Chapter 93

The final shooting location, halfway up Wolgok Mountain.

In the abandoned cemetery, variously shaped tombstones were densely packed.

“Ugh…”

“Why?”

“I’m scared here.”

Seeing Hyoju shivering in fear, he said,

“You’re really a coward.”

“Hey, I’m not that scared.”

“With so many staff members around, what are you scared of?”

“… It might be a ghost.”

“Stop it.”

“Yes.”

The atmosphere was not as dark and gloomy as expected.

Numerous lights illuminated the area.

‘Something feels unfamiliar here.’

Memories of coming here with Heejeong resurfaced.

Especially the place where I wrote.

“Something’s strange?”

“Yes?”

“I’m sure there was an abandoned house nearby when I wrote.”

“Come on, don’t joke.”

Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine.

“No, I’m serious….”

“Hey, you must be mistaken about the location.”

“Y-Yeah, that’s probably it.”

Despite the many staff members moving around,

he couldn’t shake off the eerie feeling.

Then, a soft, ghostly voice whispered in his ear.

“Writer-nim.”

“Aaaah!”

“Kyaah!”

As soon as I screamed, So Chae-dam, who was behind me, also screamed.

“Why do you keep appearing from behind!”

“I was already behind you!”

“….”

That’s logical, isn’t it?

“I’m going to throw a punch!”

At that moment, the assistant director’s voice was followed by Ji Sung-ho’s appearance.

He then spotted me and, with a casual nod, began preparing for the shoot.

“Writer-nim, I’m going to head out now.”

“Yes. Chae-dam.”

“The content of today’s shoot is really good.”

“Yes?”

“Gwak Mudang leaves a creepy hint and ends there. I really like it.”

“???”

“Season 2 might come out. Hehe.”

“….”

Chae-dam smiled and walked away as if nothing had happened.

Watching her slowly move away, I felt a sense of transcendence from the mundane world.

‘Now I just accept it.’

After all, modern people usually carry a mental illness.

Still, it’s better than mine.

If the system is a form of mental illness,

then the two main actors and one villain who are about to start shooting.

“Gwak Mudang.”

Gwak Mudang, looking like a demon, pursued with a powerful aura.

In contrast, Ji Sung-ho, though less charismatic,

was hit by Gwak Mudang and threw dirt into his eyes.

“Gah! You damn brat…!”

I heard that they would use CG to make it look like the dirt entered his eyes directly.

Ji Sung-ho picked up a stone and threw it at Gwak Mudang, then grabbed Chae-dam’s wrist and ran.

“Huff, huff. Where did they go? Damn dogs…!”

The two main actors, holding each other’s hands, stifled their breath.

Gwak Mudang, acting like a madman, kicked and destroyed the model tombstones.

‘Watch the acting.’

Of course, they’re models, not real stones.

Still, the way they break them in one go shows a lot of practice.

I doubt he’ll get a gentle middle-aged role anytime soon.

His current role fits him perfectly.

After a while, Ji Sung-ho, confirming that Gwak Mudang was gone, winked at Chae-dam.

‘…. What’s with the wink?’

“Sung-ho.”

“Yes?”

Sure enough, Director Joseph declared an NG.

He immediately called out to Sung-ho and pointed out the script.

“It’s written here. You turn around coolly.”

“Yes. So I’m winking while turning around…?”

“….”

That’s not cool.

“Just do it more straightforwardly! With a bit of expression….”

“Aha. Okay! I understand!”

“Really?”

“Yes! Trust me!”

Ji Sung-ho stood in front of the camera with what he thought was a cool expression.

Following the director’s cue, he naturally smiled at Chae-dam.

‘Damn it.’

Don’t do a forward roll.

Sighs of exasperation from the staff could be heard everywhere.

Judging by their expressions, this is a familiar scene.

“No ad-libs.”

Sung-ho is banned for life.

Throughout the night, the staff took turns sleeping in tents.

Of course, except for the irreplaceable main actors and some directors.

The next morning.

Tents were set up halfway up Wolgok Mountain, and we greeted the morning in the mountains.

Checking my phone outside, I saw a message from Manager Jung.

[Writer-nim, there’s some good news!]

[I’ll tell you at the company later. Hehe]

“Oh….”

I’m not sure what the good news is, but this is the first time I’ve seen such a casual emoticon.

Maybe we’ve become closer through the documentary.

‘I feel good.’

I went outside and chatted with the staff.

Despite the grueling night shoot, the staff and actors were exhausted.

Finally, the last moment arrived.

“Cut! Great job!”

“Woo-hoo!!”

“Kyaah!!”

The staff and actors cheered, recalling the hard times they had been through.

Especially Hyoju, who had dark circles under her eyes.

“What’s wrong? Did you stay up all night?”

“Yes….”

“Why? You didn’t have anything to do.”

“I usually can’t sleep when I change my sleeping place.”

“You should have said something earlier.”

“It’s okay.”

If I had known, I wouldn’t have brought her.

I felt a bit guilty.

“… Don’t come to work today and rest.”

“Really?”

“Yes. You’re off duty.”

“Oh! But, um. Brother.”

“Yes?”

“Are we not going to the tonkatsu restaurant?”

“….”

I’ll order takeout next time.

* * *

A little later,

Finally, after completing the last shoot, I went to work with a sense of relief.

Although my body was stiff from sleeping in the tent.

‘Already the fourth drama completed.’

Following the pure macho and the returnee, and Kim Nayoung.

Excluding the web series, this is the fourth 16-episode drama.

Knock, knock—

Responding to Manager Jung’s call, I knocked on her door.

“Come in.”

I immediately opened the door and went in.

“Manager, I heard there’s some good news…?”

“Yes, it’s very good news.”

“???”

What could be such good news that you wouldn’t tell me if I asked?

“You seem very curious? Hehe.”

What is it? Is something good happening today?

The smile just now was a bit flirtatious.

“What is it?”

“Ah, hmm.”

Saerom cleared her throat and continued.

“It’s a remake.”

“What?”

“A remake of the pure macho!”

“Wow!?”

My work is being remade.

“Like Boys Over Flowers?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

No, that’s a Japanese work remade in Korea.

“A noisy family that recently did well was also remade in Japan, right?”

“Yes. This is the first time for your work after that.”

“… It’s good news, then.”

“There might be some Japanese schedules in the future.”

“Oh….”

“Yes?”

A writer who wrote a drama about the Imjin War would probably lose popularity in Japan.

‘I’ll think about that later…’

I need to finish what I’m doing first.

“Manager, how’s the movie production going?”

“Oh, we received a cooperation letter from the Ministry of National Defense recently.”

“Oh!”

“The 10% rating for the documentary was a big help.”

“We did it together. You also appeared in it, Manager.”

“… Yes.”

Manager Jung still seemed a bit uncomfortable with appearing on TV.

“We’re also planning your appearances in each scene.”

“Really?”

“Yes. We expect about 250 staff members and 30 equipment trucks.”

Check out the scale.

“We might need four power generators. Oh, and medical staff will be included.”

“It’s almost like Hollywood.”

“… This is the minimum number for that script.”

“Ahaha. Anyway.”

Now that the drama shooting is over.

“When is the Korean horror streamer, Disney+ schedule?”

“Once the editing is done….”

About two months from now.

“Congratulations on the first original drama premiere on Disney+ Play.”

“Thank you, Manager.”

As I was about to stand up with a smile, I noticed something unexpected in a corner.

Or rather, some food.

“Manager.”

“Yes?”

“Um….”

I pointed at them with my finger.

“Do you eat snacks now?”

“… They’re for guests.”

“Guests get this…?”

Popcorn, Vanilla Kick, King Shrimp Chips.

Not the kind of food you’d serve to guests.

“Sometimes children come with their parents.”

“… Really?”

“Yes. You didn’t know?”

I’ve never seen them, but let’s just leave it at that.

One of the bags was already open, so I gave her a tip.

“