episode_0018
by fnovelpia“Keu-haaa…!”
Director Park Joon, he gulped down the wine like soju.
It was behavior that didn’t suit a fancy restaurant at all, but no one pointed it out. The worries that floated across his face were exceedingly deep.
“…Oh my, if I knew it would be like this, we should have gone to a raw fish restaurant? I think you need soju instead of wine.”
Seo Yeon-ju continued speaking with a worried look.
“Don’t drink too much. It tastes sweet, but the alcohol content is really high. Your head will definitely be pounding the next day.”
Park Joon shook his head.
“I’d rather be physically ill. It’s torture to only have my heart crumbling like this. It’s so hard to bear.”
“You should think about not being sick either way.”
It was then that Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Seon-il’s eyes met.
“…”
The two nodded at the same time. Perhaps, the emotions that the two felt at this moment were definitely the same.
“If Director Park is having a hard time, we don’t feel good either.”
The movie that brought Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Seon-il to their current status was none other than Director Park Joon’s work. At that time, their positions were completely different.
Park Joon, who had a strong influence, was in a position to lead the two budding actors, but now it was the opposite.
Writer Lee Geum-suk also closed her laptop for a moment.
“Did you get a burnout? I can vouch for you. Director Park is a really great director. Don’t feel self-conscious. But…”
She trailed off. There was a big difference between PD Choi Hee-won, Writer Lee Geum-suk, and Director Park…
“…Well, what Director Park wants is quite different from what the public wants. It’s because the direction isn’t right.”
The reason why Special Task Force 808 hadn’t been produced all this time.
No matter how much the desire to produce it soared, Lee Geum-suk and Choi Hee-won stubbornly suppressed it. They relentlessly pursued only popularity, and they knew when to give up if they couldn’t get that estimate.
But Park Joon was a person with an artistic spirit who stubbornly pushed forward. It’s impossible to say which is the right answer, but it wasn’t good for getting chosen by the public.
Park Joon merely clicked his tongue bitterly.
“How’s Special Task Force 808 going? Is it going well?”
“It couldn’t be going any smoother. Writer Lee says she’s happy even though her wrist hurts. It’s understandable. The script that hadn’t made any progress until now is finally taking shape.”
At Choi Hee-won PD’s words, Park Joon nodded silently.
“Well, I saw the article. The staff all gathered in an instant too, right? I was so envious of how many people were eager to make this project.”
“Isn’t it a drama that has remained a desire for many people involved? Now that the opportunity to unravel it has come, everyone has no choice but to flock to it.”
“More than that.”
At that moment, Kim Seon-il, who was wiping the tableware, spoke.
“There’s no need to ask about us. What on earth is making you so difficult? I need to hear it.”
“My current project… ‘Geom’ (Sword), I mean…”
Park Joon took a gulp of wine and then said.
“Writer Lee is right. I know myself that I’m a director who can’t compromise with popularity. So I changed my goal.”
“Your goal?”
“What else could it be? An award.”
Park Joon’s voice as he continued to speak was quite dark.
“Awards aren’t given in order of box office success. It’s possible to win with artistry alone. So I put my heart and soul into it. I put all my energy into it, thinking that this project was my last…”
It was the backstory of the historical short film ‘Geom’ (Sword).
A head-on match between Park Joon’s artistic spirit and artistry. He wanted to confirm that the path he had been pursuing wasn’t wrong, and that’s why winning an award was even more urgent.
“Hmm?”
It was then that Seo Yeon-ju, who was listening, tilted her head.
“Director Park’s movie, isn’t it going smoothly right now? I think I saw an article saying you got a good investment?”
“It’s true that I got a huge investment. But even that article isn’t good. They put a leash on me in front of everyone.”
Seo Yeon-ju nodded as if she understood.
“Ah, you got investment from us, so don’t do anything silly? Well, investment articles are usually used for that purpose…”
“The investment is good, and I don’t care about having a leash on in front of everyone. But the problem is the condition! That damn condition!”
His mental distress was so severe that he was even tearing at his hair, so the doubts of those sitting around him couldn’t help but grow.
“…What’s the condition? Can I ask?”
“Yang Ha-rin.”
And finally, the three syllables that were spat out.
It was just a name, but invisible exclamation points immediately appeared above the heads of the people around him. Their faces showed that they immediately understood why Park Joon was so worried.
Those sitting around exchanged glances and said one word each.
“Yang Ha-rin-ssi…”
“Um, I think I already know what the condition is.”
“That’s annoying.”
“That would be very difficult.”
Park Joon nodded at all those reactions.
“To have a co-lead in the project. To find a new actor who can inspire Yang Ha-rin. I’m going crazy.” “You’re going to eat up another one? Are you insane.”
Seo Yeon-ju shook her head.
Growing up by using other actors as a touchstone? It sounds like a very good thing, but Yang Ha-rin’s case is different. That was the problem.
“That Yang Ha-rin, she persistently harasses the other person. She squeezes them like a washing machine to draw out even one more aspect, and only swallows the advantages herself…”
“That’s right. There aren’t just one or two newcomers who quit because of that. It’s good to improve your acting skills, but how can you sacrifice others?”
“Huum.”
PD Choi Hee-won crossed her arms and pondered.
“The situation is difficult. An article has already been published, so we can’t invest in it now.”
“Of course. Even if we somehow get this project, do you think even one person will show up to invest after this?”
Seo Yeon-ju actively agreed.
“If this was a normal project, I would have contacted a lot of my hoobaes. There are a lot of kids who are desperate to stand in front of the camera.”
“…No way. They’ll get a trauma.”
“I’m worried about that too, so I can’t easily do it. I’m worried that they’ll get a big internal injury if I have them act with Yang Ha-rin.”
It was then.
“Someone who’s a newcomer, and who Yang Ha-rin can’t devour.”
Kim Seon-il put down the tableware he had finished wiping and said.
“There’s one person.”
“…There’s a newcomer who can withstand Yang Ha-rin?”
While Park Joon was expressing a huge question, the people around him widened their eyes belatedly as if Kim Seon-il’s words were right.
“Ah, that’s right? Certainly…”
“Yes. That person seems like they can withstand Yang Ha-rin.”
Park Joon could only blink blankly.
“…Excuse me, there’s a newcomer like that? Who is it?”
“Who else could it be? It’s the guy who got the Kim Yu-han role.”
Writer Lee Geum-suk smiled slyly and said.
“It’s top secret, so I can’t tell you who it is.”
“Ah, of course. I know the situation, so I can’t ask you to tell me. I see. The actor who plays the role of Kim Yu-han… Huh?”
Park Joon couldn’t continue speaking.
It’s because he was suddenly so surprised.
“What did you just say? You said that a new actor took on the role of Kim Yu-han? Not just any role, but the role of Kim Yu-han?”
“Of course.”
“…You’re not teasing me, are you?”
But Park Joon soon couldn’t help but be even more surprised. No matter how he looked at it, their expressions weren’t lying.
“I can’t believe it… A newcomer snatched that role…”
“He’s an unpredictable person who’s hard to talk to, but that’s why he might be interested in Director Park’s work. Should I ask him indirectly once?”
It was a story that couldn’t help but be tempting.
But Park Joon shook his head again.
“It’s impossible from the start. My project needs a female actor for the co-lead role. If it’s the role of Kim Yu-han, it must be a man.”
“Um, there’s a certain reason for that…”
“No. Thank you for the words alone. There’s something I promised myself when I came here today. Let’s act with decorum. It’s enough to just complain, so let’s never get any support. So…”
*Tak.*
Park Joon put down the wine glass powerlessly.
“…I’m just going to scrap this project. I’m grateful for all the years I’ve spent eating on set. I’m retiring like this.”
A director who once made a name for himself mentioned a humble retirement.
Unexpectedly, it was a common occurrence in this industry. Sadly.
◈◈◈◈◈
One week later.
[Deer: Let’s play a game. Just three rounds ㄱㄱ]
[Monkeying: I’m a bit busy today]
[Deer: There’s no reason for you to be busy]
[Deer: Gaming, dramas, movies, posting on galleries are all you do]
[Monkeying: ㅇㅇ I’m busy because I’m doing all four]
From the morning, Monkeying was very busy.
Of course, it wasn’t busy for reasons that others could recognize as being solid.
*Tadadadak─!*
His fingertips tapped the keyboard without hesitation.
Gaming, movies, dramas… Monkeying loves entertainment more than anyone else, but there was something else he was scheduled to do today.
[Special Task Force 808 Gallery]
*A place to freely discuss and exchange information about the drama ‘Special Task Force 808′. Please leave various stories.
“Wow, it’s finally here.”
Articles have been pouring out recently, and finally, a community has been created to talk only about Special Task Force 808. Today, Monkeying plans to hang out here.
But first of all, he had to be surprised at the speed at which the posts were being uploaded. When he refreshed, almost a whole page was being pushed back.
“…Wow, why is it so crowded? Even number one in the real-time hottest gallery? Were there so many people looking forward to it?”
[Title: Main actors’ posters are up]
[(Photos of Seo Yeon-ju and Kim Seon-il)
Both of them look crazy good… How can you not watch this?
– Seo Yeon-ju in uniform euheheh
– Kim Seon-il, isn’t he a murderer instead of a police officer?
– Kim Seon-il’s eyes are so savage lol
[Title: Found out the identity of the Kim Yu-han actor lol]
[(A photo of pointing a gun at the monitor)
Hey guys.
I’ve been generous once.
What if this was a clickbait post? Huh?
What if it was a gruesome photo?
What if it was a disgusting photo.
Don’t click on posts recklessly from now on.]
– Don’t play pranks on desperate people
– Thank you, Daehyeop.
– I lived thanks to this, thank you.
[Title: (Serious) Guessing post about the Kim Yu-han actor]
[Hello everyone, I’m the hyung who always guessed the right answers in other drama galleries. Kim Yu-han is basically a genius detective, so─ (omitted) ─I think it might be these male actors.]
– This is ㄹㅇ creepy
– I pressed recommend without realizing it after reading
– It’s so plausible that it’s Jo Il-hyun lol
“Crazy, time flew by just skimming through the posts.”
Perhaps because there were so many people, all sorts of people gathered.
People who cheer, people who play pranks with clickbait, people who feel joy by deducing unknown facts…
Monkeying pondered for a moment, then just wrote one post.
[Title: Chicken recommendation please]
[I have to eat chicken on the day this airs]
He was serious. How could he bear it?
◈◈◈◈◈
Meanwhile, on the day of the short film ‘Geom’ (Sword) audition.
“Thank you for your hard work. We will contact you later.”
Director Park Joon escorted the actor who had just finished the audition, and immediately crossed them off the list with scissors. It meant rejection.
Then, a woman sitting next to him let out a delighted laugh.
“You’re surprisingly strict with the screening. I was worried about what to do if we argued about passing things that aren’t worth it.”
Like Park Joon, she was also crossing off the list in front of her. She was an actress who secured one of the leading roles in ‘Geom’ (Sword).
It was Yang Ha-rin.
Her dignity was the same as ever. Hair as black as the darkest hours before dawn and calmly sunken eyes. Even the atmosphere that seemed to freeze the surroundings.
Park Joon nodded.
“…Of course, I have to be thoroughly thorough with the screening. It’s to find an actor to stand with you, Ha-rin, and no one else.”
“Director Park has finally come to his senses. Gladly.”
Yang Ha-rin nodded with satisfaction, but Park Joon frowned with his head bowed. It’s because his heart was completely different from the outside.
‘I’m screening strictly for you? Bullshit.’
Today, a few people with pretty good acting skills showed their faces, but Park Joon crossed them all out and rejected them. It was with a heart that swallowed tears of blood.
The only reason was.
‘…No matter how much I want to complete my movie, I can’t do it in a way that sacrifices other people. Absolutely.’
Yes, that was the only reason.
Yang Ha-rin will surely harass the other actor in various ways. In an extremely selfish way, she will make it like an elixir only for herself and swallow it whole.
It can’t be done. I couldn’t watch that.
It was then that Yang Ha-rin stretched. Even in everyday movements, she never felt any gaps.
“There’s only one audition candidate left now.”
“Oh, uh oh? That’s right.”
Park Joon, who had escaped from his reverie, nodded quickly.
Yang Ha-rin meaningfully raised the corners of her mouth towards Park Joon.
“Lee Su-ah… That’s the name. Pray that this person is useful. Otherwise, Director Park’s movie will be scrapped. Despite all the effort you put into it.”
“That’s right. I can only hope that they’re great.”
Even as he said that, Park Joon’s heart was different.
A newcomer who can compare to Yang Ha-rin suddenly appears?
‘I don’t even hope for that anymore.’
It’s only going to fester in your heart if you have something that’s practically impossible. Park Joon chose a more realistic possibility instead. Now he just hopes that the movie will be scrapped.
It was then.
“Hello.”
A woman appeared through the open door.
As a director, Park Joon examined the other person’s appearance first.
‘Excellent proportions, and the overall curves will look really pretty when standing in front of the camera. Especially the legs. And the face is… Huh?’
Soon, he couldn’t help but be greatly surprised.
The face of the interviewee is more fierce and cold than he imagined. So much so that Yang Ha-rin, who was sitting next to him, seemed somewhat warm.
“…!”
Soon, he shook his head violently.
‘I’ve only looked at their face, but what am I thinking right now!’
For a moment, he repented himself. It was also a ritual to desperately shake off the hope he had unknowingly held.
It’s because he held hope just by looking at the other person’s appearance. A hope that maybe they’d be okay standing next to Yang Ha-rin.
Meanwhile, it seems that the interviewee’s appearance caught Yang Ha-rin’s eye.
Tilting her head, she stared intently at the interviewee. However, the subsequent development was something Park Joon didn’t expect. The interviewee never avoided Yang Ha-rin’s gaze either.
“…”
The two’s eye contact continued for quite a while.
Eventually, Yang Ha-rin brought one hand in front of her face. It was an action of waving it up and down as if she found it ridiculous.
“…You should open your eyes kindly. You must be surprised when you look in the mirror sometimes.”
A tone like the frost of the frozen ground.
It meant, “Your expression is so arrogant, fix it right now.” Yang Ha-rin expressed it in a slightly roundabout way.
But soon her expression turned blank.
“I admit it.”
That was all the answer that came back.
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