Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 187

187

A dramatic compromise was reached between Netplay and Mayar Pictures.

[We will promote in every possible country, in every way. Cost is no object.]

They wouldn’t suggest an investment amount.

Instead, they would ensure that as many people as possible would see [Turns Out He’s a Musical Genius] in any way possible. That was Netplay’s offer.

‘They know what we want.’

If they had asked for a stake in exchange for investment or proposed a buyout, they would have been immediately rejected.

It was a victory of approach.

But in a way, it was the natural course of things.

Why?

‘The attitude is definitely different from the theaters.’

Theaters had been stiff-necked even with Mayar Pictures, a new studio.

“Perhaps, from the perspective of the theaters, they didn’t feel the need to give us special treatment.”

“Director.”

“It’s a very proud group.”

Director Shim Sung-bo muttered.

“They didn’t value Mayar Pictures that highly. That’s all.”

It was the kind of remark that made you wonder if he was a little hurt. No, he actually was hurt.

Before accepting Netplay’s offer, Director Jin Ju-yeon had to drink the bitter cup several times while negotiating with the theaters.

“I grew up looking at the theaters, and I have a romantic idea about them… but I can’t stand the high-handed attitude of those higher-ups. It’s like they’re trying to brand you as the underdog.”

It was a common occurrence.

Movie producers cry out that the quality of the movie itself is important, but distributors have a slightly different point of view.

They boldly say that marketing is the flower of the movie.

Even in front of Mayar Pictures, which had achieved global success, they were full of people who wouldn’t budge even on the smallest details.

“I knew they would be high-handed with Director Hwang Ui-sung, so it was predictable, but I didn’t expect them to be so unwilling to give an inch. It was unexpected for us, too.”

He must have been holding a lot in.

He didn’t say it outwardly, but once the negotiations with Netplay were over, he seemed to relax. It was just as Director Shim Sung-bo was about to continue his grumbling.

“Well, I don’t know.”

Lee Min-ki tilted his head for a moment. He offered an unexpected opinion.

“It’s not that the theaters particularly disliked us. Wasn’t it an unavoidable choice for them?”

“An unavoidable choice?”

Director Shim Sung-bo raised an eyebrow.

Was he going to contradict him over just one complaint?

But Lee Min-ki, as he knew him, wasn’t the type to argue for the sake of arguing. There must be a reason.

“Well, you know.”

Just as that thought occurred to him, Lee Min-ki nodded slightly and opened his mouth.

“They say that new companies initially operate flexibly, but as the company grows, the rules become stricter, right? Salary tables, too. Even getting a document approved.”

“That’s… true, but.”

Honestly, he didn’t know.

They were close to being the representatives of the company, but they had never experienced the life of a typical office worker.

Still, he agreed for the moment.

“The movie market was no different.”

Lee Min-ki nodded emphatically.

“Saying that the market is mature and solid enough is the same as saying that it’s difficult to make even one exception.”

“Difficult to make an exception?”

“Yes, too many people have come and gone, and are still working there, and there are internal regulations established among them.”

That’s right.

There were so many directors working in the theater world, like stars in the sky. There were even many famous directors and first-class studios.

The history of the theater world, spanning over 100 years, had accumulated so much input and output that it had lost its fluidity and become as rigid as an old tree.

“They say people get upset and fight over whether or not to put up one more pamphlet.”

What would happen if Mayar Pictures were given special treatment in such a situation?

“It would have been a disaster. They wouldn’t want to break the atmosphere among themselves. If they gave special treatment just because we had a hit, there would definitely be people who would be unhappy.”

“Hmm, that’s what the actor thinks.”

Director Shim Sung-bo nodded as if he understood and said.

“Then why Netplay?”

“Compared to the theaters, it’s still a very young market, right? The contract terms are all over the place. So, paradoxically, there was autonomy. The autonomy to change policies flexibly.”

It was a matter of position.

If the theaters were in a position to protect their internal talent from leaving, Netplay was in the opposite position, trying to steal talent from the theaters.

“It was obvious which side could offer more aggressive terms.”

“Yes, of course, Netplay will gradually reduce these exceptional cases over time. But we were in the early stages…”

A moment later.

Lee Min-ki, who had trailed off, opened his mouth.

“We were lucky.”

That was Lee Min-ki’s judgment.

They were lucky.

Not only in the movie market, but in any market, in the early stages of growth, even a slight advantage over others can lead to a full-fledged push.

It was like how a student with the same grades could be a 3rd-grade student in the Gangnam [affluent district in Seoul known for its high concentration of private education] school district but be at the top of the school in a rural area and aim for a much more difficult university through rolling admissions.

Mayar Pictures made the right choice.

“Luck.”

Director Shim Sung-bo swallowed his words with effort.

Were we really lucky?

If not.

‘Was Netplay the lucky one?’

Director Shim Sung-bo is too timid to say these words out loud with confidence.

So he held back for a moment.

“Netplay was damn lucky.”

“Ju-yeon.”

Director Jin Ju-yeon, who was relatively confident, barged in and chuckled.

“Why? Did I say something I shouldn’t have? Netplay got a sweet deal. They even scouted the actor.”

“Ju-yeon, that’s not what I meant.”

“Why bother denying it? We also got a huge sweet deal thanks to the actor. We were about to close up shop and go to the factory, but we made one movie and came this far, so we can do whatever the actor wants for the next few decades.”

“…….”

Lee Min-gi chuckled and brushed off the conversation, hiding the barb in his joke.

‘He’s praising me, which is nice, but is he implying we’re going to film together for decades to come?’

Without even asking my opinion, as if it’s a given?

Sensing a potential problem, Lee Min-gi quickly changed the subject.

“Ahem, enough with the jokes. If you’re all ready, let’s head out.”

“Oh, is it that time already?”

Director Shim Sung-bo glanced at his watch and said,

“It’s going to be chaos.”

Today isn’t just a casual gathering.

It’s a presentation to announce that Netplay will be providing the project. And every detail, down to the outline of this project, will be revealed in the next five minutes.

“Director Jin, you’re going to be really busy from now on.”

“Busy is good.”

Director Jin Ju-yeon laughed cheerfully, fully agreeing.

“Let’s see if our path leads to the Academy Awards or the Golden Raspberry Awards [an award ceremony that honors the worst in cinematic under-achievements].”

A moment later.

A storm of camera flashes engulfed them, as if recording a page in history.

* * *

Lee Min-gi’s new work.

The detailed story of [Turns Out I’m a Musical Genius] has finally been revealed.

That highly anticipated project, shrouded in secrecy for so long, has finally arrived to the public with its synopsis.

–

[I never thought I’d be doing music.]

[Twenty-three, a college student living an unremarkable life becomes a star overnight!]

The protagonist, Im Yu-seong, attends university during the week and helps his mother with her work at the port in Geoje Island [an island in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea] on weekends.

Wandering without a dream, he belatedly discovers his musical talent.

A video he uploaded by chance unexpectedly records millions of views overnight and spreads worldwide.

People who want to help him.

And people who want to exploit him.

What does Im Yu-seong truly want to become?

–

It’s a music movie.

A music movie that every rising star seems to go through at least once. But even among them, this project that Lee Min-gi is participating in is special.

What makes it special is, of course, the reputation of the production team.

[If William Lockhart wrote the music and Son Hee-jeong produced it, isn’t that all you need to say?]

A world-renowned maestro and a Korean maestro have joined hands for one movie.

[This is freaking insane]

[William Lockhart being official and not just a rumor ㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷㄷ [Korean internet slang expressing excitement or disbelief]]

[Not just one or two songs, but he’s in charge of all the songs?]

[And Son Hee-jeong is producing ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ [Korean internet slang expressing laughter]]

[Wow ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

At this point, box office success is practically guaranteed.

Just thinking of it as a live performance ticket to enjoy in a theater with great sound, it’s worth it just to listen to the music, but they went even further.

[Director Hwang Ui-seong is directing??]

The fact that a big name like Hwang Ui-seong is participating as a director, not even as the main director.

[Just how amazing of a project are they trying to make ㄷㄷㄷㄷ]

[The visuals are already guaranteed]

And finally.

[Did you guys listen to the song they released for promotion this time? He sings even better than then]

It was the power of Lee Min-gi as an individual.

At the press conference, they released a scene that would be inserted into the film, and the reaction was explosive.

“In the family photo, my mother had the brightest smile of anyone.”

The scene where the protagonist persuades his mother, who opposes his decision to pursue music, with his music.

“I just want to be a little more honest with myself.”

A song characterized by a melody that tugs at your heartstrings just thinking about family. This drew an even more explosive reaction.

[He’s this good? ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

He’s good.

That’s all you can say.

[Was Lee Min-gi a musical actor instead of a movie actor?]

[The Geoje Island live performance was amazing]

[I saw Lee Min-gi before, and he was really skilled. If that was after three months, it’s not strange that he’s this good]

[Singers are always better in the studio than live ㅋㅋㅋㅋ Lee Min-gi is probably the same]

Moreover, the role of a college student is also a good fit. When you think about it, his debut work [Campus Story] was also a youth drama.

All the elements for success are in place. If this doesn’t get attention, what will?

Moreover, the fact that it’s the second collaboration with Netplay also has a significant impact.

[What kind of conditions did they get offered behind the scenes?]

[Worldwide simultaneous release? ㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[Lee Min-gi is truly a legend]

[Mayar Pictures is the legend]

[? Wasn’t the CEO of Mayar Pictures Lee Min-gi?]

[ㄴ That rumor keeps spreading, but they’ve made it clear that he’s just an investor and co-producer, not the manager]

Whether Lee Min-gi intended it or not, he has already become the face of Mayar Pictures. In reality, the majority of the shares are held by Director Shim Sung-bo and Director Jin Ju-yeon.

But.

[Let’s just call it Lee Min-gi Pictures]

Lee Min-gi’s name has already become too big.

Meanwhile, in this situation that’s unfolding so smoothly, there’s still one stroke of luck that has arrived unexpectedly.

“Pardon?”

Lee Min-gi blinked at the suggestion he had never even dreamed of.

“You’re saying they contacted us wanting to see our movie before its release?”

“Yes, this is probably a first not only for us but for the entire Korean entertainment industry.”

Director Seo Jung-woo sighed and said,

“It’s a request from the White House.”