Chapter 28

27. Accumulating Schedule

Tae-ju stopped by the company before heading to the busking filming location. When he entered the meeting room with Team Leader Woo, he found a contract for extending the Healing Interview appearance, an OST planning proposal, a photo shoot offer, and audition-related documents laid out in front of him.

"Wow, what are all these?"

"The extension contract, you know about that, right? You just need to confirm it. The director wants to compile the songs you perform in the busking and release them as an OST album."

"Director Jung?"

"Yes. He said it would be a waste not to."

Tae-ju thought about the OST album for a moment. The busking OST would undoubtedly be a remake album. In the film, Tae-ju performs and plays six songs.

"Then how many songs will I sing?"

"The director wants to include all six, but we think one or two would be enough."

"Most of the songs in the busking are remakes by other singers. I doubt people will want to hear them again."

Tae-ju wasn't particularly interested in this project. While independent films sometimes become successful and win international awards, or even get remade into commercial films, he didn't think that would happen with the busking.

Tae-ju chose the busking because it was a road movie, not for any other reason. He wanted to act as the protagonist who grows through the people he meets and the events he experiences on his journey to Busan.

"Hmm, is there any other reason?"

"There is, but I don't find it appealing to release an OST album that's just another remake."

"What other reason?"

"Actually, if we're releasing an OST, I'd prefer to release an album for 'Melody.'"

"Ah! 'Melody' is also a music film. It includes remakes and violin performances. That sounds great. Why don't you participate in both?"

"Really?"

"Let's do it. If both albums are produced, you'll participate in both. Actor Lee Tae-ju, these experiences will be valuable assets for you. No one will criticize you for participating in two OSTs. Just do it."

In the end, Tae-ju decided to participate in the OSTs for both films if they were produced.

The photo shoot was a very good opportunity for a new advertisement. It was for a high-end domestic brand suit.

"This photo shoot will be with Actor Jin-hyuk. Jin-hyuk has been the exclusive model for this brand for several years, and they plan to launch a sub-brand for the F/W season. This time, you will be the main model for the sub-brand."

"Great. I'm only in my first year, but to get such a good opportunity. I like it."

Tae-ju was pleased with the suit advertisement. Despite his young age, he had a taste for vintage things. He liked classic suits and owned a few of the ones Jin-hyuk advertised. Of course, that was before he returned. After living with Taesang, he couldn't go out in a suit, which he found disappointing.

"Ugh, this one starts in January next year."

"It's a semi-pre-production, 16-episode mini-series scheduled for March, airing on Monday and Tuesday."

"Wait. Let me see the synopsis first."

The synopsis was about a goblin warrior who falls in love with a human, refuses the king's call, and stays in the human world, only to be punished. Over time, the goblin warrior receives an order to return but refuses. He continues to linger around the reincarnation of his beloved, protecting her. Despite the passage of time, he still loves her.

The goblin king, who foresees a calamity in the human world, comes down to find the warrior, despite his refusal to return. However, the warrior can't adapt to the changed human world and causes all sorts of trouble. He stays at the goblin warrior's house, insisting on going back and causing trouble for the female lead.

Tae-ju received an audition offer for the role of the goblin king, described as a young, beautiful, and mysterious figure with boundless power.

"Great. This goblin king role. Thanks to this, my vacation is gone."

"You should see the audition first."

"This role is mine. I've already caught the director's eye."

Tae-ju wasn't being arrogant. The goblin king is set to be a beautiful young boy who has lived for hundreds of years. Among actors of the same age, no one could match Tae-ju in acting skills or appearance.

"Good. The role isn't large, but they said you'll appear in every episode from start to finish."

"Who will play the lead?"

"Joo Ji-hyun will likely play the male lead, and the female lead is still undecided."

"Joo Ji-hyun is fine. He can do action scenes. Being a model, he won't have much height difference with me."

Joo Ji-hyun, a former model, has mainly appeared in films in recent years. While he is often criticized for his lack of romantic chemistry, the goblin warrior has many action scenes, so it should be fine.

"I heard there were various issues at the busking filming location."

"Yes, fortunately, they were not related to the film itself, but there were many unfortunate events."

"From next week, you'll be filming in different regions, so be careful. Don't overlook small issues and consult us if anything bothers you. From the regional filming, Road Manager Choi Hyung-sik will join you."

"Road Manager? I think my current manager is enough."

Honestly, it was a waste to assign so many people to a newcomer like Tae-ju. He had a van, a dedicated coordinator, and two managers. With Team Leader Woo overseeing, it was four people, and he wasn't generating enough income to justify it.

"From next week, you'll be traveling between the regions and Seoul. You have a photo shoot, recording, Healing Interview filming, and media interviews will start soon."

"It's going to be busy."

"And this part requires your permission, Actor Lee Tae-ju. As you know, you're the only actor in Triz."

I don't understand why he's taking so long to get to the point. Usually, Team Leader Woo would just ask, "What do you think about this?" but this was strange.

"Recently, actors are often appearing on variety shows before their next film. You could spend a few weeks filming a variety show as a break. Our company's actors are also doing this. Some of them want to appear on variety shows, and we hope you will join them."

"Me?"

"Yes."

"I'm not good at variety shows. You saw my performance in 'Small Town Travel.'"

It was embarrassing to say that people liked his naive appearance. It was hard to say that his naivety was a charm point, especially when his looks didn't suggest it. Watching the footage, he seemed quite clumsy.

'He's so sharp when talking about acting, but how can he be so awkward in variety shows?'

"Then, please avoid comedy variety shows. It might be okay if you appear with senior actors."

"Is that okay? If you tell me what kind of variety show it is before the audition, I'll decide. But even if it's a senior actor's request, you don't have to do it if you don't want to. Please let me know if you're not comfortable."

"Sure, I will."

Tae-ju thought it would be better to appear as a supporting cast rather than floundering alone. As a supporting cast, he only needed to do what he was told, he thought. It was a naive judgment, easily seeing the mischievous intentions of middle-aged men who enjoy watching a young, handsome man flounder.

*

Knock knock knock.

"Come in."

A guest entered the meeting room where Team Leader Woo, Tae-ju, and Gyeon-woo were. It was Actor Kim Yun-seon, his manager, and the CEO.

"Meow."

Even Taesang came in. Several people entered the meeting room. Kim Yun-seon's manager looked around with a troubled expression, closed the door, and sat down.

"What's the matter?"

Kim Yun-seon answered Team Leader Woo's question by placing a book on the table.

"Ah! Maestro!"

When Tae-ju called Kim Yun-seon "Maestro," everyone looked at him. Kim Yun-seon smiled and nodded, while his manager facepalmed.

"I really liked the Maestro role."

"But, sir, you said 'Fair Trade' was your favorite until yesterday."

"No, now I really like this one."

"Oh! Sir!"

As rumored, Kim Yun-seon decided to participate in the filming of 'Melody' without considering the conditions, regardless of the surroundings.

Clap clap!

The CEO clapped lightly to change the atmosphere in the meeting room. He looked around and spoke.

"Since this is how it is, two of our company's actors will be in the film 'Melody.' We will adjust our support for 'Melody.'"

People held their breath, waiting for the CEO to continue.

"I plan to invest in 'Melody.' I will find a distributor and do my best to support our actors in the best environment for their work."

"CEO, investments should be discussed with the business support department."

"It's fine. I plan to invest personally."

"Personal investment?"

"Yes."

The CEO spoke firmly. I don't know what he's thinking, but thanks to him, I'm less worried about 'Melody.' Tae-ju was pleased that he only needed to focus on his role. Kim Yun-seon also seemed happy, nodding with a deep smile.

*

On the way to the filming location, Tae-ju asked Gyeon-woo about the CEO.

"Manager, can our CEO personally invest in 'Melody'? I'm glad 'Melody' is getting investment, but I don't want the CEO to lose money."

"It's fine. The CEO has a lot of money."

"Really?"

"Ha ha. Have you heard of Seonun Jechel?"

Tae-ju thought it was a company name he had heard before. He remembered it was a large company that also operated in the transportation industry.

"The CEO is the third son of Seonun Jechel."

"Really?"

"Simply put, he's a third-generation chaebol. He's not well-known because he works in an unrelated industry, but those who know, know."

"Wow, I never would have guessed."

The entertainment industry only recently became systematic. Before that, most places operated without proper contracts, relying on informal agreements. There were reasons why some places could write fair contracts and not just sign any actor.

"To avoid misunderstandings, I should say that the CEO didn't receive investment from Seonun when he founded Triz. He started it with the money he earned while studying in the U.S. He's a genius investor."

"Wow! I only saw him playing with Taesang every day, so I never would have guessed."

"Ha ha. The CEO used to keep a cat until his child was born. He can't keep a cat now because of the child."

The CEO often brought his cat to the office before his child was born. That's why Taesang always seemed so welcome. It seemed he was satisfying his cat-keeping urges.

"If Kim Yun-seon takes the Maestro role, it would be the best casting. Can we modify the contract to include a running guarantee?"

"Running guarantee?"

"Yes. I think this film will be a huge success. The director and script are excellent, and now with Kim Yun-seon joining."

"Understood. He won't refuse to modify the contract. Since the CEO is involved, we'll find a good distributor."

That was a relief. The busking filming was already a third of the way through, and he had to start filming 'Melody' in two months. Although the Maestro role changed suddenly, Kim