Chapter 13

In Cheongdam-dong, Lee Jong's new apartment, the entire living room had been cleared out, with only a large rectangular table placed in the middle, set up like a meeting room. Today was the first meeting of Lee Jong's studio. Lee Jong's studio was named after him, and he wanted everyone who looked down on him to know this name. People came one after another, and by ten in the morning, everyone had arrived.

Lee Jong cleared his throat, "Alright, everyone is here. Let me introduce the person next to me. This is Mr. Zhang Xun, the assistant director I've invited. Mr. Zhang Xun has always worked as an assistant director for Director Kim Ki-duk... He has a lot of experience. We are all new, so if there's anything you don't understand, please ask Mr. Zhang Xun for advice."

Zhang Xun stood up and bowed slightly, "I am Zhang Xun. We will be working together from now on. If you have any questions, please help each other."

"Next, I will distribute the script. Please take a look and let me know if there's anything that needs clarification." Lee Jong handed out the printed scripts to everyone.

Everyone was curious about Lee Jong's script. What kind of script would make Lee Jong risk everything he had? For a moment, the living room was silent.

Zhang Xun was also curious about the script, so he started reading it as soon as he got it. He first read the director's notes, then the main script, which was titled "The Chaser." The story was based on real events... Zhang Xun read through the entire script in one breath, marveling at why Lee Jong was so confident about making this movie. However, a good script was one thing; they also needed good actors. Zhang Xun looked around at everyone, and he was struck by how young they all were. Zhang Xun felt a bit nostalgic.

Half an hour passed, then an hour, then two hours. By this time, most people had finished reading the script. Lee Jong had already sent Jin Hyun-chang to buy lunch and read the script, and he could even fall asleep...

"Let's eat first. After we finish, we'll assign tasks." Lee Jong picked up a box of fast food and said.

At this point, everyone realized it was already afternoon, and they were all hungry... They wolfed down their lunch...

Lee Jong asked, "Does anyone have any thoughts?"

First, Gao Changjian spoke, "After reading the script, I noticed there are many night scenes and rain scenes. I need three cameras." "No problem, I'll assist you with the shooting," Lee Jong said.

Gao Changyang said, "There are many night scenes, so we need five high-power lights, four medium-power lights, twelve low-power lights, and five people to operate them." "Alright, you find these five people..."

"I already have a location for the shooting, and I guarantee the director will be satisfied," Jin Hyun-chang said... "Um... and the extras, you can help find them... You know the people," Lee Jong said jokingly, and everyone laughed. Then, everyone shared their thoughts and the equipment they needed, and Lee Jong agreed to everything. As time passed, it was already evening. Lee Jong kept Zhang Xun behind while the others started contacting people and equipment. Everyone had their own connections, and Lee Jong just needed to pay the rent.

"Mr. Zhang Xun, let's discuss the lead actor," Lee Jong said, as he had kept Zhang Xun behind to select the lead.

"Do you already have someone in mind?" Zhang Xun asked.

"Yes, I have someone. I think Kim Yun-seok, who played the antagonist in 'The Big Swindle' and won the Best Supporting Actor at the 2006 Blue Dragon Awards, would be perfect... I believe his acting is already quite mature. With a good role and some refinement, he could become the next Song Kang-ho..." Lee Jong felt.

"Kim Yun-seok... I can see that. His acting has matured, and he can play the role of the former detective Joon-ho," Zhang Xun thought.

"Right now, the main issue is finding actors for Jee Young-min and Mi-jin. If we can't find them, we'll have to hold auditions," Lee Jong said, sounding a bit troubled.

"Alright, you go talk to Kim Yun-seok, and I'll send out the audition notices. After all, no one will miss the chance to make a movie. I believe your script will move him," Zhang Xun thought. Although he already had someone in mind for Jee Young-min, he wanted to see if there were any other suitable candidates...

"Kim Yun-seok, there's a movie script inviting you to be the lead. Do you want to meet the director? There are some issues to discuss," Kim Yun-seok's young agent said to him.

"What issues? Has the script not been sent yet?" Kim Yun-seok frowned. After winning the Best Supporting Actor at the 2006 Blue Dragon Awards, many movies had approached him to play the lead, but the scripts were generally mediocre, and he hadn't made a decision yet. But this one wanted him to go in person?

"Yes, the director said you won't be disappointed if you go. However, this director is the one who was blacklisted by CJ Entertainment, Lee Jong, and he is now making an independent film," the agent said.

"Lee Jong? The director who was once called a genius PD?" Kim Yun-seok asked.

"Yes, that's him. He has scheduled a meeting at 6 PM at a Chinese restaurant. Do you want to go? I haven't replied to him yet."

Kim Yun-seok thought about what an old friend had told him a few days ago. The old friend, who was the head of a film company that had blacklisted Lee Jong, had a good relationship with Kim Yun-seok and had invited him to act in a movie, but the script was mediocre, so Kim Yun-seok had politely declined. However, he had praised Lee Jong's script highly.

"Go ahead and accept. I'll meet him. As for CJ Entertainment, they can't control us," Kim Yun-seok said.

Lee Jong finally changed the location for his meeting because he wanted to eat Chinese food. In fact, Lee Jong was a typical homebody and food lover, so every time he met someone, he chose a place where he could eat. Even if the meeting didn't go well, at least he could have a good meal. This time, the meeting was scheduled during mealtime, so Lee Jong had already ordered the dishes and was waiting for Kim Yun-seok.

At 6 PM, Kim Yun-seok arrived at the Chinese restaurant on time. "Hello, I'm Kim Yun-seok," he said to Lee Jong.

"Hello, Mr. Kim Yun-seok, I'm Lee Jong, the director of this movie," Lee Jong introduced himself as Kim Yun-seok entered.

"Ha ha, I've heard of you. Let's get to the point. My agent said you want me to act in your movie?" Kim Yun-seok said straightforwardly.

"Um, I've already ordered the food. Why don't we eat first?" Lee Jong looked at the table and swallowed.

"Let's look at the script first, then eat," Kim Yun-seok insisted. Reluctantly, Lee Jong handed the script to Kim Yun-seok.

Kim Yun-seok opened the script and was gradually drawn into the content. The story was simple but not complicated, and the plot was distinctly different from other crime movies. "The Chaser" revealed the murderer from the beginning but released him due to lack of evidence, making Joon-ho the only hero in the story. The entire movie deeply portrayed Korean society and human nature, capturing the audience's heart.

Time passed unnoticed. Just as Lee Jong was about to give in to his hunger, Kim Yun-seok spoke, "Director Lee Jong, which role do you want me to play? I see that the roles of Joon-ho and Jee Young-min are almost equal, making it a dual lead movie."

"Yes, it's a dual lead movie. I need both leads to give outstanding performances. I need their passion and their chemistry," Lee Jong said seriously.

"Which role do you think suits me better? Joon-ho or Jee Young-min?" Kim Yun-seok asked.

"Joon-ho, the hot-tempered former detective who now runs a massage parlor," Lee Jong said firmly.

"Alright, I accept!" Kim Yun-seok felt this role was important to him. He had a strong connection to it, and it would open a new door for him. He also looked forward to Lee Jong's directing skills.

"Um, you agree? Then let's eat?" Lee Jong's attention was clearly elsewhere.

"Sure..."

"Then I won't hold back,"... Watching Lee Jong wolf down his food, Kim Yun-seok felt he might have fallen into a trap...