Translator: Dreamscribe
Men in suits, riding the elevator. Among them, Jae-ha's gaze settled on a man with thick eyebrows who looked to be in his mid-to-late forties.
From him, Jae-ha saw a 'Deja Vu'.
『A space that appeared to be a conference room. The thick-eyebrowed man was staring at a laptop screen. His expression was peculiar. Lighter than worry, softer than concern. Then someone entered the conference room.
"Director-nim! Congratulations on hitting 3 million viewers!"
The thick-eyebrowed man who'd been congratulated showed no reaction.
"What's the matter? Every article out there is raving about how Director Hong Man-seop struck gold! How can you sit there like that when you're the man of the hour?"
"It's great that our 'House of the Daytime Moon' set an industry first, sure. But... during mid-to-late production, when we ran short on investment funds and had to pull in Chinese capital, that still eats at me."
"Ah... right."
"And being forced to shoehorn in a Chinese character because of those bastards hounding us. If the investment from Leon's side had come through, none of that would've happened."』
The 'Deja Vu' ended there. Jae-ha's churning vision cleared, and he immediately texted Chan-hoo. That the next investment target after 'Condensation' had been decided.
The moment he finished sending the text, Jae-ha raised his gaze again.
The men in suits. No, more precisely, he was looking at the thick-eyebrowed man from the 'Deja Vu' just now. A stiff face.
'So that man is Director Hong Man-seop.'
His brain kicked into gear at once, parsing the key information from the 'Deja Vu' he'd just seen.
'Director Hong Man-seop, 3 million viewers, the title is 'House of the Daytime Moon', an industry first.'
A film? No, it couldn't be a typical film. There'd been a line about an "industry first". The film industry had already seen 3-million-viewer marks before. Then an art film, maybe? Or it could be a documentary or animation.
'Anyway, the work called 'House of the Daytime Moon' is currently in mid-to-late production.'
But they were short on production costs and needed to secure more investment funds. So they'd been looking everywhere, taking meetings left and right. That must be why they'd come to Leon, too. Jae-ha could have dug deeper using his access within the company, but.
'Why bother?'
He didn't seem inclined to. If word got out that he was suddenly asking around about 'House of the Daytime Moon', it could get annoying. Whatever the case, 'House of the Daytime Moon' would ultimately resolve its funding issues in the near future.
Chinese capital.
'So Chinese capital just happened to extend a hand at the right time.'
Or maybe the Chinese capital side had already made contact. Director Hong Man-seop had put it off, then had no choice but to accept it. Jae-ha thought it was a common enough story.
And he had good reason to think so.
Chinese capital had already permeated every corner of the domestic entertainment industry.
Films, dramas, variety shows, and more, Chinese capital could be found everywhere. It wasn't obvious at first glance, but dig a little deeper and Chinese money was behind a lot of it. There were even major entertainment companies whose largest shareholder was Chinese capital.
Typically, Chinese capital liked to grab a project and shake it around.
Director Hong Man-seop was no different.
'Ending up having to add a Chinese character on top of it all.'
Among investors, Chinese capital was especially heavy-handed. They were the type to try altering the entire flow of a project. Still, the work called 'House of the Daytime Moon' would achieve 3 million viewers regardless. In that case.
'If it weren't for Chinese capital, it could have done even better.'
Just then.
-Buzz.
A reply came from Chan-hoo, whom he'd texted. The gist was "Let's meet at 'MEG' tonight." Right about the time he was sending back an acknowledgment, the elevator arrived at the underground parking garage.
-Swish.
The suited men, including thick-eyebrowed Director Hong Man-seop, filed out one after another. Jae-ha stepped out behind them and smirked.
'If we time it right, our 'MEG' could be the savior.'
More precisely, it would be Jae-ha's money that played savior.
That same night, near Yangjae Station. The 'MEG' office.
It was quite late. Mornings and afternoons had gotten somewhat warm, but nights were apparently still cold; Jae-ha, wearing a short puffer jacket, pushed open the door to the 'MEG' office.
'MEG' had shaped up quite nicely at some point.
A CEO's desk, a six-person table, and more. It had been arranged to actually feel like an office. And Chan-hoo, dressed in a button-up shirt, had his two legs propped up on the CEO's desk. The moment he saw Jae-ha, he slid his legs down.
Jae-ha smiled and murmured.
"Why, keep them up. You're the CEO, what's it matter."
Narrow-eyed Chan-hoo responded without missing a beat.
"Nah, not in front of the Commander. How's a figurehead supposed to act like that in front of the real boss?"
Chan-hoo rose from the CEO's chair, dusted off the seat he'd been sitting in with a few pats, and offered it with both hands.
"Have a seat, commander."
"I'm fine."
As if to say it was unnecessary, Jae-ha pulled out a chair from the six-person table instead. Chan-hoo cleared his throat with a couple of coughs and took a seat across from him. He spoke first.
"So, where's the next investment target after 'Condensation'?"
Jae-ha pulled something from his jacket pocket. A yellow Post-it note. Writing was scrawled on it. He handed it to Chan-hoo.
"Dig around based on that director's name and the project title. I've got a rough idea of the current situation. Just gather some intel."
Chan-hoo read "Director Hong Man-seop" and "House of the Daytime Moon" off the Post-it and answered casually. Investigation was his specialty whether in another world or this one. He had 'Search', after all.
"Easy enough. But Commander."
"What."
"Are you rich, Commander?"
"What do you mean."
"I mean, the 'Condensation' investment alone is tens of millions, and now you're telling me to look into another one right away. I was just wondering if you were always loaded. You said you've only been a manager for four years."
"I've got enough not to stiff you on your salary."
Jae-ha crossed his legs and changed the subject.
"How's 'Condensation' looking?"
Chan-hoo's face turned serious in an instant, and his answer came fast.
"As I mentioned, the contract work between our 'MEG', Director Kwon Sung-min, and the production company 'Moonbak Film' is already done."
'Moonbak Film' was the production company handling 'Condensation'.
"Pre-production has been set in motion, and 'Moonbak Film' is assembling the crew. Director Kwon Sung-min is currently revising the storyboard."
"What about the first production meeting?"
"Tomorrow. I think the overall production details will more or less take shape there."
Jae-ha nodded and gave his instructions.
"Tell them to start with casting. But since it's a short film with a completely unknown director, there's a good chance the director or the production company will have to go around theaters and entertainment agencies themselves to find actors."
"Even then they'd barely scrape together a few. So, auditions?"
"Right. Auditions are the better format. Saves time too."
"Yes, Commander."
"Run the auditions first, and make sure Director Kwon Sung-min is the one personally selecting the actors. No exceptions."
Chan-hoo, sharp as ever, grinned knowingly.
"You're training him, aren't you? To act as the ultimate authority on set, the one with the final say."
"When decisions pile up, responsibility accumulates. Naturally, he'll have no choice but to commit fully. It's a small nudge of support."
"Well, it'd look bad if the director couldn't carry himself properly. On top of that, you're also locking down a talented rookie director early. Getting your hooks in now so you can reel him in later?"
"If someone's capable, I don't care whether they're a director or whatever."
Having pictured MEG's future for a moment, Jae-ha spoke again.
"And as for the 'Busan International Film Festival' angle, keep it to just you, Director Kwon Sung-min, and that production company CEO. Handle it quietly."
"You mean keep a lid on it and go public later?"
"Right."
And the next day.
The date was March 1st. Chan-hoo could be found in the meeting room of the production company 'Moonbak Film'. Three people had gathered. Chan-hoo, Director Kwon Sung-min, and Jeong Tae-woo, CEO of 'Moonbak Film'.
CEO Jeong Tae-woo, with his broad, flat face, distributed clear file folders as he began.
"The crew has been assembled. We'll finalize contracts within next week, gather the key staff, and hold the production meeting."
True to the reputation of a production company well-known in the short film and indie scene, their staff assembly had been fast.
"And after consulting with Director-nim, we've set the first round of investment funds at 50 million won. 'Condensation' will have a runtime of about 40 minutes. Estimated production period is three weeks to a month. But......Director-nim."
Director Kwon Sung-min, who had been listening attentively, pushed up his glasses and startled slightly.
"Yes??"
"Are you really planning to submit 'Condensation' to the 'Busan International Film Festival'? That place is basically the final boss. Maybe it'd be better to... set your sights a little lower?"
Director Kwon Sung-min glanced at the easygoing Chan-hoo, then shook his head. His eyes held a certain quiet resolve.
"No, it's fine. I've decided on the 'Busan International Film Festival'."
"...I see. Understood. We'll adjust accordingly on our end."
At this point, Chan-hoo, who had been silently listening the whole time, chimed in.
"About that 'Busan International Film Festival' thing."
"Yes?"
"Let's keep it between us until the cast is finalized."
"You mean keep it under wraps for now?"
"I'm saying let's not get ahead of ourselves."
"Hmm, understood."
Director Kwon Sung-min, who'd been briefed by Chan-hoo beforehand, followed up.
"I'd like to cast through auditions. Lead, supporting roles, bit parts, I want to pick them all myself. There aren't that many roles anyway."
CEO Jeong Tae-woo of 'Moonbak Film' nodded immediately.
"Auditions are definitely the way to go. But considering it's already a short film, and on top of that, we're keeping the 'Busan International Film Festival' under wraps, whether we send word out to agencies or post an open call, the number of audition applicants is going to be very small."
"That's fine. We just have to adapt to the situation."
"Understood. We'll do our best to bring in as many applicants as possible."
CEO Jeong Tae-woo, mentally running calculations, let out a low hum.
"Hmm, in that case... including pre-production, crank-up (end of filming) would be early April. Three weeks for editing. Submission to the 'Busan International Film Festival' in mid-May. That's the schedule we're looking at. That's extremely tight."
The 'Busan International Film Festival' organizers hadn't announced a firm date yet, but speculation was pointing to late June this year. Which meant 'Condensation' had precious little room to breathe.
"I'll lock down the audition schedule as fast as possible. It needs to happen within this week."
Not even the smallest problem could be allowed to occur.
Morning of March 2nd. Leon Entertainment.
The location was the New Business Team Director's office inside Leon Entertainment. A familiar face sat alone. A long chin. Director Kim Chul-joong. His eyes still brimming with hunger and ambition.
That man.
"Hhhh... hoo."
He was deep in thought, letting out a long exhale, when a knock came and several people entered the director's office. Director Kim Chul-joong sprang to his feet, a smile instantly plastered on.
"Come in, come in! You directors are looking great!"
The group that entered were directors. The first, second, and third place winners of the "Short Story Contest" organized by the New Business Team. The same directors whose screenplays Jae-ha had once described as "complete garbage".
Regardless, once the directors were seated at the meeting table, Director Kim Chul-joong barked at them with full-throttle energy.
"So, directors! Are you ready to make some real waves at the 'Busan International Film Festival'?!"
Production had already begun on all three winning projects. Director Kim Chul-joong had called the directors in to pump up their morale before serious filming got underway.
"Our CEO-nim has high expectations. Really high."
Now that word had reached CEO Han Tae-sung's ears, they absolutely had to at least set foot on the 'Busan International Film Festival' stage.
"For actors, just pick whoever you want from our Leon Rookie Development Team, haha. I'll pull some strings!"
Their meeting ran about an hour, and after the directors left, Director Kim Chul-joong wiped the smile clean off his face.
-Swish.
Director Kim Chul-joong sat motionless in his chair, wheels turning in his head.
Had about five minutes passed like that?
Then, something clicked into place for Director Kim Chul-joong.
"Burning down Team 4..."
The corner of his mouth curled upward.
"Right. I can use Yoon Da-yeon."
In truth, what he'd been scheming about all this time was finding a way to destroy Management Team 4, that perpetual eyesore stuffed with nothing but washed-up has-beens and nobodies.
'Team 4 is already on the CEO's bad side.'
And the one thing CEO Han Tae-sung despised most was 'cheap stunts.'
'Toss that Yoon Da-yeon into the erotic film circuit, and once rumors get out that she received an erotic film offer... the CEO won't just sit on his hands.'
With a little fanning of the flames over negligent management, Team 4 would be deleted. Director Kim Chul-joong then picked up his phone. He dialed someone.
"Hey, hey! President Park! Long time no see!"
One of his money connections.
"Haha, it's nothing really, I just wanted to make a little proposal. What kind of proposal? I'm looking to recommend an actress for one of your erotic films."
Director Kim Chul-joong's sly smile deepened, and his voice dropped low.
"Yeah, how about Yoon Da-yeon? That's right, that Yoon Da-yeon. You think I'm joking? I'm dead serious. Tonight? Sure, let's meet there then. We'll hash out the details in person."
It never once crossed Director Kim Chul-joong's mind that someone might be listening to this call.
Meanwhile, Management Team 4.
Jae-ha was yawning and staring at his laptop. He was deep in the middle of a search. About Director Hong Man-seop and 'House of the Daytime Moon', as seen in his 'Deja Vu'. He was searching everywhere, from regular search engines to Leon Entertainment's internal database.
On the off chance he might turn up some useful information.
About five minutes in.
-Buzz, buuuzz.
Jae-ha's phone, sitting beside his laptop, let out a long vibration. The caller was Chan-hoo. Without much thought, Jae-ha pressed the phone to his ear.
"Yeah, go ahead."
"Commander."
On the other end, Chan-hoo's voice carried.
"I used 'Search' to take a look at Director Kim Chul-joong."
A faint but unmistakable note of intrigue.
"He's talking about Yoon Da-yeon. Something about erotic films."
Erotic films? Scattered pieces snapped into place in an instant. Jae-ha smirked and answered lightly.
"Figured he'd start making moves soon enough. Well, let's put him on a leash."
*****
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