Chapter 56. Cottage Trip

- Is Blue Chip Ryu Yeon-woo the lead in veteran director Park Chan-hong's film "Master Plan"?

- An unimaginable chemistry between Ryu Yeon-woo and Ma Seok-do in "Master Plan."

- Ryu Yeon-woo and Han So-hyun to film back-to-back projects after "Summer Wardrobe."

After going to see a musical and unexpectedly running into someone, Yeon-woo returned home, feeling so tired that he fell asleep right away. The next morning, he woke up and checked the articles that had flooded in since the previous evening.

"Ah, it was announced yesterday."

Yeon-woo read through the comments.

- LOvE(jj131***): Wow... He debuted last year and is already the lead in a Park Chan-hong film? Does he have connections?

└ ZayonDi(cha07***): He's good-looking.

└ Suin(suin4***): The production budget is huge; they wouldn't pick a lead just because of connections. Anyway, trolls.

- Esstre(wag010***): Crazy. How will I wait until it opens?

└ JH(afsq***): I'm already crying from waiting. Will there be any teasers in between?

└ Jammae(prett***): Unlike dramas, movies usually don't have that. Sigh.

While checking the comments, Yeon-woo received a call from Min-soo and stretched before getting ready to go out.

"Oh, right, I didn't get to see any of the musical last night."

Thinking about last night, Yeon-woo shook his head, got dressed, and went down to the parking lot.

Yeon-woo got into Min-soo's car, which was waiting for him.

"Good morning."

"Hello, Min-soo."

Min-soo, starting the car, said:

"You've barely had a month off since your last project, and you're not taking a break."

"Ah, you like taking on new projects too, Min-soo."

"Ha ha ha."

Min-soo, who dislikes sitting in the office, laughed, having been hit right where it hurts.

They soon arrived at the LN Corporation building.

When they went up to the third-floor meeting room, Team Leader Jung-hyuk, who had helped Yeon-woo get the lead role in "Master Plan," was sitting there.

"Ah, Actor Ryu. It's been a while."

"Yes, Team Leader Jung, how have you been?"

Team Leader Jung shook hands with Yeon-woo and greeted him.

"Nothing much. It feels like just yesterday we did the auditions for 'Master Plan,' and now it's already wrapped. Time flies as you get older."

After some small talk, they sat down, and Team Leader Jung presented several scripts to Yeon-woo.

"Do you have a preferred genre? Actually, the company recommends waiting until 'Master Plan' opens and your fee increases before taking on a new project."

In other words, although "Master Plan" hasn't opened yet, with the recent flood of articles, Ryu Yeon-woo's value has risen, but his fee hasn't, making him a preferred choice for all producers.

Ignoring the complex logic, Yeon-woo, who had never taken a break in his previous life, found it harder to just sit around and do nothing and simply wanted to get back to work.

"Genre... I'm more interested in stories or characters that draw me in. I'll take a look at them slowly."

Team Leader Jung nodded, saying he would be in the office downstairs and to call if Yeon-woo had any questions, then left.

Yeon-woo read through the scripts prepared by Team Leader Jung.

Not all scripts get produced, but the ones recommended here are mostly at a stage where they have been coordinated with broadcasters or production companies.

'Hmm.'

After a while, one script caught Yeon-woo's eye.

"Beyond the River, a Star"

"It means 'a star beyond the river'... It's a period drama."

Yeon-woo, now habitually stroking his chin, got absorbed in the script.

'The material is interesting.'

The story is about Seo Hee, a shining star in Goryeo history, who, when the Liao Dynasty's Xiao Sunning led a large army across the Yalu River to invade, entered the enemy camp alone and, through diplomatic success, turned the Liao army around and even received the Six Prefectures of the Jiangdong region as a gift.

A material that has never been covered in visual media despite its significant achievements.

Perhaps because, apart from his diplomatic success, there were no notable conflicts, making it difficult to adapt into a drama.

"It's a trendy faction period drama with romance... I've never considered a period drama before."

Upon reviewing the script, it turned out to be a pure creation by writer Kim Jin-ju, focusing more on Seo Hee's young love and growth rather than his famous anecdotes.

While reading through the development, Yeon-woo's hand paused at the last page.

Without hesitation, Yeon-woo took out his smartphone.

Team Leader Jung-hyuk, who received the call, came up, and Yeon-woo handed him the script.

"Hmm, 'Beyond the River, a Star,' you say."

He pulled out a notebook from his pocket and looked it up.

"Ah, here it is. It's a period drama being produced by KBC Channel 1, and it sounds quite interesting."

Team Leader Jung continued, looking through his notebook.

"KBC's period dramas have traditionally focused on orthodox historical dramas, so they've been struggling with ratings recently. This is a bold attempt to create a new type of period drama with a young, romantic, and fusion feel."

Yeon-woo nodded, listening to Team Leader Jung's explanation.

"I found the story of Seo Hee intriguing."

"Indeed. Seo Hee..."

In his previous life, as an agent, Yeon-woo often entered countries as a diplomat, and he frequently interacted with embassy and foreign ministry officials. The job of an 'agent' is essentially a 'dark diplomat.'

Who wouldn't name Seo Hee as the best diplomat in Korea?

For example, a statue of Seo Hee stands at the National Diplomatic Academy.

Seeing Team Leader Jung nodding while skimming through the script, Yeon-woo continued.

"And the way it reaches the ending is interesting."

"The way it reaches the ending?"

Team Leader Jung, hearing Yeon-woo's words, skimmed through the latter part of the script.

The story begins with the early part where Seo Hee and his close friend Lee Ji-baek both fall in love with Hong Eun, a female student under the same teacher, while studying together in their youth. The middle part covers Seo Hee's growth as a diplomat.

The latter part shows Lee Ji-baek, who has crossed over to the Song Dynasty as an envoy, gathering information, and together with his wife Hong Eun and Seo Hee, they meticulously analyze the international situation of the time and devise a perfect diplomatic strategy to persuade the royal court and ministers.

The drama ends with Seo Hee riding a single horse, kicking up dust as he gallops alone into the enemy camp where a massive Liao army is stationed.

"Wow. Since everyone knows the story of Seo Hee's diplomatic success, which is even in textbooks, they've chosen to end it this way. It's quite fresh."

Yeon-woo nodded, listening to Team Leader Jung.

"So, I really want to do this project, Team Leader Jung."

"Given the current situation, KBC will probably welcome you with open arms. I'll make contact and let you know."

Yeon-woo thanked the always helpful Team Leader Jung and left.

Min-soo, who had been playing a mobile game in the waiting room, approached.

"Are you done with your schedule, Actor?"

"Yes, you could have come in and seen it too."

Min-soo, scratching the back of his head and laughing, replied to Yeon-woo.

"What would I have seen? Ha ha. I get claustrophobic in the office."

Kim Min-soo really hates the office.

"Then, are you going back to your place, Actor?"

"Yes."

Yeon-woo nodded at Min-soo's words and they headed to the parking lot.

As they got into the car and were about to head to the residence, Yeon-woo's smartphone rang.

'Already contacted KBC?'

Pulling it out of his pocket, he saw 'Woo Sung-shik' on the screen.

"Ah, Sung-shik."

- Yeon-woo! You busy lately?

Sung-shik, as soon as the call connected, immediately asked about the matter.

"Not really. The filming is over, and I'm on a break."

- Oh! We're done with the semester too. Let's go out and play. With Jun-soo and Yoo-ri.

"Out? Where?"

- It's summer, let's go to a cottage! I've prepared a private house considering the privacy of our celebrity.

"Hmm, sure. I'm fine with it."

'They must have gotten quite close while I was away, Jun-soo and Yoo-ri.'

Thinking about Jun-soo and Yoo-ri, Yeon-woo nodded, and Sung-shik's voice came through.

- But, since Yoo-ri is the only girl, it might be a bit awkward.

Hearing Sung-shik, Yeon-woo naturally thought of the time at the camping trip when he told Suyeon to go out with friends if she had the chance.

"Hmm, then should I bring one more person? I'll have to talk to her to see if she's coming."

- A girl? Who?

"A friend named Jung Suyeon. I met her during the filming of 'Spring Lovers.' She played the young Hae-ri."

- Hmm, who was that? I think I remember. Anyway, I welcome her. It'll be fun!

Sung-shik, excited, ended the call, and Yeon-woo called Suyeon.

- Hmm... I'm quite shy, but your friends seem nice.

"The kids are nice. And there's Yoo-ri, so it won't be too awkward."

- ...Okay, I'll go!

With the proactive Sung-shik checking with the group members, they booked the trip for two days later.

On the day of the trip, Yeon-woo picked up Suyeon in the morning and waited in front of his office apartment. Sung-shik, who had borrowed a minivan from somewhere, arrived.

Rattle—

Clunk—

The minivan's diesel engine roared as the door opened.

"Yeon-woo!"

Jun-soo and Yoo-ri, who were already in the car, greeted Yeon-woo, whom they hadn't seen in a while.

Sung-shik and Jun-soo had seen each other occasionally on their days off, but this was the first time for Yoo-ri since the premiere.

"It's been a while."

Yeon-woo smiled and got in, followed by Suyeon.

Suyeon, blushing, greeted everyone in a small voice.

"Hello..."

"Wow, wow!"

Fortunately, Yoo-ri, smiling warmly, sat Suyeon next to her and chatted away.

"Wow. I've seen all the web dramas Suyeon was in? At the premiere, you were so beautiful, I thought you were an angel..."

Was Yoo-ri trying to ease the tension, talking non-stop?

"Um, you can call me 'unnie.'"

Suyeon, blushing to her ears from Yoo-ri's direct praise, bowed her head deeply.

"Aww, so cute! I'll call you 'Suyeon' then."

Yoo-ri, clapping her hands, said she had a new actress sister.

Yeon-woo naturally sat next to Jun-soo in the back seat.

"Is Yoo-ri usually this friendly?"

"Ah, Yoo-ri is a senior now."

At Jun-soo's answer, Yoo-ri's face popped up from the front seat.

"Hey, Kim Jun-soo. Don't say weird things about my favorite celebrity!"

"Hey, what did I say?"

Jun-soo, shrugging his shoulders, looked at Yoo-ri.

Watching the two bicker cutely and innocently, Yeon-woo asked Yoo-ri.

"Then, who is your favorite celebrity?"

"Hmm, let's see? Jin Yoo-han?"

A fellow actor of the same age who won an excellence award at the Korean Arts Awards, beating out Son Jin-wook.

Yeon-woo nodded at Yoo-ri's answer.

"I've seen a few of his works; he's a great actor."

Hearing this, Suyeon, sitting next to Yoo-ri, spoke up.

"Yoo-han was always called a prodigy among child actors. He prepared every scene perfectly."

And she added softly,

"...But I think Yeon-woo is better."