episode_0062

A wide conference room. A huge TV hangs on the wall.

The screen is silently broadcasting the news.

In front of the police station, Director Kim Jun-ki, with his arms held, and a crowd of reporters swarming like beasts in front of him, were visible. Director Kim Jun-ki wore a mask and a hat pulled low, and kept his head down.

─Do you have anything to say!

─I will faithfully cooperate with the investigation. I am sorry to the victims. I will pay the price for my sins and make sure I never show my face again.

And immediately after.

*Pot!*

Someone turned off the TV. It was accompanied by a few short words.

“He’s practically dead. He can never come back from this.”

Then, those sitting around the round table nodded in unison as if in agreement. There were about ten people. They gathered today to discuss a very important matter.

The matter at hand is the progress of the ‘Busan International Short Film Festival’.

The chairman, who is the general manager, broke the silence first.

“Right now, the opening date is exactly one month away, right?”

“That’s right.”

“It’s too late. Push it forward by one week, and instead, give a little more leeway to the submission period. The key is for us to hold it as soon as possible. Everyone gets busy the moment we enter the second half of the year.”

Everyone nodded and wrote down what they heard.

“It seems like the period you mentioned is the most appropriate.”

One of the staff members nodded.

In his opinion, the chairman’s words made perfect sense. Whether it’s the audience or people involved, they will be very busy as soon as they enter the second half of the year, and that will naturally lead to not attending the film festival.

“That’s what I’m saying. Well, we don’t need to go over the small stuff, right?”

“Yes. It’s progressing well.”

“Is the set construction all done? We’re screening outdoors this time, right?”

Then, an employee sitting across from him opened his mouth.

“The stage and screen have already been installed, but we are still considering the chairs. Due to the nature of the film festival, people have to sit for a long time, and if they are too hard, quite a few people will leave in the middle.”

“Use the best ones possible. Don’t skimp on the money.”

“Yes. I understand.”

“Good. Then let’s do that… let me see….”

The chairman scratched his head as if troubled.

“…From now on, we need to discuss the film festival jury.”

The jury.

Although it was only four short characters, its influence was clear. A look of displeasure appeared simultaneously on the faces of the employees sitting around the round table.

One person carefully opened his mouth.

“Kim Jun-ki director was the only jury member confirmed, but unfortunately, such a thing happened… As a result, we have not received confirmation from anyone right now. Everyone seems to be watching.”

“I know, right. Of all people, something like that had to happen to Kim Jun-ki director.”

The chairman frowned and rubbed his chin.

All directors would hopefully feel the passion of the Busan International Short Film Festival and visit, but reality and expectations do not always match.

The world doesn’t only run on warmth.

This means that directors who have grown to a decent size and gained some fame need to have a reason to come all the way here.

Therefore, Kim Jun-ki was what they were trying to use as bait.

─Director Park, Director Kim Jun-ki is also coming…

─Director Lee, several people besides Director Kim are coming…

Yes, they were trying to recruit them by linking them together like that…

‘Of all things, Kim Jun-ki had to have an incident.’

Now, rather, the name Kim Jun-ki has become an obstacle.

The chairman clicked his tongue with a *tsuk* sound.

“We need to make a clear statement that we have cut ties with Director Kim Jun-ki.”

“I understand.”

“And we need to find a new big-name master…”

The deliberation didn’t last long.

The chairman soon thought of someone.

“Director Go Tae-min. I heard he’s making a new film on the theme of music. He probably hasn’t started working on it yet. In other words, this is probably the most free he’ll be. Try to relentlessly pester him.”

“We’ll promote Director Go Tae-min as the big-name master… How many proposals do we send out? How many jury members are we aiming for in total?”

“We need to fill at least ten. If we want to attract attention.”

“Then I will assume the more the merrier.”

*Tadadak─*

The employee in charge of recruiting jury members started typing busily on his laptop, and the chairman continued speaking.

“The set, the jury, these are just basic frameworks. You know that, right?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Good. Then, from now on, let’s discuss how we can attract as many people as possible. First of all, the invited guests.”

Then, an employee who caught the chairman’s gaze opened his mouth.

“There are no problems with inviting actors. However…”

“However?”

“Inviting overseas master directors. Are we really going to push for this?”

“We have to. Let’s try everything we can this year.”

“I understand. Which countries?”

“It doesn’t matter which countries. Send out proposals far and wide, and bring in anyone who accepts.”

Perhaps because there wasn’t much time left until the short film festival, the meeting progressed smoothly without any obstacles.

Like that, when the amount of memos that the employees had written down regarding the things that had been decided exceeded a whopping ten pages.

“Now, for the last and most important issue.”

The chairman wore a somewhat solemn expression.

“As you know, the Busan International Film Festival has two sections: one is just the film festival, and the other is our short film festival.”

“That’s right.”

“Even though they are grouped together, the difference between the two sections is serious. The short film festival receives so much less attention compared to the regular film festival.”

“That’s probably true. Because there is a widespread perception that short films are less high-class than regular films. And the fact that actors and directors tend to avoid short films once they reach a certain level also plays a role.”

“Right. The problem is that it is only recognized as a stepping stone.”

A tutorial that usually exists when you turn on a game.

Many people recognized short films as just that.

For directors and actors who are already at a high level, there really wasn’t any reason to make short films. It’s not a profitable business.

Why would I spend my time filming that when I could do something else and make much more money?

The chairman’s eyes flared as he crossed his arms.

“The higher-ups want us to revive the short film festival no matter what this time. How many times have I emphasized this? I told you to bring in one measure each from almost two weeks ago, right? Speak one by one in order.”

“…”

A moment of silence.

Then, the chairman once again threatened them.

“The higher-ups didn’t just issue orders. They also gave us a huge budget. So how comfortable are you guys? You only need to come up with ideas without worrying about money, right? What other environment is as good as this?”

After that, various methods were discussed.

“It would be good to advertise using MuTube.”

“Should we consider inviting idols once….”

“Chairman, what about increasing the number of awards?”

The chairman showed interest in the last comment.

“Increasing the number of awards, you say?”

“Yes. Actually, the only merit of short films is gaining recognition by winning awards, isn’t it?”

“That’s right.”

“But if there are too few awards, people won’t even feel motivated to participate, so I’m suggesting that we increase the award categories. We can add things like Best Actor or Special Award to add bait.”

“Hmm….”

The chairman crossed his arms and murmured to himself.

“If there are too many awards, the value of the award itself might drop a little? What are your thoughts on that?”

“Of course, I’ve thought of measures regarding that as well.”

The employee spoke playfully as if telling him not to worry.

“Measures?”

“Yes. We should set the premise that there may be no awards at all. We’re not forcibly giving out all those many awards. We’re only going to give them to high-value works.”

“…So we open up the possibility of winning awards a little more to use as bait, but that doesn’t mean we’re just giving out awards like candy? I like it.”

The chairman immediately agreed.

“Good. Let’s increase the award categories. Let’s push for this first, and it would be nice to have one more usable opinion.”

It was then.

“Chairman, is it okay if we just raise the level of interest somehow?”

There was someone who raised his hand and butted in.

It was an employee wearing glasses who had been silent all along.

“Why? Do you have a way to raise the level of interest?”

“Of course, I do. What’s trending these days?”

“Hmm….”

The chairman thought for a moment.

“Never mind. Never mind. I know what you’re trying to say.”

He soon frowned.

“Don’t even mention things like noise marketing. There aren’t just one or two events that have only built an unfavorable image after trying it haphazardly, are there? They all fell into the abyss.”

“It’s not that. It’s not that.”

“Not noise marketing? Then?”

“We’re going to use streamers or VTubers.”

The employee grinned.

The chairman’s expression, however, was lukewarm.

“…VTubers?”

“VTubers and streamers have quite a big influence among young people. In the first place, they are a generation that is closer to cell phones than to TV. These days, there are even more and more homes without TVs.”

“That’s true. My daughter only looks at her phone.”

“Yes. Streamers and VTubers are active mainly on cell phones. Let’s put an ad there. Whatever the result, we can be sure of exposure.”

“No, are VTubers… are they really that popular?”

The chairman still didn’t take away his lukewarm expression.

That’s because the guy, who had always been nodding off and had no strength in his eyes, was suddenly spewing passionately like a different person.

What should I say, I kind of want to beat him up.

‘If only he worked like that on a regular basis….’

In any case, the employee continued confidently.

“There are differences, but we should definitely give ads to the popular ones. If we give ads to the most popular guy, it will automatically spread to the VTuber viewers.”

“Alright, well, go ahead and proceed with that on your own.”

◈◈◈◈◈

Meanwhile, at the editing team for the short film ‘Sword’.

In a space where energy drink cans formed a Great Wall of China on the desk, and where it was no longer possible to stack them, so all sorts of trash was rolling around on the floor.

It was a landscape reminiscent of a landfill, but surprisingly, there were people staying and working in this kind of place. It was none other than Park Joon, the director of the short film ‘Sword’, and a couple of editors in charge.

*Tadadadak─*

*Tadadadak─*

Only the sound of the mouse and keyboard being tapped.

There is no conversation between them.

*Tadadadak─*

As if forgetting time, as if forgetting hunger, they only stare at the monitor with eyes that have grown darker. The editing program displayed on the screen is being touched almost every second without a break.

And several hours later.

They shut down two of the three computers.

*Deureureuk─!*

They moved their chairs and gathered in front of the computer that was still turned on. They weren’t working anymore.

However, now they were just appreciating what they had completed.

“…”

All three of them crossed their arms and said nothing.

And after a long time.

When the video finally finished playing.

“…”

They exchanged glances without a word.

Faces that had become haggard to the point where I wondered if they were the same colleagues I knew, but they had no difficulty reading each other’s emotions. It was something that all three of them strongly held.

“Finally….”

The three of them put their arms around each other, forming a circle.

Because the names of those emotions were pride and joy.

“We did it─!”

“Done! Done! Done! Done!”

“It’s finally over! It’s finally over!”

Short film ‘Sword’.

It was literally a sword. The sharply honed blade was finally ready to be wielded at the short film festival.

.

.

.

.

.

Meanwhile, in the editing room of the short film ‘Wind’.

“Hmm.”

Yang Ha-rin quietly sipped her coffee.

It was a completely contrasting scene to the editing room of ‘Sword’.

This place was spacious first of all, cleaner than anywhere else, and rather full of luxurious snacks and drinks. Moreover, all of the editing team were neat and tidy, with no signs of being worn out.

Director Jo Eui-shin and everyone else were waiting for Yang Ha-rin’s reaction after watching the edited version. Yang Ha-rin soon nodded.

“Yes. I think it’s been completed without any problems.”

“Hahaha!”

Director Jo Eui-shin finally grinned.

“It’s all thanks to Ha-rin’s excellent acting!”

“What are you talking about? Director Jo, you will win an award soon.”

“Of course! That’s how it should be!”

In Yang Ha-rin’s eyes, ‘Wind’ was very good.

It was a natural thing. In the first place, ‘Wind’ was a work designed solely for the purpose of winning awards. Accordingly, a huge budget was poured into it, despite it being a short film.

‘Director Jo has quite a wide network of contacts, I think.’

In addition, Director Jo Eui-shin, whom Yang Ha-rin knew, also had a fairly wide network of contacts. This means that there is no need to worry about being pushed out of the awards due to connections, at least.

After that, Yang Ha-rin left the editing room and got into the van.

On the way back to the CT Entertainment building. The CEO, who had been waiting inside the vehicle, asked with a face that couldn’t hide his curiosity.

“Ha-rin, did you have a good trip?”

“Yes.”

“How was it? Was it completed properly?”

“There were no problems. I think it will probably win an award.”

“Really?”

The CEO nodded with a satisfied face.

“That’s right. And this is information that I just obtained….”

The CEO immediately whispered something in Ha-rin’s ear.

Ha-rin twitched her eyebrows once.

“…Really? So she finally completed it?”

Yang Ha-rin smiled derisively.

The news that the short film ‘Sword’ had been completed.

It was something that would have bothered her normally, but now she was rather looking forward to it. That’s because ‘Wind’, which she had confirmed with her own eyes, was so excellent. Right now, she was confident that she could trample anyone.

“Lee Soo-ah….”

Yang Ha-rin repeated the name after a long time.

“Get trampled like a dog. How pathetically will you squirm?”

Muttering that, she fiddled with her cell phone and ego-surfed as a habit. Today, her community addiction was manifesting.

“…”

It wasn’t strange for Yang Ha-rin, who had an addiction, to explore even newly created galleries, but soon her expression became skewed.

That’s because she had discovered an unexpected gallery.

[Lee Soo-ah Gallery]

“…?”

What kind of gallery is this? It’s unpleasant just looking at the name.

Yang Ha-rin wrote a post without much thought. It’s anonymous anyway.

[Garbage gallery. Ridiculous gallery.]

*Tting─ Tting─*

But what’s this? As soon as she posted it, there were three comments.

Deer: ㅇㅈㅇㅈ LOLOLOL

Monkeying: ㄹㅇ ㅆㅇㅈ LOLOLOL

Black Bear: Good good LOLOLOL

“…?”

Yang Ha-rin tilted her head once again.

What are these animals? Is this a zoo gallery?

It was at the same time that she added this place to her favorites.

◈◈◈◈◈

At the same time, in Go Eun-bi’s one-room apartment.

“What?”

VTuber Sika-rin, ‘Deer’ in the group chat room, narrowed her eyebrows.

That’s because she had received a very unexpected email.

[This is the Busan International Short Film Festival Committee.]

▶ Hello. This is Jung Woo-young of the Marketing Team of the Busan International Short Film Festival Committee. With the festival, which will unfold in three weeks, ahead of us, we would like to propose an advertisement to NeoLive’s Sika-rin─

Go Eun-bi closed her eyes tightly and opened them.

Once, twice, three times….

Later, she blinked like crazy.

“…What? What is this?”

Go Eun-bi called a colleague right away.

The other person was the oldest *unnie* among the VTubers belonging to NeoLive. Since she probably knows the most about these things.

“*Unnie*, I just received some kind of email….”

“I know, I know. You received a promotional email for the short film festival, right?”

“Yeah. It says that NeoLive has already accepted it? What is this? You never consulted me about it?”

“Eun-bi, that’s because there’s no need to consult about this.”

“Huh?”

Eun-bi couldn’t understand those words.

“Why don’t you consult me? I don’t know how to do this! I’m not confident! Until now, the only ads we received were game ads.”

“Eun-bi, this is much easier than game ads.”

“This is easier? Why?”

“There’s no comparison. Think about it. All you have to do is sit still and watch the short films. You make money just by watching them with your viewers.”

“…Ah, is that so? No, is that really all there is to it?”

Since starting as a VTuber, Eun-bi had sometimes wondered.

Is it really okay to make money this easily? Is living in the world this easy? Why does labor exist?

“What’s wrong with it? It’s not like we asked for it, it was the other party who suggested it.”

“That’s true….”

Anyway, Eun-bi soon nodded.

There was no reason to refuse if it was a good opportunity.

At the same time, Eun-bi came up with about 500 remarks in her head to torment Soo-ah. Sometime when Soo-ah comes back after working hard, she is going to beat her up, saying that she easily made money.

Should I give her a little allowance if she cries…

Yes, that’s how I’m going to tame Soo-ah. *Uhaha*.

“Okay, *unnie*, then I’ll keep that in mind.”

Go Eun-bi’s expression turned slightly evil.

It was the moment that the film festival broadcast by NeoLive’s VTuber Sika-rin,

No, ‘Deer’, was confirmed.