Chapter 42

Today, there are two updates, and the next one is being written...

"Director Li Zhong, hello, I am Choi Min-woo from Showbox." A middle-aged man in a suit, holding two cups of coffee, walked into the office.

"Hello, President Choi." Li Zhong took the coffee and said to the middle-aged man.

Showbox Distribution Company was established in 2002. From the beginning, the group owned MegaboxCineplex, the largest cinema in South Korea, and On*Media, the largest cable TV operator in South Korea. It has produced and distributed many excellent films. In recent years, it has been competing with CJ Entertainment for the top spot in distribution.

Choi Min-woo is a co-founder of Showbox and the current president. Choi Min-woo is extremely capable and has led the company on the right path since its inception, making Showbox increasingly successful in recent years.

"President Choi, I came here to discuss the distribution of my independent film," Li Zhong said straightforwardly.

"I've heard about your situation, and I was surprised by Liu Xiuli's actions. However, why should I distribute a film that has already been rated for viewers 18 and older, especially during this Spring Festival period?" Choi Min-woo said calmly.

"Ah, President Choi, I want to tell you that I reshot some scenes and did some re-editing, so it needs to be re-rated. I estimate it will be rated for viewers 19 and older," Li Zhong took a sip of coffee.

"Rated for viewers 19 and older?" Choi Min-woo was somewhat surprised.

"Yes, because I came here to discuss my film with you, I had Master Kim Min-sun edit the film. However, I brought the first version for you to see," Li Zhong took out the film reel and handed it to Choi Min-woo.

"Are you sure I will be interested?" Choi Min-woo looked at Li Zhong with a hint of amusement.

"Ha ha, if there's a chance to hit CJ Entertainment and Liu Xiuli, I think Showbox wouldn't pass up this opportunity, right?" Li Zhong took another sip of coffee.

"Are you that confident?" Choi Min-woo asked.

"Still, take a look. You might like it. The new edited version is even better," Li Zhong said calmly.

Choi Min-woo made a call, and soon a young man came in. "Take this film to Director Li in the distribution department and have him give me the rating form as soon as possible."

For the next two hours, Li Zhong and Choi Min-woo discussed many other matters, and they seemed to get along well on the surface.

"Why did you decide to make such a film?" Choi Min-woo asked.

"Before my military service, I saw the murder case of Liu Yongzhe. After my service, I continued to follow the progress of the trial. As more details were revealed, I felt that the public should know something about human nature," Li Zhong said.

As he was speaking, the young man knocked and entered, handing a file to Choi Min-woo. Choi Min-woo opened the file, which stated that with the current rating and editing, if the promotional budget was less than 500 million won, the expected box office would be around 2 million. If the rating was restricted and the editing was even better, with the same promotion, the box office would be around 1.5 million. Overall, it was worth distributing.

Choi Min-woo looked at the report thoughtfully. In his mind, as long as it could hit CJ Entertainment, he didn't really care about Li Zhong's film. However, he was somewhat reluctant to give Li Zhong the Spring Festival slot, which was a prime time for box office success. If they could have a film by a big director, it would be very beneficial for the company.

"Ah, Director Li Zhong, can we wait until your final edit is ready before we discuss this further?" Choi Min-woo finally decided to give Li Zhong a chance. As long as the final edit passed, he would give him the slot.

"Sure, wait a moment, I'll make a call." Li Zhong checked the time and estimated that Kim Min-sun's side should be almost done, so he called Zhang Xun. Li Zhong had already thought that he might need to bring out the final edit, so he had Zhang Xun wait there.

Half an hour later, Zhang Xun rushed in with the newly edited film reel. Everyone went to the screening room to watch it. This time, the treatment was much better. President Choi Min-woo, Director Li from the distribution department, Director Ma from the production department, and even a company shareholder, Director Zhang, were all present.

Since this was the first time Li Zhong saw this edited version, he watched it very carefully from beginning to end, thinking about the differences between himself and Kim Min-sun. Kim Min-sun made full use of the atmosphere, making the film exceptionally coherent. Because of the additional scenes Li Zhong shot, each climax was very engaging, making it hard for the audience to stop watching. Even if it was rated for viewers 18 and older, the plot would still draw the audience to the cinema.

"Alright, I think this film is good, the box office won't be low!" Showbox's shareholder, Director Zhang, said. Director Li from the distribution department was also very satisfied with this version. The previous version had a good plot, but the editing was a bit rough, and the plot was somewhat obscure. If they followed this version, the box office should be decent.

Choi Min-woo was glad he didn't reject Li Zhong's request; otherwise, he would have missed such a good film. "Director Li Zhong, let's discuss the box office split," Choi Min-woo led Li Zhong back to the office.

"Our distribution usually takes 5% of the box office, but for your film to be released during the Spring Festival, I need to increase the split. And for screenings in Showbox's theaters, I also need to increase the split," Choi Min-woo stated his requirements.

"Ah, how much do you want?" Li Zhong knew that for a new director like him to get this slot, he would have to make some sacrifices.

"I want 8% for distribution and 65% for the film," Choi Min-woo said.

"No way," Li Zhong said without hesitation.

"Normally, distribution is 5%, I'll give you 7%. For screenings in Showbox's theaters, I'll give you 63%, making it 70%. For other theaters, I'll give you 61%. If you can negotiate a lower rate, I won't interfere. The cost of selling copies is mine, and I require a promotional budget of at least 600 million won, which we will split 50-50," Li Zhong stated his terms, which were also his bottom line.

Choi Min-woo thought about it; this result was not bad. If he pushed too hard, Li Zhong might turn to another distribution company. After all, there were more than just CJ and Showbox in South Korea, and they would still get the lion's share.

"Deal, but what about the film rating?" Choi Min-woo estimated that the film would still be rated for viewers 18 and older.

"Let's market it as a film for viewers 19 and older," Li Zhong was still quite aware.

"When do you plan to release it?" Choi Min-woo asked again, as this involved the promotion.

"Ah, of course, the sooner the better. My idea is to miss the Spring Festival and release it afterward, giving us a month for promotion," Li Zhong had already decided on the release date.

"I plan to have a thrilling Valentine's Day. What do you think?" Li Zhong looked at Choi Min-woo and smiled.

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