Chapter 94

PD Do Hye-ji guided writer Kim Jin-woo.

She had just received a special instruction from her senior.

- Even if the location is a bit picky, we can accommodate it.

She would have done so even if she hadn't heard PD Gil's words.

Considering all other conditions, it was safe to say that her job security was on the line for the time being.

However,

‘Are all writers like this?’

She had met all sorts of writers while working in this industry.

Among them, the writer who demanded she bring a "shaky-shaky burger" stood out in her memory.

A person who, after mixing two menu items from a nearby burger shop, ate it with great satisfaction.

‘Writer Lee Min-ju…’

Although she didn't often converse with drama writers, preferring to work with variety show writers.

Nonetheless, writer Kim Jin-woo was the next most unique after that person.

"Hmm, it's hard to find."

"What?"

"Is there a place where only staff can enter?"

"Oh…"

PD Do looked at the staff apologetically.

"There's a place under renovation."

"Where is it?"

"A place where the portrait of Admiral Yi Sun-sin is stored…."

"Oh, I can see it right away!"

‘What exactly is he talking about?’

Do Hye-ji soon realized what Kim Jin-woo had been searching for.

Thud—

A magnificent scroll depicting Admiral Yi Sun-sin's life.

Writer Kim Jin-woo, sitting cross-legged in front of it with reverence.

"Writer, this place is under construction…."

"It's fine."

The dusty and messy construction site.

Jin-woo's casual posture resembled that of a Taoist who had just descended from a mountain.

For a star writer, he was far from being picky.

He seemed grateful just to have a place to sit.

Squeak—

Writer Kim Jin-woo opened the zipper of his backpack and took out an old, worn-out laptop.

Seeing this, it was hard to imagine that this was the writer who was on the path to success.

Tap, tap—

PD Do watched in amazement as he opened his laptop and began writing the script.

‘He’s really unique.’

It's not unusual for writers to have a preference for their writing location.

But usually, they only write at home.

‘What a…’

She exchanged a wry smile with the memorial hall manager.

He, too, was in no position to say anything to the MBS production team and writer Kim Jin-woo, who had come to promote the place.

‘I’m sorry.’

‘It’s fine.’

They whispered to each other, but it probably wouldn't have mattered if they had spoken louder.

Writer Kim Jin-woo was already deeply immersed in his work.

‘I should at least get a shot of the writer’s back for the camera.’

The image of the writer writing a script in front of Admiral Yi Sun-sin's scroll was both unique and meaningful.

Of course, if it had been anyone else, they might have been ridiculed.

Tap, tap—

For a while, the sound of the laptop keys echoed in the room.

* * *

In Tokyo, Japan, at the Fuji TV station.

A woman and three men signed a contract with satisfied expressions.

They exchanged opinions fluently in Japanese.

"I understand you are one of the most famous directors at Fuji TV."

"Haha. Thank you for the compliment."

"No, it's true. Everyone in the industry knows, Director Shin-ken."

"Hmm."

Shin-ken looked embarrassed by the excessive praise from Jeong Saerom.

"Shall we start with Japanese today?"

"Sure."

Then, the head of Fuji TV's drama production department subtly asked a question.

"By the way, isn't Jin-woo coming today?"

"Oh, he has some urgent business."

"That's a shame. I was hoping we could have a drink today."

"If there's a chance, I'll definitely arrange it."

"Haha. Thanks."

Jeong Saerom and Team Leader Byeon stood up.

Clack, clack—

Soon, the sound of Saerom's high heels echoed through the Fuji TV lobby.

"Director, all the lead actors are A-list."

"That's great. Since it's the first remake, I can tell Writer Kim Jin-woo is also looking forward to it."

"Oh, really?"

"Of course. I can tell just by looking at his expression."

"Haha…."

Although they had only worked together for a little over a year,

she knew Kim Jin-woo better than any other writer.

"Director, by the way."

"Yes?"

On the way to her accommodation, Team Leader Byeon cautiously spoke up.

"Since we have some time before the evening flight…"

"Yes."

"Would you like to have dinner?"

"…I don't feel like eating today."

"Well, I'll go and eat then."

"Sure."

Soon, Saerom headed to the hotel where she had stayed the previous night.

She used her card key to open the door.

"Ah, hello."

"Looks like you have a guest. Are you leaving?"

The cleaning lady, surprised by Saerom's pronunciation, asked.

"Are you not Japanese…?"

"Yes, I'm Korean."

"Wow, your pronunciation is almost perfect, I couldn't tell."

"Ahaha."

In Saerom's room, there was a pile of chocolate-flavored snacks.

‘What does Japanese chocolate taste like?’

The butterfly effect of the popcorn Kim Jin-woo had given her, leading to a chocolate ending.

"Ordering chocolate snacks from room service is a first for me."

"Really? Oh… Is that so?"

"Sure is."

The cleaning lady, making a joke until the end, left the room.

"Be careful, it can rot your teeth. Don't eat too much."

"Yes…."

Hearing this from a stranger, it felt real.

‘When did I start…’

Eating only organic vegetables.

How did I get hooked on junk food?

‘Writer Kim Jin-woo…’

I picked up a bad habit from him.

* * *

Tap, tap—

"Is this about right?"

He checked the completed third episode script.

「Imjin Year, Counterattack of the Blade 3」

In this episode, the focus was on the main character, Kim Sung-il, and his struggles.

Preparing for war, he faced many obstacles due to Korea's long peace and the limitations of Neo-Confucianism.

There were many times he wanted to curse the old conservatives during state affairs discussions.

Especially, there were things that needed to be changed before the war began.

For example, the Battle of Tanjungdae led by General Shin Rip.

A general who, despite having experienced war during the unification of the Warring States period and even being armed with arquebuses, underestimated the Japanese army.

And, most fatally, the 70-odd panokseon ships commanded by Admiral Won Gyun.

Considering that Admiral Yi Sun-sin led 56 panokseon ships to victory at the Battle of Hansan Island,

it was one of the worst own goals in Korean naval history.

Ultimately, Won Gyun, through false accusations, replaced Yi Sun-sin and was appointed as his successor.

He then led the Korean navy to a disastrous defeat at the Battle of Chilcheollyang, one of the worst naval battles in Korean history.

On the other hand, Kim Sung-il did his best to prepare for the Imjin War.

However, all his plans were foiled by the real Kim Sung-il, who appeared every two days.

- This won't do. I need to take drastic measures.

In the final scene of the third episode, the possessed Kim Sung-il visits Prime Minister Ryu Seong-ryong, and the drama ends.

"Hmm…"

As an alternate history, the plot was quite interesting.

The charm of alternate history lies in adding hypothetical scenarios to real history.

What if a modern person tried to change a regrettable part of history?

And, how would a war between Korea and Japan play out in such a scenario?

"Hey…"

At that moment, PD Do's voice came from behind.

"Are you still working?"

"Oh, I just finished."

"Oh, really?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll guide you right away!"

He gathered his things and set off for the documentary shoot.

Thud, thud—

When they arrived at the shooting location, the couch potato he had seen at home was sitting there, fully made up.

‘Kim Hee-jung, that’s her.’

Her ability to smile and greet people warmly was not ordinary.

"Writer! It's an honor to meet you here instead of at the company!"

"Ha… Hmm."

He barely managed to cut off his words.

The fact that Kim Jin-woo and Kim Hee-jung were siblings.

It was a secret known only to a few employees at Tempest Entertainment.

"Wow, being in the same agency as the writer and appearing in a popular documentary these days. Hehe."

"Hmm… You know how to use honorifics. Didn't you know?"

"Of course I do!"

Kim Hee-jung put on an innocent face as if she knew nothing.

Was it the actress's charm or did people's eyesight differ from his?

The male staff on set smiled at her.

"Wow… Actresses are a different class."

"Director Jeong, too, and this time it's a hit…!"

"Our shooting team is suddenly blessed with great guests."

"Wow, I'm shaking hands with an actress for the first time."

I can hear you, you jerks.

Kim Hee-jung, still putting on a fake smile.

I really want to punch her 100 times.

‘I’ll deal with you when we get home.’

Sure enough, the Kim family daughter caught his gaze and her eyes lit up.

"Writer, you're staring at me so intensely. It's embarrassing. Hehe."

"Such a… beautiful Kim Hee-jung. Let's get to it right away. Haha."

"Huh?"

Seeing Hee-jung's wide-eyed reaction, he felt a sense of disappointment.

After the shooting started, it was the same.

"Hey! Brother… Same writer! This is the sword Admiral Yi Sun-sin used!!"

"I wish I could hit someone with that sword once."

"Really? That's so cruel."

"…"

Now he was enjoying it.

I raised a tiger cub.

Meanwhile, the staff's gaze was not good.

They still seemed to think they were just close colleagues from the same company.

"Wow! Writer, this is amazing!!"

"Hey, don't touch it!"

He quickly stopped Hee-jung, who was about to touch the broken glass.

"The glass is broken. Idiot!"

"It says it's okay to touch here… Ouch."

"It won't work even if you cry."

"Damn."

Without realizing it, he pressed his index finger against Hee-jung's forehead, just like at home.

"Take your hand off."

"Want to see me do it?"

"Ugh…."

Hee-jung, acting like a low-IQ person, didn't realize that he could just push her away.

‘What kind of breed is this among dogs…’

At that moment, feeling the strange atmosphere, he looked around and saw the staff's suspicious gazes.

One clueless staff member tried to lighten the mood with a bad joke.

"Ah! You two must be close."

"…"

That's a topic for international gossip.

"Okay, let's take a short break and continue!"

PD Gil, noticing his sour expression, called out loudly.

Then, he quickly moved away, putting his arm around a staff member's shoulder.

"Let's talk for