Chapter 44 of 100

Chapter 44

14 min read3,470 words

Today there are two updates, the next one will be around 12 o'clock.

Li Chong rested at home for three days, and then went early to pick up the rating form for "The Chaser." As expected, it was rated as restricted for viewers 19 years and older, but several people asked when it would be released, hoping to bring their friends to see it.

After leaving the Film Rating and Classification Board, Li Chong went directly to Showbox to sign the distribution contract and the special screening contract. Li Chong also paid the 300 million won for promotion. From now on, Showbox would officially promote the film "The Chaser." The posters had already been shot during the filming, so they just needed to be printed.

Just as Li Chong happily left Showbox, Liu Xiuli's call came in, "You little bastard, how dare you play me?" Liu Xiuli said angrily. It turned out that Liu Xiuli had just finished submitting the accounts for the previous fiscal year and inquired about the rating of "The Chaser" at the Film Rating and Classification Board. The news he received was that it was rated as restricted for viewers 19 years and older, which puzzled Liu Xiuli. Could it be the minor issues Li Chong mentioned?

Liu Xiuli called a board member of the committee, who told him that there were no problems with the rating of "The Chaser." All ten reviewers rated it as restricted for viewers 19 years and older. The board member also tactfully informed Liu Xiuli that the film contained some subtle social issues, which were very thought-provoking.

Under Liu Xiuli's persistent questioning, the board member revealed some details, which infuriated Liu Xiuli. This was a slap in the face, a naked slap in the face. This time, Li Chong not only offended Liu Xiuli but also Liu Xiubiao.

Liu Xiuli told Liu Xiubiao about the matter, and Liu Xiubiao was so angry that he smashed a crystal glass, determined to blacklist the film. However, when the Liu brothers learned that Showbox was distributing it, they knew they couldn't do anything.

"Hehe, President Liu, how did I play you? We didn't sign a contract. The price you offered was too low, so I found a higher one. Besides, since the rating is so high, I might as well make it a complete 19+ restricted film. Anyway, you would have to find someone to handle it, which is tiring. I did it myself, so don't pay me a salary!" Li Chong felt a wave of pleasure when he heard Liu Xiuli's angry voice.

"Wait and see, I'll make it impossible for you to survive in this industry." Liu Xiuli threatened.

"Hehe, okay, I'll wait. But before that, we can see how the legislator oppresses the people. Maybe the Supreme Prosecutors' Office will file a case!" Li Chong hung up the phone, not in the mood to listen to Liu Xiuli's rant. Liu Xiuli was smashing things in his office at CJ Entertainment.

Li Chong called Kim Yun-sik, Ha Jung-woo, and Seo Young-hee, telling them to cooperate with Showbox for the film's promotion. The promotion budget was 600 million won, and they planned to tour the country and have the premiere at Showbox's Megabox Cineplex.

"So fast? When do you plan to release it?" Kim Yun-sik asked.

"I've already chosen the date, February 14, 2008. Isn't that a good date?" Li Chong said on the phone.

"Release a restricted thriller on Valentine's Day?" Ha Jung-woo thought Li Chong was crazy.

"Hehe, no problem. If you have time, come and see the final cut of the film; it looks great!" Li Chong said with a smile.

"OK, I'll come when I'm free." Seo Young-hee was also busy at the end of the year.

Li Chong thought he should also visit Zhang Xun. When he found Zhang Xun at Kim Ki-duk's studio, Zhang Xun was still revising the script. "Brother Zhang Xun, how's it going? Is the script not finished yet?"

"No, I read it again and thought it could be more refined." Zhang Xun looked up.

"Where's Teacher Kim Ki-duk?" Li Chong hadn't seen Kim Ki-duk in a long time.

"Teacher Kim Ki-duk went to contact the crew. He plans to use his regular team." Zhang Xun handed the script to Li Chong. "Take a look at the script. I feel like something is missing."

"Sure, I'll take a look." Li Chong took the script and opened it. The title page read "Film is Film."

Li Chong continued reading. The script was about a hot-tempered, arrogant action star and a cold, ruthless gangster boss who team up to make a film.

"Hmm, this script is good. The idea is great. A film within a film, where the shooting process can be captured by external cameras and mixed in during editing, should produce a good effect." Li Chong thought the script was really good.

"Right, Teacher also approves of this format. He said we can shoot both internal and external scenes simultaneously. This requires a good assistant director, so I think you can do it." Zhang Xun poured two cups of coffee and handed one to Li Chong.

"Let me see. When do you plan to start filming? I'll check the schedule for Lee Hyori's MV to avoid a conflict. I don't want to be miserable." Li Chong took the coffee and said.

"Hehe, you decide... After all, you promised me..." Zhang Xun said with a smile.

"Got it, got it. Don't push me like I owe you money. I'm not like that... Besides, if 'The Chaser' is a hit, I'll be the one bringing in the box office, so you should be the one courting me, you know!" Li Chong said smugly.

"Right, did Liu Xiuli cause you any trouble? He should know about the film by now, right?" Zhang Xun suddenly remembered that today was the day Li Chong picked up the rating form.

"He called and ranted, but I deflected it. I've already signed the contract with Showbox, but the theater splits are really high, which makes me feel bad." Li Chong felt he could only get 30% of the box office, which was frustrating.

"Be content. As long as it's released, there's money to be made. Besides, there's overseas copyright, TV rights, and DVD sales, which are also significant. And the copyright for this film is yours, so the money will keep coming in." Zhang Xun was a bit envious of Li Chong. The guy was really daring, and someone really lent him so much money.

"Actually, I just thought of a big issue after signing the contract. I think you shouldn't make this mistake." Li Chong teased.

"What mistake? Tell me, I want to see if there's anything I missed." Zhang Xun was intrigued.

"Advertising!" Li Chong regretted not thinking of it earlier.

"Ah, product placement?" Zhang Xun realized he had missed something.

"Right, product placement. For example, clothes, malls, cars, restaurants, phones, and so on. You can place them in the film. And you can negotiate prices with them. If it weren't for the fact that my scenes are all at night, either on the street or at the police station, I would have placed ads everywhere." "The Chaser" really didn't have many opportunities for product placement, and he couldn't place ads for red-light districts.

"True, I need to look into this. Since my film is a modern one about celebrities, there are many opportunities for product placement." Zhang Xun was really tempted. If he could successfully negotiate advertising deals, it would save a significant portion of the budget.

---