Chapter 95

While talking on the phone with Director Joo Tae-hong, Jeong Saerom suddenly had a thought.

If there were a broadcasting god, it would probably be Kim Jin-woo.

"Director Joo. Then I'll take note of the meeting date."

—What about Mr. Kim Jin-woo…?

"I'll let him know."

—Haha. As expected, Tempest does a great job.

"Thank you."

—Alright. See you then.

"Yes, Director."

Click.

A meeting with Director Kuk Jin-hyun of KBC Broadcasting Station.

If you don't know what this means, you don't deserve to sit here.

Director Kuk is a renowned director when it comes to historical dramas.

To prepare a grand historical drama at such a perfect timing.

"Mr. Kim Jin-woo mentioned he has a religion, didn't he…?"

What god did he say it was?

Cyber god? System god?

Knock, knock—

At that moment, Hwang Hyo-ju knocked on the door as scheduled.

"Come in."

Soon, Manager Jeong Saerom received three scripts from Hyo-ju.

"Manager, here you go. I printed the scripts."

"What do you think of this work, Hyo-ju?"

"Um, I haven't…."

"Yes?"

"My brother showed it to me for the first time today."

"…."

A script that even the assistant writer hasn't seen.

No matter how you look at it, it's an extraordinary situation.

"Even though he's already written three parts…?"

"Yes. I'm going to read it at the studio."

"…. Okay. Thank you."

Saerom checked the cover of the first script.

"Imjin Year, The Blade of Counterattack Part 1"

It sounds like a game title, bringing a grand historical drama script.

Anyway, Mingbum, the writer, is so busy with the storyboard that he won't be of any help.

"He wrote it all by himself…."

Jin-woo has always amazed her with his insane workload and speed.

Historical dramas, in particular, are the genre where assistant writers are most needed.

To write a grand historical drama alone is far beyond the norm.

Especially in a genre where you can be criticized for researching with dozens of books stacked up.

Rustle—

Unable to resist her curiosity, she opened the script.

Starting with a brief history lesson in a liberal arts class, it introduced the daily life of a college student named In-su.

Like most possession stories, the immersion in the early part was exceptional.

Especially, the scene where he enters the body of a nobleman and makes physical and verbal jokes made her laugh involuntarily.

"Hehe."

Before she knew it, she had finished the conclusion of the third part.

She peeled a Homerun Choco Ball from under the table and entered otaku mode.

"Zzgiyo."

"Yup."

"…. I'm here."

Saerom, without taking her eyes off the script, felt around the sofa for a Homerun Choco Ball….

"That's my finger."

"Aah!"

"….?"

"What, what is it!"

"Kim Jin-woo."

"…."

She didn't know when he had arrived, but there he was, sitting next to her.

"You just greeted me a moment ago."

"Me?"

"Yes."

"…. You should have knocked."

"I only knocked eight times, sorry."

With that, Saerom cleared her throat and composed herself.

"The new work is interesting."

"Yes, it seemed that way."

"…."

For some reason, she felt like she was always on the defensive in front of Kim Jin-woo.

Especially, she was worried about how to deal with the Homerun Choco Ball.

"I eat them often too."

"…. Really?"

"Yes."

"I'm trying one for the first time today."

"…."

Saerom cleared her throat a couple of times and then said to Jin-woo.

"Finish the pre-production of the movie and start the historical drama production."

"…. Do you think I have the capacity?"

"Of course. Thanks to someone, the number of employees has doubled in a year."

"Oh….! Then, maybe three…?"

"Absolutely not."

There are only a few works that are worth producing as dramas.

Among the many scripts piled on Saerom's desk, only a few make it to production.

Even the ones that are worth producing are often pushed back due to Jin-woo's works.

'Proven by results.'

At least until they fail, no one can say anything to Jin-woo or herself.

In fact, she was confident that they could now easily shake off the influence of terrestrial broadcasting stations.

"By the way, there's one problem."

"Yes?"

"I'm worried that all the Japanese fans might leave if we mess up."

"…. Don't worry, we're not exporting this to Japan."

To be precise, they can't.

"Set up a meeting with the KBC director."

"Why him specifically?"

"Because of the promise we made then…. KBC is strong in historical dramas."

"Got it. I'll check it out."

Saerom smiled slightly and started asking questions about the script.

Their conversation continued until Director Song Kwansu arrived.

* * *

What's the difference between a drama writer and a movie screenwriter?

There are many, but one thing to consider is:

"Mr. Kim Jin-woo is quite versatile."

"Oh, not that much."

Song Kwansu was increasingly impressed with Kim Jin-woo's skills as he analyzed the script.

"That's true."

"Haha."

Jin-woo scratched his head, embarrassed.

'You must be planning to direct soon.'

The most important ability for a director, beyond directing, is the ability to interpret and express a script.

That's why there have been many screenwriters who have become directors.

In fact, in Korea, almost all directors are involved in the script.

At least, it's considered normal for a screenwriter to interfere with the script to some extent.

"There's nothing to revise in the script."

"Well, I was particularly meticulous."

"Not only directing, but you've also divided the work for the production team."

"Um…."

It was as if he had written the questions with the answers already decided.

Even the parts that can't be realized in a blockbuster movie.

The scenes that Kim Jin-woo marked as requiring set production all matched his predictions.

Scene by scene.

Interpreting each scene, estimating the production cost, and checking practical issues like controlling the crowd.

For scenes that can't find a shooting location, they had to consider installing a set of a certain scale.

"Seongrok, is this possible?"

"Yes. We can cover it with CG."

Director Song, along with Kim Jin-woo, Gook Seong-rok, and Manager Jeong, went through the script and storyboard in detail.

On the side, other members of the production and directing teams were analyzing different scenes.

Once this process is complete, production will finally begin.

A movie production that could make or break Tempest Entertainment.

It was also a crucial moment for Director Song Kwansu.

"Manager Jeong, is the support from the Ministry of National Defense confirmed?"

"Yes, the official document has been issued."

"Fortunately, the production cost will be significantly reduced."

Considering the tanks and armored vehicles provided by the Ministry of National Defense, which would have to be created with CG otherwise.

"232 explosion scenes in total."

"14 car explosions."

"If we buy them used, the price would be…."

Their work continued for a long time.

It wasn't something that could be finished in a day, and it was expected to continue for a while.

* * *

A lazy weekend afternoon.

Finally, the day the documentary I shot with Heejeong was airing.

I sat on the sofa, waiting for 6 PM.

"This documentary is quite popular, isn't it?"

It felt strange, as if I had raised it myself, like my own work.

The D&C gallery of other programs was filled with discussions about the documentary.

[What kind of unheard-of thing is Kim Heejeong?]

[Just riding the Tempest agency's popularity ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[The eight siblings in Ohreung-dong are hilarious!]

[So cute, I sometimes want to bite and kill them ㅎㅎ]

[She's almost method acting as the annoying little sister ㅋㅋㅋ]

While checking these reactions, I watched the documentary.

Especially, the scene where she writes in front of Admiral Yi Sun-sin's scroll.

'Embarrassing.'

The atmosphere of a nobleman's spirit, grinding ink in a reverent posture.

I don't know when PD Do took this, but it's going to be a week of kicking the covers off.

"Kiya, you look like an artist."

"…. Writers are artists too."

"Ohh~"

"Thanks."

Heejeong looked at me with a newfound admiration.

It was clear she was thinking of how to tease me again.

Honestly, I'm not sure if the documentary is interesting, but it's fascinating to see myself in it.

While watching the documentary, I occasionally checked the community on my smartphone.

"The community reactions are not bad…. Huh?"

[They go so well together ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[They're so cute, creepy ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[Just date already ㅎㅎ]

Date?

This jerk, it's not your business to talk like that.

"Ah, a disgrace to the Kim family."

"Why?"

Heejeong shuddered when she saw the dirty community.

The only thing I can do now is protect the honor of the clan.

"Heejeong, commit seppuku."

"Shouldn't you do it?"

"…. Don't you know 'Jang Yu Yu Seo'?"

"I still have a long life ahead of me."

"…."

Because of my friendship with Director Sung, I pretended not to know and got caught in the crossfire.

Ding dong—

While bonding with my sister, the system's function suddenly activated.

When did it have such a context?

【Content: Imjin Year, The Blade of Counterattack Part 4】

【Genre: Fusion Historical Drama, Alternate History, Modern Possession, War】

【Location: Bamboo Entertainment Lobby】

【Time Limit: 6 hours】

【※ Platinum Upgrade: 110-110101-1011 (Virtual Account, W Bank)】

【※ Deposit Amount: 0 won / 30 billion won】

Bamboo Entertainment is the agency of actor So Chaedam.

I understand that, but 6 hours is too much.

"What is this?"

Did you suddenly take some pills?

Why are you so scary all of a sudden?

Suddenly, I recalled the actors affiliated with Bamboo Entertainment.

"Actor Jo Yongman."

I had forgotten about him, even though I had seen him play the role of Kim Sung-il while writing the drama.

'So, 6 hours means….!'

Is this system really created by a god?

* * *

There's no choice.

Ring ring—

I immediately called someone from the registered numbers to get entry permission.

—Hello? Mr. Writer?

"Chaedam, how are you?"

—No….

"Yes? What's wrong?"

—Lately, I've been so bored without any stimulation.

"…."

This person might learn yamakasi soon.

He's dangerous.

—Hmm, Mr. Writer. Why did you call?

"Ah, that's…."

—Of course! Calling at this hour, could it be….

"Absolutely not!"

—Oh, the top 3 haunted places you can't enter? You must have seen that video, right?

"No, what…."

—The best comment on that YouTube video is actually my ID!!

"…."

—This is our little secret!

I don't care about that, so you don't have to tell me.

"…. Chaedam."

—Yeah?

"I want to enter Bamboo Entertainment, but it's too late."

—Ah….?

"Can I come in?"

—I'll ask my manager.

"Thank you…."

—But.

But what?

—I want to go on a horror experience with you. Why do you always go alone?

I don't go alone.

Why would I go there?

—I feel neglected lately.

"…."

—Are you worried about a scandal?

"No."

—I knew you would, so I bought a hijab. Directly from the Middle East. Hehe.

"…. That will draw more attention."

I'm dizzy, so dizzy.

"Um…. Anyway."

—Yes?

"Sure. I'll take you next time, so please help me out."

—Oh, okay!

After the call with actor So Chaedam, I caught a taxi, worried about the time limit.

I then moved to the lobby, guided by the manager who was working late at the company.

"Found it, but…. There's no time."

As soon as she saw the white light, she immediately sat down and opened her laptop.

Tap, tap, tap—

"Imjin Year, The Blade of Counterattack Part 4"

If I complete up to Part 4 today, it will be enough to show to the broadcasting station.

Tap, tap—

The latter part of the previous episode continued into today's introduction.

The content unfolded through the dialogue between Kim Sung-il, who was seeking help, and Ryu Seong-ryong, who looked puzzled.

—We cannot stop the war, but we can reduce the damage.

—Haha. You seem certain about the war.

—Of course.

Wasn't Kim Sung-il the one who said Toyotomi Hideyoshi was not the kind of person to invade?

Moreover, there are rumors that he is wavering, which makes Ryu Seong-ryong a bit hesitant.

—I plan to submit a petition to dismiss Won Gyun.

—For what reason….

—He passed the military examination with his father's help.

—Hmm, that's not enough….

—He is not capable of performing his duties as a county magistrate.

—….

—Compared to Shin Rip, Yi Il, and Admiral Yi Sun-sin, he was promoted to the position of Left Inspector without any expertise.

This was already a matter that had been petitioned to the Office of Censors.

Even if Kim Sung-il hadn't said it, Won Gyun was destined to be dismissed soon.

—And appoint Admiral Yi Sun-sin as the Right Naval Commander of Gyeongsang Province.

—…. Are you serious?

Until recently, Kim Sung-il had petitioned that Yi Sun-sin's sudden promotion was unfair.

Now, he was suggesting that Yi Sun-sin take charge of the largest naval base in Joseon.

The prime minister tried to understand what Kim Sung-il was up to.

In front of him, Kim Sung-il…. In-su had only one thought.

'Before the war breaks out, block Won Gyun's return to office completely….'

Won Gyun would be promoted to the position of Right Naval Commander of Gyeongsang Province once the Imjin War broke out.

As a military official, who was looked down upon compared to civil officials, he could be replaced at any time.

In Joseon, a single document could grant or take away a high-ranking position.

—Will you change your mind about this tomorrow?

—If that happens, I will submit a petition to the king in advance.

—…. I don't understand.

Kim Sung-il diligently collected evidence to ensure that Won Gyun could never return to office.

'I need to find Won Gyun's corruption!'

Thus, Kim In-su (who was In-su) slowly prepared for the war.

The conversation with Prime Minister Ryu Seong-ryong was just the beginning.

Especially, he clearly distinguished between those who fled from the Japanese and those who fought bravely and died.

"The conclusion of this episode…."

Kim Sung-il obtained the answer he wanted through the Japanese monk Gensho.

Then, using his future knowledge cheat, he submitted a petition to King Seonjo.

—Upon interrogating the Japanese envoy Gensho, it is reported that the regent is building a forward base to attack Ming. We must urgently investigate Nagoya, Japan, to monitor the enemy's movements. Please understand and approve.

In August 1591, eight months before the Imjin War broke out, the court was turned upside down by the document written by Kim Sung-il.

* * *

At the same time, two people heading to the Bamboo Entertainment lobby.

Among them, Jo Yongman was walking and talking with a senior actor.

"Yongman, you look depressed lately."

"No, I'm not!"

"Not, you brat. You don't even care about the scripts you're getting."

"…. I'm sorry."

After failing to win the grand prize at MBS, Jo Yongman had been like this.

A 15-year acting career, long if you think about it, short if you don't.

He had a smooth acting career because his first supporting role in a drama was a huge hit due to good luck.

"Why? Are you giving up on your acting career because you didn't win the grand prize?"

"No, no!"

He couldn't dare to show his feelings in front of a senior actor with 30 years of experience.

"Life is long. You never know what work will come."

"…. I'll keep that in mind."

Honestly, it wasn't a one or two-day thing that grand prize winners were treated differently based on their age.

Although he didn't show it outward