Chapter 57

Villain Only Acting 057

For the Muse (2)

"Director Hwang's preemptive strike was a good thing. Now Seohoon's value has reached S-level. That's how this industry works. It's easy to rise, but hard to fall."

As soon as the alcohol wore off a bit, he reverted to his usual tone.

Kim Sanghee was genuinely delighted by the rise in Seohoon's value as if it were his own.

"Are you already discussing it?"

"Yes, a few places are just negotiating the terms. We just need to decide which one to go with."

"Is it cable or terrestrial?"

"I don't know. I plan to go with whichever offers more production budget. The time to debate cable or terrestrial is long gone."

The confidence of a star writer shone brightly.

Kim Sanghee seemed to be the type who didn't even know the words 'adversity' or 'hardship.'

"Until then, Seohoon, you should keep it off the record, got it?"

"Yes, I understand."

"If you use another actor as the lead, I won't talk to them anymore."

"Can I hear about the story?"

"I don't usually reveal everything at once."

"I'll drink a penalty and listen."

When Seohoon held the glass with both hands seriously, Kim Sanghee chuckled.

"Seohoon, I've never seen you this anxious. If Yoojeong finds out, she'll be jealous."

"Writer, I really am in a hurry."

"I'll tell you everything once it's confirmed. Until then, just be patient. The more anticipation builds, the more you'll have to unleash in your acting, right?"

Seohoon had to suppress his desperate longing for the camera.

"Alright. But once it's confirmed, tell me right away. I'm going crazy with curiosity."

"How can someone who hasn't watched a single drama in 20 years suddenly become so involved?"

After calming his burning thirst with a drink, Seohoon asked.

"But didn't you say you were only writing a 12-episode series? Is this one going to be 16 episodes?"

"Why do you think so?"

When Kim Sanghee looked at him with a meaningful smile, Seohoon cleared his throat.

"Are you trying to get me a better pay rate...?"

"That's just one minor reason. It won't be that noticeable."

"..."

"You know, why can't you say it? Are you embarrassed?"

It was hard for Seohoon to confess his thoughts in front of Kim Sanghee.

Kim Sanghee chuckled as if understanding and ordered a new drink from the bartender.

"I just felt it was a shame to only watch Seohoon for 12 episodes. I want to see him for longer, and there's a lot I want to express through him, so I decided to make it 16 episodes."

"Why do you usually plan 12 episodes when most dramas are 16?"

"Because the story gets too loose. I don't like that."

"..."

"I deliberately did a strict story diet to cut the flab and make it 12 episodes. Sales might drop, but production costs would decrease. But in the end, it's my own greed."

Kim Sanghee finished the new shot and took out his phone.

"Shall we call her now?"

"Who?"

"Yoojeong. She really wants to see you."

"Oh, Yoojeong."

"Why not call her?"

"No, it's fine to call her."

Kim Sanghee sent a message to Yoojeong and then looked at Seohoon with a determined gaze.

"Sanghee, I want you and Yoojeong to have a short but intense romance. And when you both get emotionally mired, or if you remain cool friends afterward, I want you to shake it off quickly and part ways magnificently."

"..."

"Why?"

"Then your acting will be even more refined. Of course, you're already perfect. It's also fun to watch from the sidelines."

Seohoon couldn't help but chuckle.

Song Jeongwoo, Kim Sanghee, and Hwang Injun—all those involved in production, planning, and directing seemed to have this side to them.

They were all different, yet surprisingly similar.

"I know you have bad tastes."

"I didn't think that."

"Anyway, keep it a secret from Yoojeong. But she won't be angry even if she finds out. That's just her nature."

"Are you calling her now because you want to set us up?"

"No, not really. It gets boring with just the two of us. It's better with more people. Plus, it's a treat for my eyes to have a handsome and beautiful couple together."

Kim Sanghee giggled.

Yoojeong arrived at the bar earlier than expected.

She wore a red sleeveless blouse that emphasized her slim waist and beige shorts.

As she sat down naturally with Seohoon in the middle, she said with a pout.

"Isn't that a bit much? You said you'd buy me a drink, but you didn't even spare me a moment of your time?"

"You know, I was quite busy."

"No matter how busy, a man would make time if his heart was moved. You didn't want to drink with me?"

"Of course not. I was really busy. That's the answer."

"I should have become a writer instead of an actor. Then I could have manipulated things."

Kim Sanghee burst out laughing silently.

By now, Kim Sanghee was sipping his drink quietly, looking at them deeply.

He looked like a teacher watching over a kindergarten couple's play, or an artist trying to squeeze inspiration from the fine print on a candy wrapper.

"Are you really 21?"

"Yes."

"I was so surprised when I heard that. I couldn't imagine it. Your tone and actions are so mature, I didn't think you were that young..."

Yoojeong sighed deeply.

"I need to take better care of my skin from now on..."

***

Seohoon's audience promise was fulfilled without any specific conditions, and the movie surpassed 13 million viewers.

Jung Suyeon didn't say much about it anymore.

"Thinking about it, it's kind of funny to make a promise when you're not even the lead. We could have aimed for 50 million if it was a sequel and you were the lead."

"You could still not do it. You said you can't do that because you're shy."

"Ah, my ears are already filled with pus. What should I do?"

"From the looks of it, it seems like your sister's sebum."

"Damn."

If they stretched the screenings a bit more, they could have reached 14 million.

But as talk of monopolizing screens for too long and the audience growth trend significantly declining, they decided to end the screenings.

On the last day, his mother brought his father for their 22nd viewing.

"Mom, isn't it too harsh for Dad, who doesn't find it very interesting?"

"No, I'm fine. Since I can't visit Korea often, I should at least enjoy it when I can. Luckily, I didn't cry except on the first day."

"Mom, you cried again? But there's no scene to cry about, why did you cry?"

"At that moment, I thought Chan would die at the end, and I couldn't help but cry. But I'm glad he's alive, so I won't cry anymore."

His mother gripped Seohoon's hand firmly and looked at him with a determined gaze.

"Chan, you must take revenge on Kim Sujin. Got it?"

"That depends on the script."

"What about the sequel? Will it be a definite revenge?"

"I don't know anything about it."

His mother turned to Jung Suyeon.

"By the way, Suyeon, how's Seohoon's agency situation?"

"Well, I was planning to meet and discuss the terms, but he suddenly got into the Sujeonggo. So it's been delayed."

"Since Seohoon's value has risen, can't you get better terms now?"

"I was thinking of aiming for a 9:1 split. But will he do CFs?"

"I don't think so."

"Fan meetings? Variety shows? Autograph sessions?"

"Do actors have to do those things?"

"Actors should. Unlike singers, who can earn money just by being popular and having events and music, actors need to work. When there's no acting, they should do CFs."

"Suyeon, aren't you supposed to take care of those things for him?"

"That's why we have an agency. But if he doesn't want to do them, there's no need to rush the contract, right?"

His father had already slipped away, and his mother said with a hint of frustration.

"Still, you need an agency for casting offers. Even if Sujeonggo's sequel is confirmed, it might take years. How about that drama you mentioned?"

"What?"

"What drama?"

His mother and Jung Suyeon looked at him with wide eyes.

"A while ago, I met Writer Kim Sanghee and had a drink. He said the next project is coming up soon, so I should prepare mentally."

"Wow. What about the pay? Did you hear anything? Ah, if it's still in planning, nothing might be decided yet."

"He said he'll ensure I get 150 million per episode. 2.4 billion for 16 episodes."

"Damn... No, how can such work just come to you while you're at home, breathing?"

His mother slapped Jung Suyeon's back.

"Is there anything you don't do? There's no one as diligent as your brother in this world."

"Frankly, he's not that diligent. He just enjoys life easily thanks to his genes."

"Your father and I worked hard to give you those genes. Seohoon doesn't have it easy either."

"Wow, this is what agape looks like? Then why did you have me like this?"

"Considering your face and your graduation from the Korean National University of Arts, I've done my part, you brat!"

Just then, the doorbell rang.

"Wait a moment. Tae-soo is here."

"Suyeon, you need to take care of the agency issue properly. Got it?"

"Sure, sure."

Manager Ha Tae-soo entered with a slightly flushed face and bowed to his mother.

"Seohoon, I don't know why I got this call... but it's about a CF offer."

"CF?"

His mother was delighted, and Jung Suyeon, intrigued, leaned in with crossed arms.

"What kind of CF?"

"Several. Some are a bit absurd, but mostly they seem good to me. I haven't made any judgments yet, just summarized the conditions."

Ha Tae-soo quickly showed the summary.

Seohoon glanced over it once and passed it to Jung Suyeon.

His mother leaned in closely to check it with them.

"Oh my, what's this? What's going on? A university promotional model?"

"It would be funny if the top student of Korea University promoted a local university. Is this a plot to kidnap and imprison me at Korea University?"

"There's a sports goods CF too. Suyeon, I like this one."

"Mom, it seems like a concept where I'd wield a baseball bat and act like a gang leader. No way. I'm against it."

The mother and daughter were excitedly scanning the CF offers.

They didn't even look at the amounts.

Just the fact that CF offers were coming in was a marvel and a joy.

"Don't you need to look more? Are you not interested?"

"No, I've memorized everything."

"Oh, right. You were the top student at Korea University, weren't you?"

Feeling a bit awkward, Ha Tae-soo trailed off.

"What do you think, Tae-soo? You've been in the entertainment industry the longest among us."

"A few seem good. The G Construction Group image model seems decent. The pay is good, and it won't damage your character image."

"I'll think about it."

"Or you could wait until after the new drama and then do CFs. By then, your CF value will rise even more. It feels a bit wasteful to do them now."

"I should raise Tae-soo's salary. He's handling team leader-level tasks."

"Hey, don't joke about that. Salary earners get excited and can't sleep."

***

KBC Drama Department.

Two men in their forties sat side by side, and Kim Sanghee sat opposite them, sipping coffee.

Director Yang Joon-gyu smiled and spoke.

"Writer Kim Sanghee, it's time to return to terrestrial broadcasting. We at KBC will do our best to welcome you. PD Jang Seung-won says your script is incredibly well-written."

"I'm not sure about 'well-written,' but I'm confident it's a Kim Sanghee-style work."

"Kim Sanghee-style work. Ha, just hearing that makes me excited and hopeful."

PD Jang Seung-won interjected with a slightly irritated voice.

"Director, this is really well-written. I have to direct this. If another station takes it, I might die of arrhythmia in my sleep."

"But I'm curious. Why did you choose us over your soulmate, Song Jeongwoo?"

"Ah, Director! Can Song Jeongwoo direct this script? Absolutely not, that guy can't."

Due to the fiery Jang Seung-won, Yang Joon-gyu felt like his stomach was churning.

Who didn't know this?

It was just a bluff to gain a slight advantage in negotiations.

'This kid is stabbing his own team. Damn, I'll just...'

Kim Sanghee put down his coffee cup and calmly said.

"I chose KBC because I believe they will produce my new work the best. PD Song Jeongwoo is incredibly talented, but I think PD Jang Seung-won is more suitable."

The moment Jang Seung-won's face lit up with joy and Yang Joon-gyu's eyes sparkled with pride.

"But KBC isn't the only option. If you don't want my work, I'll leave now. I want to show it to the world as soon as possible."

"No, no! Of course, we should produce it! I was just curious about why the Song-Kim duo suddenly split up!"

As Kim Sanghee tried to collect his script, Yang Joon-gyu quickly stood up and pressed it down firmly.

"Director, or brother, if we can't get this, I'll quit the company and follow Writer Kim to direct it."

"Writer! Please give us this work! We'll definitely do it!"

Yang Joon-gyu glared and held the script tightly.

Through the thick fingers gripping the script firmly, a bold title was visible.

-Insolence-