Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 152

152

“Actor, is there room for our studio there?”

Director Shim Sung-bo’s blunt question.

Lee Min-ki flinched, as if he’d been caught off guard, then responded,

“A studio?”

“Yes, to be precise, Maiar Pictures.”

“……”

Director Shim Sung-bo calmly continued, addressing Lee Min-ki, who was blinking, clearly unsure how to respond.

“I’m not sure what form your label will take, but you mentioned planning to grow it into a media group encompassing creators from all kinds of media, right?”

“Well, that’s the plan……”

That’s indeed the plan.

There are no limits to creation, and if it falls within that category, he was willing to accept any field.

Painting, magic, and games, of course.

More broadly, even architects or chefs.

‘JC said that they don’t necessarily need to recruit only actors anyway.’

JC had only one request for Lee Min-ki.

[You have to be careful about who you accept.]

To be selective about people.

This was the price they demanded for helping with everything from sales to finance.

[Being the head of a group means you are responsible for that group, whether it’s good or bad. You can’t pretend you didn’t know in front of the public.]

In fact, it was practically a freebie.

Of course, the words were just an excuse.

There was actually another reason why JC was so openly generous.

[Hey, Jung-woo, the actor isn’t trying to start a company, is he?]

[I don’t think he’s that kind of person, but if he’s going to do something, it’s better to do it within JC than outside.]

You can’t stop someone who has their mind set on something.

So, it’s better for JC to fully support him and keep him as an internal label.

An actor like Lee Min-ki is worth keeping around.

That’s the calculation behind it all.

Anyway.

For now, it’s a social group.

It’s just that it’s a bit rootless… no, it’s a social group with a wide range of genres and a lot of potential.

But the members were still individuals.

That’s all he had thought about so far, but Director Shim Sung-bo nodded and continued.

“Are you also considering collaboration between members?”

“As long as it’s not forced.”

“If the entire studio, including Director Jin and myself, were to join, wouldn’t that be helpful no matter what we do? It would be quite a boost for the video side.”

This person was really serious.

That’s right.

Of course.

If a future powerhouse studio like Maiar Pictures joined my label, the brand value would be indescribable.

‘I was going to recruit people with just my name, but if Maiar is added to that…’

It’s an explosion.

What kind of chemical reaction would occur if I just made a light announcement in front of the public?

Creators from all fields are gathered, and there’s even a studio to bring them together.

How could anyone see this as just a social group?

Obviously.

They would suspect that I received a huge investment and started a business.

‘I would suspect it too.’

It seems like things are getting bigger.

The atmosphere is flowing in that direction.

If things go well, I might even win an Oscar [Academy Award].

Is that too much wishful thinking?

Anyway, Lee Min-ki swallowed hard and said.

“I look forward to working with you in the future.”

“The feeling is mutual.”

Director Shim Sung-bo looked at Director Jin Joo-yeon and winked.

At that, Director Jin Joo-yeon sighed and said.

“Again, again, trying to stick to the actor and freeload.”

“Hey! I’m trying to set the mood! Actor, that’s not my intention. It’s purely out of good intentions.”

“Yeah, right, how pure can you be? You’re a leech.”

“Joo-yeon! Hey! Actor, don’t misunderstand.”

I knew it was too serious.

Lee Min-ki finally chuckled.

“We have to launch it soon anyway, so let’s just do it before the premiere.”

No take-backs.

If we get too famous, Maiar Pictures might have second thoughts, so let’s just do it now.

As Lee Min-ki was about to say that, Director Shim Sung-bo muttered in an emotional voice.

“I’ll just follow whatever the actor wants. By the way, what will the name of this group? Crew? Be?”

“About the name. I’ve been thinking about it carefully.”

I was wondering why this wasn’t coming up.

Just as Lee Min-ki was about to answer.

Ring ring.

A sudden phone ring came from Director Jin Joo-yeon’s pocket.

“Oh?”

“Who is it?”

“Netplay.”

* * *

Netplay.

One of the three giants that currently dominate the global OTT [Over-the-Top, streaming media service] industry, and the leader among them.

There was one thing that this company had been greatly concerned about recently.

“Lee Min-ki, Lee Min-ki, Lee Min-ki……”

It was Lee Min-ki’s new work.

[Manman Fight], which he made with an unknown production company called Maiar Pictures.

“Is there something special about that work?”

Mitani Dylan, CCO (Chief Creative Officer) of Netplay’s US headquarters, muttered to himself.

Manman Fight.

Strictly speaking, from Netplay’s point of view, Manman Fight was just another mediocre work from a peripheral country called Korea.

Although it is a hot topic, Netplay has many such hot topics.

There are so many works that have invited world-renowned directors that they are a dime a dozen.

Hollywood stars are as common as candies on a supermarket shelf.

Although it has recently gained recognition even in the United States, it is still just a momentary meme [an idea, behavior, or style that spreads by means of imitation from person to person within a culture].

‘I know that the Korean film industry has potential. But even so, it hasn’t been particularly proven in the US market.’

As a result, [Manman Fight], as judged by Mitani Dylan, was not a work that could be called a highly anticipated work.

I don’t really want to give it any special events.

But why.

Why is that?

‘Why is AST trying to interfere so much with this movie?’

AST seemed to be overly conscious of the movie.

Even to the point of interfering with management.

It goes without saying, AST has used its huge capital to plant a small stake in almost every film company and production company.

‘But the principle was that they would only invest and not interfere much.’

That principle has been cracking recently.

Perhaps it’s a ploy to increase its power along with the success of the Odin Universe.

‘Even so, I can’t believe they’re asking to cancel the contract for a small work like Manman Fight.’

Even in such a rude way.

They say there are political correctness (PC) issues in the work, but that’s just an excuse.

Does it make sense to criticize the fact that not a single black or sexual minority actor or staff member was hired in the production process?

The background is Korea in the first place.

And how did they know the sexual orientation of Maiar Pictures employees?

“Hmm.”

It is well known that AST values political correctness, but they have never been so rude as to demand it from other companies.

Mitani Dylan groaned repeatedly.

‘I can refuse, but I’m worried about future conflicts.’

It’s the request of the major shareholder.

As a CCO who can be fired at any time if he wrongly offends the opinions of the shareholders, he is not happy.

Especially AST.

It would be a bit of a hassle if they played around with their shares.

‘Did they say they’ve already threatened the exhibitors?’

Mitani Dylan frowned at the situation that he couldn’t understand.

‘I heard that Emma Specter tried to cast Lee Min-ki but was rejected, is that why?’

That doesn’t make sense.

Even if AST is not a small company, how can they run a business if they get emotional about every small casting?

‘That doesn’t make sense. It’s a rumor. That’s it.’

Mitani Dylan chuckled and shook his head.

Unfortunately, that’s the answer.

Mitani Dylan deviated from the truth because he insisted on logical thinking.

He was just puffing away at his cigarette.

“Dylan.”

Someone called out to him.

At the somewhat friendly voice, Mitani Dylan smoothed the wrinkles on his forehead and said.

“Cushing.”

Harvey Cushing.

The person who serves as Netplay’s CFO (Chief Financial Officer).

He naturally walked to Mitani Dylan’s side and took out a cigar from his pocket.

“Is it expensive?”

“It’s precious.”

That’s how they were about to smoke in silence.

Mitani Dylan suddenly became curious.

‘What does Cushing think about this?’

He has an amazing sense of money.

Beyond simple inter-company relationships, what would it be like from a financial point of view?

From that point of view, Mitani Dylan opened his mouth.

“There’s one thing I want to ask you.”

“What is it?”

“About Emma Specter.”

“That psycho?”

About 10 minutes like that.

By the time the conversation, which was short if short and long if long, was over.

Mitani Dylan came to one conclusion.

“I’ll have to fight with the shareholders.”

Emma Specter.

Go eat shit.

* * *

“Netplay proposed a simultaneous theatrical release?”

Simultaneous theatrical release.

That’s what Netplay proposed.

“That doesn’t make sense. Why all of a sudden?”

Director Shim Sung-bo blinked, breathless with surprise.

“Netplay is a company that makes a living from exclusive works, so they’re going to release it in theaters?”

Lee Min-ki shook his head in response to his incredulous words.

“No, there have been times when they released works in theaters first.”

“Yes, as the actor said, there have been times. But.”

Just as Director Shim Sung-bo was about to finish his sentence, Director Jin Joo-yeon interjected.

“Those works were limited to highly anticipated works with big price tags, right? Maybe?”

That’s right.

Theatrical pre-release.

This was a privilege that Netplay only offered to some of its most anticipated works.

It’s an opportunity to go beyond online screening and enter offline [traditional movie theaters].

This work is worth seeing to this extent.

We are confident in the quality of the work, so if you want to see it in theaters and watch it for free, sign up for our OTT service.

Even if it means sacrificing some blood, we will suck the profitability of the work to the limit.

It was only proposed to works with that kind of destructive power.

‘To propose that to Manman Fight.’

I was grateful just for passing the screening.

Director Shim Sung-bo couldn’t close his gaping mouth at the unexpected counter-proposal.

But there was someone even more surprised than him in this place.

‘What the hell is going on?’

It was Lee Min-ki.

‘Manman Fight was a movie that was launched on OTT and went viral, but suddenly they’re changing their minds and pre-releasing it in theaters?’

How much is the future changing?

What’s about to happen?

Isn’t it like Netplay has declared that they will fully support [Manman Fight] from the beginning?

‘Does that make sense?’

What kind of thing is [Manman Fight], which he participated in, becoming?

While Lee Min-ki was blinking, Director Jin Joo-yeon opened her mouth.

“Hoo, hoo, you two are both surprised at something that’s not a big deal.”

You seem more surprised.

Director Jin Joo-yeon coughed in front of her bleary eyes and said.

“If we pre-release it in theaters, we’ll probably have to adjust the release date, so the launch date will change a bit.”

“Are you going to postpone it?”

“We’re going to get a lot of flak [criticism].”

“It’s the second delay, so probably.”

Director Jin Joo-yeon nodded.

“But the local press screening is coming up soon, so if things go well, we can raise expectations even further.”

“……Screening.”

Lee Min-ki slowly muttered as if savoring each syllable.

‘I don’t know what kind of change of heart Netplay had, but it’s clear that they value our work more.’

If so.

If that’s for sure.

Now is not the time to be afraid.

Lee Min-ki took a light breath and opened his mouth.

“I should open my mouth.”

When you want to take a step back, take two steps forward.

* * *

About two weeks had passed.

The public’s view of [Manman Fight] was quite cold.

[They’re postponing it twice.]

[Isn’t there something fishy?]

It was because of Manman Fight’s repeated postponement of its release in a short period of time.

[I joined Netplay to see Lee Min-ki, but I’m going to lose money.]

[Isn’t Lee Min-ki the culprit?]

[I bet that the actor, who just took off his rookie label, interfered with the production of the work and fought.]

The public sentiment cannot be good.

As much as expectations were high, the more it is postponed, the greater the backlash.

Moreover, the actor Lee Min-ki didn’t apologize or explain the situation.

[It’s a postponement to create the best work. It was a difficult decision, but I am confident that it will be the best work that will mark a milestone in my life as an actor, Lee Min-ki.]

He was still busy packaging the work.

He released a little more special footage as if to comfort them, but that alone was not enough to appease the public.

[Isn’t that overconfidence?]

[It smells like a scam.]

There are definitely people who support him, but the distrust of the actor Lee Min-ki is also growing.

In the meantime.

[LA Local ‘Fight for All for All’ Screening Reaction]

The local press screening was held.

Amid everyone’s half-doubtful expectations.

The critics’ first words were.

[The entertainment]

It was a bit meaningful.