Chapter 98

The next day, at Tempest Entertainment.

As soon as I arrived, I caught the attention of the employees.

"Author, congratulations!"

"Thank you."

"Congratulations!"

"Sure."

"Congratu...ations..."

"Yep."

The reactions of the employees who were looking at me were not ordinary.

The influence of the platform is indeed enormous.

'Well, it's supposed to be that way.'

Especially, overseas popularity is highly valued in Korea.

Even if you top the domestic market, being in the Billboard Top 100 is treated much better.

The same was true when I entered the workroom, where Hyoju and Mingbum were making a fuss.

"Bro, congratulations!!!"

"Author, you're a genius!!!"

"It's 19th place among the new works right now!"

"It's moved up one spot already."

"Wow, amazing...!"

The fact that it had climbed to such a ranking with just one work was significant.

The existing works had built up a fan base over time.

"Will it be hard to climb the rankings now?"

"Yes. It's difficult with a global market, even with one work."

"That's good enough."

"Sure! This could even aim for the top spot!"

"Really?"

Zing─

At that moment, Angela, the branch manager, called me personally.

She usually doesn't contact me unless there's official business.

- Author Kim, I trusted you!

"... Are you learning to make jokes these days?"

-Hmph. I told the headquarters, and it's a matter of face!

Her characteristic laugh, which comes out when she's in a good mood.

"Thankfully."

- The banner for your work on the main screen is confirmed!

"Oh!?"

- It will last for a month.

My work will be featured on the main screen of Dini Play.

It's almost impossible to get a horror work on the main screen.

- I put in some effort with the headquarters.

"Wow, thank you."

- This is all possible because of the good performance. Hmph.

With this, it was possible to challenge not just the new work rankings but the overall rankings as well.

- I'm also very excited about the movie.

"It has to do well."

-Right. I'll contact you again.

"Sure. Come in!"

Judging from the raised voice, the branch manager seemed as happy as I was.

"A, bro."

"What?"

"The manager is looking for you."

"Huh? Why didn't she contact me directly?"

"She's with Director Song right now."

".... Really?"

Is this some kind of surprise they're giving me?

They know I don't like such things, really.

"Should I go quickly?"

"Yes, bro."

"I'll send you the script first, so take a look."

"Huh?"

"I'll send you up to Chapter 6."

"Okay."

I immediately took the elevator to the manager's office.

'My surprise party... where...?'

I thought it was a party.

But if it turned out to be a funeral, it would feel like this.

"What do you think, author?"

"???"

"Ah, I need to explain."

The two were having a heated argument about the ritual schedule.

Soon, Manager Jung opened her eyes wide and spoke.

"Author, I'm thinking of skipping the ritual schedule this time."

Instantly, Director Song interjected.

"No, that can't be done. Skipping the ritual schedule?"

"Hmm... Director, there are too many foreign staff members."

"The more, the better for team spirit."

"That's why I'm suggesting we skip it."

It wasn't a fight, but their opinions were completely different.

'Ritual...'

A long-standing tradition in the Korean broadcasting industry.

The culture of bringing a real pig's head and sticking money in it.

It wouldn't be a good impression from a foreigner's perspective.

"Manager, did you skip it for the Korean horror streamer project?"

"No. At that time, it was done as usual..."

"Wasn't Director Joseph Lee in charge of that project?"

".... At that time, the production company and staff were all Korean."

If I sided with the production company and the director, who should I support?

My heart is with Manager Jung, but officially, I'm not sure.

'I should just stay out of it.'

If I intervened now, I might get hurt.

"Author, what do you think?"

"Me, me?"

"Yes. About skipping the ritual schedule."

"Hmm, Manager is right..."

"Author!"

Director Song interjected with a serious expression.

"The staff's morale will drop before filming even starts!"

"No! They'll feel the cultural differences from the start!"

This might turn into a physical fight.

Director Song is dangerous.

His opponent is a black belt.

Swoosh─

I subtly took out my smartphone and searched for something.

Just as another argument was about to start between the two.

".... What about this?"

I showed them a large photo of a pig's head on my smartphone.

"???"

The two looked at me as if they needed an explanation.

"Instead of bringing a real pig's head, let's put up a photo on the screen and perform the ritual."

"Ah..."

"Um..."

A few days later.

At a set for "Codename 030: Magical Girl Part 1."

A giant photo of a pig's head was displayed on a 75-inch LED TV screen.

One by one, people bowed deeply in front of the photo.

About half of the foreign staff members didn't miss this interesting sight.

'Please make it a huge success.'

I placed two 50,000 won bills in front of the pig's head.

Wishing for the safety and success of my first movie.

With the ritual schedule completed, the movie production schedule kicked into high gear.

* * *

Kim Heejeong entered the meeting place alone, free from her manager.

This was the basic premise of the meeting requested by author Im Joo.

Creak─

When she arrived at the agreed time, the director and author were already seated.

"Ah, hello!"

".... You're late?"

"Huh? Ah..."

Im Joo, slightly annoyed, scolded her.

I can't say I came 20 minutes early.

"Sorry."

"Next time, come 30 minutes early. It's basic."

"Yes, author!"

"Author? Call me 'sister.'"

"....?"

What's Im Joo's intention behind acting so authoritative and then asking to be called 'sister'?

Even Director Han Giseong looked at her as if she were a peculiar person.

'She's a spy planted by Tempest. I need to do well.'

Telling me to come 30 minutes early and giving me the chance to call her 'sister'...

'This is more than enough for a new actor. Hehe.'

Thanks to her excessive interference, Heejeong called her by a bizarre title that doesn't exist in Korea.

"Yes! Author-sister."

".... Let's talk about the work."

Director Han, who had been watching, sighed inwardly.

"As you know, I'm considering you for a leading role."

"Yes!"

"So, I want to see some impromptu acting."

"Ah..."

An impromptu audition.

I had expected this from the moment she asked me to come alone without any agents or managers.

"Here's the script. Just show me the first scene."

"Sure!"

"I'll give you 10 minutes, so take your time."

Heejeong received the script from Director Han and checked it.

'Oh...?'

A familiar title.

It was a work she had definitely seen somewhere before.

"Warm First Snow Part 1"

A unique and romantic title.

It was a work she had seen a few times when she was an assistant to Jinwoo.

She remembered how much her brother had lamented when the project fell through.

'... Half of the lines are the same.'

Heejeong glanced up at author Im Joo.

Im Joo stared at her with transparent, unreadable eyes.

"Why? Do you like the script?"

".... Yes, the script is really, really good."

"Hehe. You're already trying to sell yourself."

"..."

"It's a work I've been preparing for a long time. Did you know it's a 16-episode completed work?"

".... Yes."

Although she was boiling with anger inside, she had no intention of backing down.

It would be better to show her success with this work.

After the series ends, she could reveal that her brother was involved in half of it.

'There's no one who has seen this work more than me.'

A work she practiced alone to nurture her dream of becoming an actor.

She had practiced it enough before joining the theater.

".... Do you think I'm easy to fool?"

Heejeong stood up from her seat and played the role of Seo Ji-yoo.

"Your rich father gave you money to live a luxurious life, but I!"

Proper breath control.

Clear diction that resonates in the ears.

"Here, I'm just making minimum wage by making coffee, got it?"

Director Han's eyes sparkled at Heejeong's natural performance.

However, the person most surprised was author Im Joo herself.

'This... This is the line before I revised it...'

She had completely revised the script written by Kim Jinwoo.

But why does it feel more natural now?

"So, I'm going to take down those rich bastards...!"

".... Stop."

"Huh? Ah, yes!"

"Don't change the lines on your own!"

"Ah, sorry!"

"..."

Im Joo felt a bit annoyed but suppressed her anger and continued.

"You can act."

"Huh?"

"You're well cast. Our protagonist."

"Th-Then..."

Im Joo and Han Giseong looked at each other and nodded simultaneously.

"Anyway, you're on my team now, so don't get too close to other authors."

"Huh? Ah..."

"Do you understand?"

"Yes, sister!"

Kim Heejeong smiled widely, but her thoughts were unknown.

"Good, that sounds nice. Hehe."

* * *

I headed to Bamboo