Chapter 21

The image of the neighborhood uncle was how Li Jingming had previously characterized Jin C, but it was an exaggerated expression, a jest at Jin C's weary, bitter face and his unkempt attire. But today, those four words were not an exaggeration at all; they were spot on. This wasn't just a neighborhood uncle, but a nearly dead one. Have you seen those uncles who play mahjong all night and then come out to buy fried dough sticks in the morning during the summer? That's the one.

His hair was messy, his eyes dry, his gaze hazy, his face wrinkled, his stubble disheveled, and his pale, protruding lips—this was his face. He wore a white V-neck T-shirt, black shorts, and blue flip-flops that didn't fit him. What made Li Jingming unable to hold back his laughter was that even Jin C's leg hair gave off a sense of disorder. This was truly a man who was casual to the core.

"Ah, I didn't sleep well last night, really uncomfortable," Jin C said, casually waving his hand in response to Li Jingming and Li Zhiyan's bows, unable to resist yawning.

Li Jingming widened his eyes: "Big Yuan, you didn't just not sleep well, you didn't sleep at all, right?"

"Don't call me Big Yuan, it sounds so old-fashioned," Jin C's face clearly showed his dissatisfaction, implicitly admitting that he hadn't slept.

"Then should I call you C-bro?" Li Jingming asked.

"Just call me bro, you little guy," Jin C knew Li Jingming was deliberately teasing him.

In South Korea, the so-called upper-class people and ordinary people often mingled. Would people really avoid Yin Zhiyuan just because he was from an official family and the president's nephew? The few older brothers on "2 Days & 1 Night" still teased him, poked his forehead, and even tried to frame him. Although Li Jingming never considered himself superior, he couldn't control how others saw him. Jin C's playful interaction with him made him feel very relaxed. Jin C didn't know Li Jingming's background, only that he was quite wealthy. Even if he knew, with Jin C's character and status, he wouldn't care, at most he'd say, "Pfft..."

Li Jingming was deeply moved and respectful. This uncle hadn't even signed a contract with him and had no obligation to help him so much. He was doing all this purely out of love for "Confession," not just going through the motions but staying up all night to prepare. Jin C never said things like "I love music" or "I can't live without music," but his love for music was genuine.

"Have you read the script?" Jin C still cared about Li Zhiyan. In his plan, Li Jingming was just a bonus. The MV would focus on the female lead, which was why he insisted on finding a capable actress from the start.

Jin C's idea of Li Jingming appearing in the MV was simple: as the song's producer and singer, he should participate, and as the songwriter, he might have more emotional depth. Finding a female lead to bring Li Jingming into the story and let her portray the entire narrative was Jin C's first choice. Although he approved of Li Zhiyan's image, he wasn't very confident in her acting skills.

Jin C, a former film director, was very proficient in shooting. He had prepared everything in just one night. The MV's budget, given to him by Li Jingming during dinner the previous night, was 100 million won. This might not seem like much, but it was equivalent to the budget for two episodes of a regular Monday-Tuesday drama (excluding big names like Bae Yong-joon, who could command 200 million won per episode, or grand productions like "Jumong" with global locations). Korean dramas often cast newcomers, not because directors and writers were particularly bold or had a penchant for discovering talent, but because they couldn't afford more. For an MV, especially one without the need for a male or female lead, 100 million won was quite generous.

LAD was too small to shoot an MV, and building a studio was impractical. The three of them, along with the two assistants Jin C brought, got into his minivan and headed for MBC.

Li Jingming didn't contribute much; it was all thanks to Jin C's connections. Jin C was closest to MBC among the three major networks, having starred in several of their dramas and hosted radio programs. Although his relationship with KBS was improving, his connections at MBC were still strong.

Most production teams took a break during lunch, and Jin C and his team planned to use this hour to shoot the MV. If they didn't finish, they'd have to wait until dinner or the next day.

Li Jingming wasn't stingy, but he couldn't just walk in and say, "Everyone, help us shoot the MV, and I'll give you 1 million won each." That would be embarrassing. So they ordered food to bring to MBC as a small gesture.

MBC, the kingdom of dramas, also had many other programs. Li Jingming and his team were outside a small studio where a minor program was being recorded. Li Jingming looked around curiously; he didn't recognize anyone in the studio.

Jin C was talking to a man in a vest, his high school classmate and the PD of the program. It was a minor music and dance show, not MBC's forte, and it didn't attract big stars or popular artists. Everyone was just there to make a living, without the boisterous excitement of popular shows, creating a warm, supportive atmosphere.

The Dream Center, the name itself held so much meaning.

After Jin C had his first clear idea last night, he called the PD to arrange the use of the studio. Jin C chatted with the PD, waiting for the program segment to end. When the PD gave the signal, the clapperboard was struck, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Thanks to Jin C's connections, the break was a bit earlier, giving them more time to shoot the MV. By tradition, they had to say goodbye to the staff before leaving, so the PD used a megaphone to ask everyone to stay and help with a small favor—someone was treating them to a meal.

Everyone got excited. Li Jingming didn't understand why Koreans viewed being treated to a meal so differently from other countries. Even a cup of water or a piece of candy was considered a treat, perhaps a result of the frugality and resourcefulness instilled by past scarcity.

There was nothing special, just jajangmyeon, which Li Jingming and Li Zhiyan personally served, greeting the seniors. Regardless of their good attitude, the bowl of jajangmyeon alone earned them warm smiles.

"Please enjoy your meal."

"Please eat well."

Li Jingming bowed dozens of times, and Li Zhiyan did the same.

"Jingming, come here," Jin C called when Li Jingming finished. "Come and meet PD Zheng."

"Hello, PD Zheng, please take care of me," Li Jingming bowed.

PD Zheng was very friendly: "Of course, since Big Yuan brought you."

PD Zheng, whose real name was Zheng Jinshik, was Jin C's classmate and friend, and they were teammates on the high school baseball team. He knew Jin C well—seemingly easy-going but actually decisive and self-centered. For Jin C to politely ask for his help with a newcomer meant he was serious. Despite his unassuming appearance, Jin C was from a wealthy family and had more influence in the agency than the president. Only talent and music could impress him. If Jin C recognized this young man's potential, there was no need to doubt it. This guy would surely make it big, and helping him now, even without expecting much in return, would give him a sense of accomplishment.

"Just because you're a few months older, don't act like my senior," Jin C teased.

At lunch, Li Jingming and Jin C also had jajangmyeon, while Li Zhiyan, on a diet, only ate some fruit. After eating, everyone got busy.

The final script was based on Jin C's idea from dinner. Li Jingming played a young PD at a radio station, and Li Zhiyan played a new intern, and they had a tragic love story.

No extras were needed; the program's staff played themselves, and the lighting and set were provided by the program. For a bowl of jajangmyeon, they got so much help, which Li Jingming considered a good deal.

Since it was summer, Li Jingming didn't wear a vest with many pockets but had a badge on his chest. He held a script and a small megaphone, standing there, he looked like a young, energetic PD, not only showing his professional characteristics but also the enthusiasm and ambition of a new PD.

Is he a professional actor?

Not only the people around him but even Jin C was surprised. Originally, he didn't plan to focus on the male lead, but he was impressed. He himself didn't have such good acting skills. This was a pleasant surprise.

Is Li Jingming a natural actor? No. Did he get some special system? No. Did he reach level 10 and unlock a talent? No. Did he read "An Actor Prepares"? Not yet. All of this was due to his past experience, where his job was to make others trust him, just like an actor needs to make others believe in the authenticity of their role. This was like Li Jingming being a veteran actor with over 20 years of experience (please be gentle with your comments). How could he not do well in such a simple role?

Li Zhiyan now felt immense pressure.

Li Zhiyan was already nervous about her role, and now it was time to start shooting. Jin C had nodded at her performance earlier, finding it acceptable. The role was a college student interning at a production company. If they had cast a more experienced actress, her acting would be solid, but the age and experience gap would make the performance too heavy. After considering all this, they chose her. But now, before even starting the scene, Li Zhiyan knew she was in for a tough day. Normally, if the male lead was good, she should be happy, but it wasn't that simple. It's like a duet; if both are inexperienced, they might be in sync and not look too bad. But if one is a master and the other a novice, the stark contrast would amplify every flaw.

"Action!" Jin C called, and the crew, who had just finished lunch, started moving around the set, looking busy, though it was more for digestion. Li Jingming watched the people move in front of him, moving himself, pretending to give directions and making arrangements. The scene was simple. On stage, three people in bear costumes were singing and dancing. They pretended to be busy shooting an MV, and Li Jingming was the director of this MV, though in reality, they were the stars of their own MV.

The camera turned to Li Zhiyan. She didn't need to show much acting; she played a college student intern, mostly standing and observing, making a few cute gestures. The role was similar to her real situation, so she did well.

Jin C stood behind the camera, satisfied with the first shot. Everything was going smoothly.

But a few seconds later, when the camera captured the wide shot, Jin C noticed something was off. One person in the shot was too eye-catching.