive to see you writing a historical drama script amidst historical architecture..."

Director Jeong continued, interpreting for me.

"He said he was sorry for rejecting it without reading the synopsis."

"Uh...?"

"He said he would reconsider if you're okay with it."

I made eye contact with Director Jeong for three seconds.

"Script... did you bring it?"

"Of course!"

Director Max, who saw the translated script, was surprised.

He probably only intended to read the synopsis.

'... It was worth the effort.'

* * *

After the unexpected filming with Max, the music director.

Director Jeong Saerom officially started the production of a blockbuster movie.

One day.

An unexpected visitor came to her.

"Team Leader Byun, who is it?"

"A person named Mingpum... is waiting in the office lobby."

"Mingpum, Mingpum...? I've heard that name somewhere. Ah, isn't he the winner of the TVM contest?"

"Yes, that's correct."

The winner of the one-act drama contest that Jin-woo Kim recently entered.

'...'

Team Leader Byun added, seeing that Saerom was silent.

"He wants to learn a lot from a respected writer..."

"From Jin-woo Kim?"

"Yes."

"That's what he said."

Now that I think about it, Hwang Hyo-ju is also busy with a one-act drama production.

'... If she gets involved in a historical drama, she'll be even busier.'

Now is the time for Jin-woo Kim to need an assistant writer.

He's a monster who can write a historical drama script without any research, but...

"Hey, Director."

"Yes."

"Mingpum is not originally a drama writer."

"Really? Then..."

"I heard he's the pen name of a best challenge webtoon writer on a certain site."

"Really?"

"Here, he applied as an assistant writer and storyboard artist."

"Oh..."

Team Leader Byun handed Saerom Mingpum's portfolio and showed her a webtoon from a green site on his smartphone.

'No wonder...'

I've never seen a drama writer introduce themselves with a pen name.

Simple illustrators are common, but a storyboard artist who also writes dramas is rare.

"What a valuable talent."

We call them 'Guiin' for short.

* * *

I had a busy time in the studio for a while.

Even without the system providing additional historical drama scripts, it was quite busy.

Production of a blockbuster movie.

Especially the production of a movie with a lot of CG was definitely not an ordinary task.

"Hyozhu, no shooting today?"

For some reason, she showed up in the studio after a long time.

She was extremely busy with the production of her one-act drama.

"Yes, brother. No shooting today."

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

"Korean Horror Streamer" shooting.

Magical Girl pre-production schedule.

Historical drama scriptwriting and MBS documentary.

Hyozhu's one-act drama, "Romance Is Too Much" production.

At a glance, the workload was packed.

It was quite relaxed until we went to Hawaii.

"When did we get so busy?"

"Well, at least Director said she would add more assistant writers."

"Was that today?"

"Yes!"

".... Please be normal."

"???"

The good thing is, the system has developed a sense of timing.

Since I'm focusing on movie production, it's giving me the script slowly.

'This guy, he's getting closer to me now.'

I glanced at the other schedules written on my smartphone.

I'm not sure if this should be considered a schedule.

"6 PM tomorrow... the documentary is already airing."

"Wow, time flies."

"Also, it seems they scheduled it quickly."

What's the rush?

The documentary I shot with Director Jeong Saerom and Director Max.

I checked the title cover sent by the MBS documentary team on my phone.

Our Director looks pretty even with a casual camera shot, and Director Max is a cool old man.

'... Why am I the only one who looks short?'

Anyway, thinking about it, it's been a while since Director Max received the script and hasn't responded.

When I contacted Heaven Music, they politely replied to wait a few more days.

"Will Director Max reject it?"

"Um..."

Hyozhu, who thought a director of his caliber would automatically say yes after reading the script.

"Suddenly, he's not saying anything?"

"Magical Girls are a bit niche, after all."

"..."

Knock, knock—

Then, a familiar voice echoed through the studio.

"Writer Kim, receive the new recruit!"

"???"

Hyejeong, who opened the studio door wide with an absurd statement.

A young woman in her early 20s, who came with her sister, said with a stifled voice.

"Wow... I never thought this day would come."

"... Mingpum?"

"Eh? You remember me!?"

"Yes, of course..."

We were both in the top of the contest.

The title was "Please Make a Melody," right?

"Wow! Impressive! Is it true!?"

"..."

Please be normal.

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

"... Assistant writer?"

"Yes! Please call me Mingpum!"

"So, your real name is...?"

No, forget it.

I give up.

"Mingpum, I'll speak casually with you."

"Yes! Writer!!!"

"Working together with a fan isn't a good idea..."

"Ah, then I'll pretend I'm not a fan!"

"..."

Please be normal.

If Hyozhu has a cute image of a 3rd or 4th-year college student.

Mingpum has the feel of a fresh college student.

"I'm honored to work with a respected writer! I'm a successful otaku, as I've heard. Hehe."

"That's a bit..."

"Actually, I was originally a webtoon writer. I developed a dream to become a drama writer after reading your scripts!"

"Webtoon writer?"

"Yes! I drew a webtoon called 'Neighbor Acorn' on the Green Window Best Challenge!"

Unexpectedly, Hyejeong reacted to Mingpum's words.

"Wow! You're the one who was on Naver Thursday?"

"Did you see it?"

"Of course! Someone in the comments said you graduated from the Department of Fine Arts at Korea University! Is that true?"

".... How did you know?"

"Wow, I've seen almost all Naver Best Challenge works."

Hyejeong, do you have free time?

If you're a Naver Best Challenge writer, you have the potential, so why become a drama assistant writer?

No, winning the top prize in the contest is not a bad career move.

"I want to learn a lot from Writer Jin-woo Kim!"

"Um... okay."

"I plan to back up mainly with storyboard work."

"Do you have experience with storyboards?"

"Yes! I drew storyboards while working as an assistant writer! Here's my portfolio..."

"No, you don't have to show it to me."

Director Jeong must have chosen well.

A multi-talented person skilled in studies, art, and scriptwriting.

It's a bit overwhelming to know that such a person is a die-hard fan.

"Please take care of me!"

What a waste of talent.

* * *

Meanwhile, Director Max returned to the United States.

He had a reason why he couldn't contact anyone.

"Hehe... Why do melodies keep coming to mind?"

There was nothing different from his usual routine.

He just read Writer Jin-woo's script.

Although he hasn't lived for a long time, it was a rare and indescribable experience.

Just reading the script, melodies naturally came to mind.

".... Is it because it's vivid in my mind?"

The grand scale of the space magic operated by the magical girl.

The giant melting in the hellfire spewed from the mouth of the mutant tyrannosaurus.

The scene where a hundred-meter-tall mecha robot swings a giant sword and cuts off the head of a dinosaur in one stroke.

Now, he just wanted to read the script purely, but.

When he read about four pages, a majestic piano variation flashed in his mind again.

"No, again...? Sigh..."

As a musician, he couldn't dislike it.

Every time he read a scene from the script, musical notes floated in his mind.

He had no choice but to go into self-imprisonment to avoid forgetting it over time.

Knock, knock—

A company employee, who never interfered with his music work, knocked on the door.

"Sir, um..."

".... What is it?"

Director Max responded sharply without realizing it.

He was well aware that he hated being disturbed during music work.

"It's already the fourth day. You've only been drinking water and haven't eaten anything..."

"Oh, now that you mention it, I'm hungry."

".... I'll bring it to you."

"Okay."

Creak—

After the door closed, he came back to his senses.

Immediately, a growling sound from his stomach signaled extreme hunger.

"Hmm, demonic talent, indeed."

I almost starved to death while working on music in a small room.

"Hehehe."

Director Max sent a helpless smile at the script Jin-woo gave him.

At the same time, he picked up his smartphone and sent a message to his manager.

Knock, knock—

[Contact Disney Play]

[We'll work on the project]

* * *

The most time-consuming part of pre-production is the storyboard work.

Especially for works with a lot of CG, the importance of storyboard work increases.

In a green background that will be filled with CG, it serves as a guide for actors who don't know what they are acting.

'They're working hard.'

When I arrived, the two were deeply engaged in their work.

Mingpum, who started working as soon as she came to the studio today.

And Na Jisu, who was selected as the assistant director for this movie after leaving MBS.

The two greeted me and continued their work.

"Director Na Jisu, you draw well?"

"Ahaha. It's embarrassing to hear that from a Naver Best Challenge writer."

"Come on, you haven't succeeded as a webtoonist yet."

Mingpum, who spoke slowly with a bashful expression.

I don't know why she wears large, round glasses to nerf her appearance.

"But I didn't know Writer Jin-woo Kim could draw well too?"

".... Just average, isn't it?"

"Um, compared to professionals, it might be a bit, but... among ordinary people, 1st tier!"

"Good to hear."

The system improved not only his writing but also his drawing skills.

Moreover, it's easier to draw based on 'fixed' memories in his mind than to draw what he sees with his eyes.

Mingpum and Na Jisu exchanged opinions on the storyboards they had prepared.

Especially, they were deeply engaged in their work based on the illustrations I drew.

Mingpum, who saw my script for the first time today, was generous with her compliments.

"Writer Jin-woo Kim, you draw well, write well, and look...?"

"....?"

What is it, why did you stop talking?

"Our writer, you write so well...!"