Chapter 17

Twist (2)

At Hong Hye-yeon's response, the representative, who had stopped at the shoe cabinet, covered his face with one hand, looking very tired.

"Aaah, damn. Suddenly, I'm craving something sweet."

Then, Hong Hye-yeon, with her arms crossed, whined a bit.

"Why? No, I just said I'm a little curious, that's all. I didn't say I'd do that short film, so why are you overreacting?"

"......You're making a fuss. When you say you're curious, you usually end up eating it. Don't I know you?"

Soon, the representative, who had stopped putting on his shoes, took them off roughly.

"Anyway, why would an actress playing a profiler in a drama suddenly do a short film? I wouldn't know unless a big script doesn't come in. What? Scripts from medium to large productions in various genres are coming in, but it just happens to be a short film."

Muttering, he moved to the living room sofa and sat down. The representative's reaction was not as big as expected. Probably because he had adapted to Hong Hye-yeon's sudden outbursts. Anyway, Hong Hye-yeon, in her pajamas, sat next to him, and the representative let out a small sigh.

"Wait a moment, let me organize my thoughts."

The representative, who suddenly needed to organize his thoughts, was named Choi Sung-geun. He was the representative of the talent agency to which top actress Hong Hye-yeon belonged, and the CEO of the startup bw Entertainment. He was in his late 30s, with long hair tied back.

He wore glasses without frames, but his appearance had a bit of a laid-back vibe.

"Hmm-"

Although the atmosphere seemed lazy at first glance, Choi Sung-geun had been in the entertainment industry for over 10 years and had a sharp mind. He was not only perceptive but also very resourceful.

Thanks to his unique charm, Choi Sung-geun had a wide network of contacts.

Hong Hye-yeon and Choi Sung-geun had been together from her debut to the present, and it would not be an exaggeration to say that the current Hong Hye-yeon was created by him.

Their relationship was a well-known story in the entertainment industry.

Hong Hye-yeon also recognized his abilities, so when he founded bw Entertainment, she readily joined, and a significant amount of her funds went into bw Entertainment. In other words, Hong Hye-yeon was both an investor and the main star.

At this point.

"Is the short film you're talking about called 'Detective Agency'?"

Choi Sung-geun, leaning back on the sofa, asked, and Hong Hye-yeon, crossing her legs, replied.

"Yes, 'Detective Agency'."

"Is it about investigating the current situation? Do you just want to know the history of the film?"

"Yep, every little detail."

"What? It's not hard to collect information by going around a few independent and short film companies. Ah, it's suddenly so annoying. But if it's a script with nothing, even I would find it difficult, right?"

"No, no, if it's something that PD Song talks about, there must be something. And, do you remember? PD Shin Dong-chun."

"I know. The guy who used to make dramas and then suddenly went to make movies and disappeared... Oh, wait, could it be?"

"Right. 'Detective Agency' was written by that PD."

Choi Sung-geun's eyes widened slightly at this.

"Really? Why is PD Song, who is so innovative, involved?"

"Isn't it?"

"That's why I'm curious. So, what will you do for me if I look into it?"

"What, do you think I don't feed you?"

"That's not just your doing, right? How about this: the shampoo commercial you just dropped. What do you think about a re-contract?"

Hong Hye-yeon immediately grumbled.

"Ah, the marketing director there is a bit of a weirdo."

"I'll push for a re-contract with the condition of removing that director. Call?"

"Ah, what kind of agency representative acts on their own?"

"Because the artist is so full of spunk."

Hong Hye-yeon, who had hit the representative's shoulder, stuck out her tongue.

"Alright. But really, will you definitely remove that director?"

"Okay, then explain now."

"What?"

Choi Sung-geun, who had already done the mental calculations, pushed up his glasses and smiled.

"Why are you suddenly interested in 'Detective Agency'? Don't give me the excuse about PD Song or Director Shin Dong-chun. It won't work. Tell me something concrete."

"......Huh."

Hong Hye-yeon, who had swept her long hair back, slightly pouted.

"There's a kid named Kang Woo-jin."

"Who? A new boyfriend?"

"Are you crazy? Where do I have a boyfriend! He's an actor, an actor."

"An actor? I've never heard of him. Tell me more."

Then, Hong Hye-yeon began to unfold the story she had kept hidden until now. From the moment she met the unique Kang Woo-jin to the present. Interestingly, as she spoke, Choi Sung-geun's face showed a look of shock.

After about 10 minutes.

"Done?"

Hong Hye-yeon had finished telling the whole story, and Choi Sung-geun, scratching his tied-back hair, let out a faint exclamation.

"PD Song and writer Park Eun-mi went that far for that kid, Kang Woo-jin? No, what could writer Park, who even top actors struggle with, be missing?"

"It's not about the level. They are people who are crazy about making films."

"......That's true, but it's quite interesting."

To Choi Sung-geun, the representative of an entertainment company, PD Song Man-woo and writer Park Eun-mi were like huge mountains. Or rather, most people in the industry would see them that way.

That's why Choi Sung-geun became even more curious about Kang Woo-jin.

"His filmography from the start... it's unique."

"He's self-taught in acting and might have been overseas. According to PD Song, he must have had a tough time."

"Overseas? Hmm- Well, if such a talented person was in a theater, I would have definitely heard about it."

Choi Sung-geun, who had pondered, looked at Hong Hye-yeon and smiled.

"So, you're interested in Kang Woo-jin's acting. Not so much in 'Detective Agency' itself."

"No, that's not it!!"

"Where are you trying to sell me something? You haven't even read the 'Detective Agency' script, have you?"

"......"

At this moment.

"Brother."

Hong Hye-yeon, who had been glaring at the representative sitting next to her, suddenly changed the subject.

"How much money do we have?"

"Suddenly? What kind of conversation is this?"

"Are we in a good position? If not, I'd like to prepare. Isn't preparation half the battle? It's strange for a newcomer to receive a signing bonus, but since he's already a bit strange, it's fine. And, you need to get back into the field as a manager. You need to be right there, taking care of him."

"Hey, you don't mean to-"

The representative, frowning, was shouted at by Hong Hye-yeon as an investor.

"Ah, 100% he'll be snatched up right after the script reading."

Thursday morning, April 20th. Near Ori Station, a movie theater.

It was around 9 a.m. The theater was very empty, probably because it was an early morning showing. Among the waiting sofas, Kang Woo-jin was sitting alone, wearing a long padded jacket and a hat.

Why was Kang Woo-jin alone in the theater at this time?

The answer was simple. He had recently become an actor and had developed an interest in various content. Therefore, this was the first time Woo-jin had gone to see a movie alone, and even at an early morning showing.

Anyway.

-Swoosh.

Woo-jin, waiting for the movie, was looking down at his phone.

"It was the Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival, right?"

Holding his phone, Woo-jin searched for something. In fact, he had searched for the same thing after meeting Director Shin Dong-chun the day before. However, he felt like checking it more thoroughly since he had some free time.

"The most prestigious award ceremony in the short film market—largest in scale and highest in credibility."

Woo-jin, checking the search results for the 'Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival,' recalled the conversation with Director Shin Dong-chun, who had come to see him early in the morning the day before.

It started with Director Shin Dong-chun, whose eyes were red.

He was asking Kang Woo-jin to play the lead role in 'Detective Agency.'

"Please take the lead role, Kim Ryu-jin, in 'Detective Agency.'"

At this moment, Woo-jin was slightly dazed. After all, a man who had been on the verge of tears suddenly asked him to play the lead role. Therefore, Woo-jin remained silent, and Director Shin Dong-chun continued his explanation.

"Actually, 'Detective Agency' is not a film for the general public. It's a film for the festival."

"A film festival?"

"Yes. The 'Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival.' In the world of commercial films, it's like the Blue Dragon or the Baeksang. In the world of short films, the 'Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival' is considered the best. It has a long tradition and will be held in mid-April, two months from now. I'm aiming for it, but the situation is a bit urgent."

"......"

"It's almost as well-known as the Blue Dragon among filmmakers, and almost no one doesn't know about it. Of course, I assume you know about it, Mr. Woo-jin."

No, not at all. It was a festival he had never heard of before. However, Woo-jin maintained a serious expression and nodded.

"Yes, I know a bit."

"As you know, the judges for the 'Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival' are top directors in the country. New directors who win awards at this festival have a smooth path ahead. Many of the top directors, including the grandmasters who judge the festival, are also graduates of the 'Mise-en-Scène Film Festival.'"

Woo-jin understood it as a kind of audition show for the film industry. After all, many top stars today started from such shows.

At this point, Director Shin Dong-chun's expression darkened slightly.

"But the competition is fierce. Over 600 works are submitted each year. Good short films flood in. Making it to the top 40 is like winning the lottery."

"It's a war."

"Yes, exactly. It's a battlefield for directors who make films. It's a gateway for new directors. Top actors and industry figures also participate, and if you win the grand prize, you become a popular new director."

Although Director Shin Dong-chun didn't mention it, many actors have also become famous through this festival. Short films are often remade into commercial films.

However, if there are no good works, the grand prize is not awarded.

The festival has a history of over 20 years, but only 10 works have won the grand prize. Therefore, winning the grand prize at the 'Mise-en-Scène Short Film Festival' brings fame in the industry. However, it is still a niche festival unknown to many.

"The evaluation criteria are very strict. It's natural since grandmaster directors are the judges. The script, direction, and acting of the actors are all evaluated. Among these, direction and acting are the most important."

Even a cursory understanding showed it was a crazy challenge. At least, from Kang Woo-jin's perspective. It was like trying to pass through a narrow needle's eye. Woo-jin thought it would be better to deal with a client's dozens of rejections in design.

'This is a prestigious film festival.'

At this point, Director Shin Dong-chun, with his red eyes wide open, said:

"Actually, the production situation of 'Detective Agency' is not good."

He summarized the entire history of the short film 'Detective Agency.'

Later.

"But now, none of that matters. I will scrap everything, including the film company, the investment, and the actors. I will start from scratch, with Mr. Kang Woo-jin as the standard. Please take the role of Kim Ryu-jin."

"......"

No, to reset everything? Is this because of me? The situation is getting bigger. Despite his poker face, Woo-jin tried to dissuade him. The square-jawed director was currently too excited.

"Director, you don't need to go to such lengths."

"It's not a burden!"

However, it had the opposite effect. Director Shin Dong-chun, encouraged by Woo-jin's attempt to dissuade him, became even more determined. His adrenaline was surging.

"This is something I must do. I will bear all the inconveniences. Don't worry, I will bring it back to the starting point. Please, Mr. Woo-jin, I only ask for your acting."

"Ah."

"Please take the role of Kim Ryu-jin. A character needs an actor who loves and is attached to it to come to life. Let's run together, Mr. Woo-jin."

It was too much. Director Shin Dong-chun's adrenaline was overflowing. Just a moment ago, he had been on the verge of tears. Because he was so stubborn, Kang Woo-jin felt it was impossible to dissuade him.

Well, does it matter?

The situation had escalated more than expected, but in any case, Woo-jin had achieved his initial goal. Whether it was the film festival, the grand prize, or anything else, he just needed to act.

Kang Woo-jin, who had come to a reasonable conclusion, extended his hand to Director Shin Dong-chun, whose eyes were gleaming. Quite coolly.

"I'll do my best, Director."

Up to this point.

Kang Woo-jin, recalling this situation, returned to the reality of the movie theater and immediately checked the time.

"Ah, it's about time."

It was time to move. The movie was about to start. Soon, as Woo-jin moved to the screening room.

"Hmm- but."

Suddenly, thinking about 'Detective Agency,' he muttered.

"Is the actor Park Jung-hyuk, who was originally cast as the lead, a bit of a pain? I might get a bit annoyed."

"Well, it's not my problem, but."

A few hours later, in Nonhyeon-dong, GGO Entertainment.

It was early lunchtime. In the office of the large GGO Entertainment, a sudden shout echoed in the representative's room, which had various plants placed around it.

"What?!! They're dissing us?!"

The person who shouted was the representative of GGO Entertainment, Seo Goo-sub. He was short and had a bulldog-like face. He shouted again at the male employee standing in front of him.

"No, what kind of dog-like talk is this!! You said everything was going smoothly until yesterday!"

The employee, intimidated by his shout, managed to respond.

"......T, that. I just received the call. The Blue Vision Film Company also made a decision this morning."

"What?!!"

"They want to reset everything that Director 'Detective Agency' was working on. They are also cutting ties with Blue Vision Film Company."

It meant that the entire project had been scrapped, all because of one word from the director of 'Detective Agency.' In other words, GGO Entertainment had been flatly rejected by Director Shin Dong-chun.

Seo Goo-sub, with a bulldog-like face, gritted his teeth.

"How dare you... diss me. Diss GGO Entertainment?"

Seo Goo-sub was more angry that he and GGO Entertainment had been