Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 71

The Former Hero is a Ten Million Actor – Episode 71

An All-Time Tag Team Match (3)

* * *

The Louis Vuitton launch event.

In front of the showroom, two female celebrities invited to the event are talking.

“Haven’t seen Baek Ha-ni? I heard she’s coming today.”

“She arrived earlier. She’s probably resting inside.”

The one wearing a rabbit fur vest looked delighted and turned towards the waiting room.

“Really? I wonder if she’ll acknowledge me if I go in and say hello?”

“Forget it. She’ll just give you a look like you’re eating dirt and walk away.”

“She’s an ice princess, but I still like her.”

“Princess, my foot… she’s a queen because she’s getting old. She’s almost thirty now.”

Inside the showroom where the two were whispering, in a waiting room divided into sections for the invitees to rest, was the Ice Queen.

“······.”

Even though the script from the company was delivered, Baek Ha-ni, sitting cross-legged on the leather sofa, didn’t react.

Tock, tock.

The more her straight legs shook up and down, the drier the mouth and throat of her road manager, Moon Sung-hoon, became.

It’s been almost two months since he took charge of this actress.

He knows that Baek Ha-ni’s famous tantrums become somewhat less severe for those below the team leader level.

But that expression now… her brow loosening and her lips twitching means the Queen’s mood has become very, very unpleasant.

Her light mauve lips, matching the event’s concept, opened, and the interrogation fell.

“Chief Yoo Joon-il gave you this?”

“Yes, he said if I gave it to Ha-ni, you’d look at it on your own…”

“What a show.”

“…Yes, yes?”

Baek Ha-ni crumpled the script she was looking at.

“Calling someone who’s resting to a show like this to be a figurehead, and the chief passes the script to the road manager… the company’s doing great, really.”

She looked ready to explode. There’s still the event schedule left, and if he can’t calm her down here, she might just leave, show or no show.

Suddenly, the secret plan he heard earlier came to Moon Sung-hoon’s mind, who was fidgeting.

“Um, Ha-ni.”

“What.”

“Well… Chief Yoo said something earlier that he wanted me to pass on…”

Baek Ha-ni’s voice finally rang loudly in the waiting room.

“It’s frustrating, so what did he say!”

“He said it would work if it was a request from the CEO. And he asked you to keep your promise.”

Baek Ha-ni’s momentum, which had been like an ice volcano about to erupt, subsided in an instant.

It’s not that she’s calmed down. Rather, it’s closer to a four-year-old child who quietly listens when coaxed with snacks or a smartphone.

“And, what else?”

“Um… he said Park Geon is your co-star, and he told you to try to work well together.”

This time, an expression Moon Sung-hoon had never seen before appeared. It was a look that seemed annoyed, yet somehow expectant.

Looking at the crumpled script with an enigmatic face, Baek Ha-ni suddenly stood up.

“Let’s finish quickly and go to the company. I need to see the CEO.”

A small bomb dropped in the entertainment industry.

Park Geon of Roman Entertainment signed on for a weekend drama to be aired on CVN.

Looking only at the surface, it’s just one actor appearing in a drama on a new channel, but looking behind it, Roman and C&J have officially joined hands.

At the same time, the members of the emerging ‘Park & Jin Division’ were revealed one by one, raising expectations.

Writer Young Do-eun of ‘Fake Empress’ and ‘Timeless’.

Director Jeon In-woo, who directed ‘Gorilla Bumper’ and ‘Short Track’.

With a talented writer and director, and, according to leaked information, a historical drama with a scale of over 40 billion won [approximately $30 million USD].

Before the reporters could ignite the fire, the fans were the first to spread the pre-released information.

-Park Geon’s new work Let’s Go

└What, is he really filming on CVN?

-How much money did they give him that a channel on the verge of closing with 3% ratings got Roman’s ace ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ [laughing sounds]

-It’s going to rebound~ I bought all the related stocks~

-But the broadcast date is similar to KBC’s weekend drama, it seems like they’ll be broadcasting almost simultaneously

└ㅇㅇ [yes, yes] They’re openly going head-to-head

└└Isn’t Hyperion also doing a lot of promotion saying Moon Han-bin is appearing?

└└└It would be a relief if only Moon Han-bin came out ㅋㅋㅋ [laughing sounds] It seems like all the top actors will be mobilized there too

-Expected actor list) Moon Han-bin, Choi Cheong-jong, Kwak Yeo-woon, Ahn Mi-rip, etc.

└This guy’s an insider

Naturally, attention was focused on the confrontation between the two dramas.

Along with the openly circulating entertainment industry rumors, fans who have been in this industry for a long time are well aware of the long-standing animosity between Roman-DG-Joinus.

In today’s world, watching a fight is more precious than watching a fire. The reporters who caught the case threw in firewood and kindling indiscriminately.

[‘Hyperion’ and ‘Baekjeong General’··· A Foretold All-Out War]

[40 Billion VS 50 Billion, Will the War of the Stars Begin]

[CVN Draws Its Sword, Stakes Its Fate on Casting to Catch ‘Harion’··· Jin Gyu-il’s Hidden Card?]

[Park Geon in ‘Baekjeong General’, Moon Han-bin in ‘Harion’··· Deciding the Top Of Top of 20s Male Actors]

[DG&Joinus Reveal ‘Full Actor Support’ Intentions to KBC··· CP Byung Seo-han “C&J Will Have Difficulty Competing”]

The production costs alone are not at the level of 5 billion or 10 billion won.

No matter how much money is drawn from external investors, if that much goes in, it won’t end with just feeling regretful when the viewership ratings don’t come out.

The probability of both doing well… is extremely low.

Simultaneous broadcast, and with blockbusters clashing, it’s a chicken game from the start.

This side will do everything in its power to throw that side into the gutter, and vice versa.

At any broadcasting station, this big match became a hot topic when two or three people gathered.

In the lounge of the JNBC building, a few PDs [Producers] took a break and sat around with ADs [Assistant Directors], chatting.

“It’s a guillotine match. One of them will fall.”

One PD said, and another PD responded.

“I know. KBC put in all their effort to exceed 30% this quarter, but some guy popped out.”

“And it’s CVN, which they used to crush whenever they felt like it… Hehe, Byung Seo-han must be getting heated.”

“They always ruined other people’s business like they were being sly. They’ll only know it hurts when they get hurt themselves.”

PD Na Jong-mo, who had been listening silently, took out a 50,000 won bill [approximately $37 USD] and placed it on the table.

“50,000 won on CVN. Based on the highest viewership rating.”

“Wow, Na Jong-mo, you couldn’t resist gambling?”

“This is excessively against the odds. KBC is tough, but CVN is too weak.”

“If you’re scared, you die, I’m betting 50,000 won.”

To Na Jong-mo’s stubbornness, which no one took seriously, a close entertainment bureau PD clicked his tongue.

“Oh my, this Park Geon fanatic. Do you think Park Geon will destroy everything alone again this time?”

PD Na Jong-mo, who folded the bill twice, retorted.

“What are you talking about, why is Park Geon alone?”

“Officially, he’s alone. At most, one or two from Roman, and the rest will be supplied from C&J, which is a bit weak compared to that luxurious legion.”

“But who knows what will happen if Baek Ha-ni or Jin Ji-yoo come out. Park Geon has never properly worked with his agency’s actors before.”

Amid the back-and-forth arguments, PD Na Jong-mo slammed the table where the money was placed.

“You guys with only mouths, so are you betting or not? If you don’t bet, I’ll automatically bet on KBC, huh?”

“Hey, who said you could bet as you please!”

“I’ll bet after all the officials are out, if you write your name first, your wrist will fly off!”

The precious tea time instantly turned into a high school taws game [a traditional Korean game].

Looking at the PDs raising their voices with pathetic eyes, one of the assistant directors muttered.

“They make good money too…”

“Ugh, I’m going to die…”

Seo Hee-do, wearing a dobok [Taekwondo uniform], sprawled on the gym floor. His complexion, which had been vibrant until an hour ago, now looked like a frog after a marathon.

Geon adjusted his belt and said.

“It feels good to sweat after a long time.”

“What are you talking about, hyung [older brother or male friend]? You still look fresh and fluffy like you just came out of the shower?”

A huge shadow loomed over the astonished Seo Hee-do. Director Park Doo-yi, holding two 2L bottles of water in both hands, smiled broadly.

“Actors, have some water.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you, Director… but my stomach…”

“Feeling nauseous? Go throw up and come back refreshed. The bathroom is over there.”

Today’s destination was Laos Gym in Mapo.

Director Park Doo-yi of this place is a first-generation fan who has been sending wreaths since the early days of Park Geon’s acting career.

Recently, he even got a ticket to the fan meeting and saw his face, and he told him to come to the gym with his colleagues anytime, so he visited for exercise.

Starting with physical training, Park Doo-yi directly taught weight training, kickboxing, and jujutsu, and after two hours, groans echoed from everywhere.

Park Seon, another victim squatting next to Seo Hee-do, asked with a dying face.

“…Hyung [older brother or male friend], can I really become as strong as you if I do this?”

“Of course. Just do it consistently.”

“Manager, everything that hyung [older brother or male friend] says is a lie. Never believe… Ugh, my whole body aches.”

As Seo Hee-do groaned and turned over, Park Doo-yi grinned and chimed in.

“It can’t be helped. Our actor Park is a human weapon sent from heaven. If he wasn’t an actor, he would have conquered the world with mixed martial arts.”

Geon smiled without much response.

‘I’ve already swept through other dimensions.’

While the two were being rolled around by Park Doo-yi, he also took turns sparring with the members of the 선수부 [seonsubu – a team of professional or semi-professional fighters within the gym].

At first, it was 1:1, but as time went on, the number of people increased, and in the end, as many as four people stuck to him.

The result was a precarious victory. Even though he was running lightly to sweat and exercise, his superhuman strength and dynamic visual acuity were enough to knock down the 선수부 [seonsubu].

“But Geon hyung [older brother or male friend].”

“Yes, Hee-do.”

Seo Hee-do, who had been sprawled out, raised only his upper body and shook his head like a dog.

His hair had now changed from blonde to red, and he was always crying because he didn’t like the color.

“Really, can’t you include me too? There must have been foreigners in the Joseon Dynasty too.”

“Hee-do, you’re currently active. Get permission from the CEO and then audition.”

“How can I get permission, he’ll imprison me so I don’t get any crazy ideas… !”

It’s not just Seo Hee-do. As soon as the article that he was entering the CVN weekend drama came out, calls poured in from former ‘Park Geon Division’ actors.

[Byun Hwi-seung]: Trouble maker ready

[Byun Hwi-seung]: This time, I’m going to cause a feud with another actor besides you, Geon

[Byun Hwi-seung]: They say you get closer while fighting, so if possible, please ask for a female actor instead of a male actor

Yong Joon-sang, who is entering the JNBC drama this time, sent a red ginseng set gift certificate, and Lee Jang-mi also said that she is filming an independent film, but she will help at any time.

[Lee Jang-mi]: I’ll go as a special appearance if you need me. I’m good at acting as an extra who gets shot by a musket, or something like that.

[Park Geon]: Is 승자총통 [seungja chongtong – a type of cannon] also possible?

[Lee Jang-mi]: Yes….??

Choi Phillip, who is filming a movie, received a message of support, and Goo Shin-seung received a resentful talk.

[Goo Shin-seung]: My heart is like a chimney to help your work, but Leader Noh Joong-man told me not to go out. Instead, I will send 건량 [geonryang – food and supplies] and a water truck.

[Park Geon]: Are you 빠지셨습니까 [ppajisyeotseumnikka – falling] into martial arts novels again?

[Goo Shin-seung]: What are you talking about?

[Park Geon]: You weren’t like this on the messenger… and your 말투 [maltoo – way of speaking] has changed from before.

[Goo Shin-seung]: Introduction is late. I am 구신 [Goo Shin – Goo’s morning], the elder of the 무당파 [Moo-dang-pa – a martial arts sect].

“…The speed of writing Chinese characters is no joke.”

Geon, who was reading with admiration, tilted his head.

Come to think of it, he hadn’t heard from Jin Ji-yoo for several days.

Is she busy because of casting? CEO Noh Joong-man said that Baek Ha-ni or she would join as the co-star in this work.

‘I guess she’s 고민 중인가 보군 [gomin junginga bogun – thinking hard].’

Since she is a company colleague who has always encouraged him, he thought that this time, he should take the lead.

만사형통(萬事亨通)에 명진사해(名振四海)하십시오 [mansahyeongtong-e myeongjinsahae hasipsio – May all things go well and your name spread far and wide]… While writing a message to Jin Ji-yoo while looking up a Chinese character dictionary, he received a call from Chief Yoo Joon-il.

“This is Park Geon.”

-Actor Park, did you hear the casting news?

“No. Has the role been confirmed?”

Seo Hee-do and Park Seon, who had regained their strength, also looked at him with curious eyes.

Chief Yoo sighed as if the ground was sinking and began to complain.

-No, listen to me. Well, that’s…

“Baek Ha-ni is leaving now! Accompanied by her chief, it seems like they want to see your face before signing the contract!”

“Good, everyone get ready!”

PD Jeon In-woo slapped his knee with a hand as big as a 솥뚜껑 [sottukkeong – pot lid].

In the office of ‘Studio Changcheon’, the production company of C&J Entertainment, which had been deserted for a while, was lively for the first time in a while.

“Contact writer Young Do-eun right away and tell her to come here because Baek Ha-ni is coming.”

“Yes, should I say it’s an actor meeting?”

“Not a meeting… just tell her to come and say hello to congratulate her on being picked by Young, she’ll understand. Jin-ho, go down and buy some coffee.”

A production company employee, tilting his head, took the card and went down.

Checking the number of staff members entering the ‘Baekjeong General’ filming, Jeon In-woo groaned.

“Oh my, how much money will it take to feed all of these people…”

The outline of the female lead role, which had been 밀고 당기던 [milgo danggideon – pushed and pulled] for several days, was 잡혔다 [japhyeotda – caught].

The result was Baek Ha-ni, who was strongly recommended by Young Do-eun.

Although the official article has not been released because the contract has not been signed, joining is almost certain.

Since that top star is visiting the production company, we have to prepare to welcome her even if we can’t lay out a red carpet.

“Director, what do you think of Baek Ha-ni?”

A female staff member who was preparing a simple refreshment spoke to PD Jeon.

“Um? What do I think?”

“I heard rumors that her personality is no joke. She’s capricious and very moody.”

“I haven’t worked with her either, so I don’t know. I heard from other PDs [Producers] and CPs [Chief Producers]…”

Jeon In-woo, who was talking, looked around. Before he knew it, all the office workers were looking at him.

He laughed and changed the subject.

“Why am I talking about it, she’ll be here soon. Let’s all see and judge for ourselves.”

“Ah, Director!”

Twenty minutes later, Baek Ha-ni arrived. With Chief Yoo Joon-il, whom she had seen on the meeting day, as her bodyguard.

“I’m PD Jeon In-woo. Nice to meet you.”

“I’m writer Young Do-eun.”

Baek Ha-ni, who received greetings from the writer and director who had arrived in advance, bowed slightly.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Baek Ha-ni.”

The meeting started in the inner conference room right away. In an unexpectedly smooth atmosphere, a few staff members glanced inside the glass door.

‘It’s better than I thought? I thought she would swear as soon as she came.’

‘Be quiet, she’ll hear you!’

The atmosphere in the room where the writer, director, CVN, and C&J officials were sitting was not bad either.

It takes two to tango, so there was no problem with the actor’s motivation being at the bottom.

Chief Shin carefully handed over the documents.

“The contract conditions are like this, the same as what we sent to the agency last time. Please check if there is anything wrong.”

Baek Ha-ni, leaning on the sofa, looked at Chief Yoo with half-closed eyes.

“Sign it, oppa [older brother or male friend]. You and the CEO ended up plotting to sell me anyway.”

“Haha, I guess our Ha-ni is in a good mood? She’s making jokes she doesn’t usually make today…”

“What actor makes jokes by selling the CEO. Oh, there is an opposite. Me right now.”

Chief Yoo Joon-il sweated and covered it up, but Baek Ha-ni’s tongue showed no signs of stopping its 칼춤 [kalchum – sword dance, meaning sharp and cutting remarks].

This time, she looks at writer Young Do-eun and says as if she is very sorry.

“Ah… I’m sorry, the 극 [geuk – drama] is good, but our agency’s way of inserting actors is terrible.”

“Hahaha! No, it can happen.”

While Young Do-eun was speechless, PD Jeon In-woo laughed good-naturedly and eased the atmosphere.

“Anyway, I look forward to working with you in the future. CEO Noh’s contact was delayed, so I was worried that you might not like our scenario.”

“That’s not it. Anyway, there would have been no one else to do it if it wasn’t me.”

“Of course, I thought the casting would fall through and Song Yi-seol would drop out. I guess there’s a connection in the world after all, pahahat hahat!”

The hearty laughter of the hairy PD echoed through the conference room.

Since his voice is so loud, even the forced tension doesn’t seem forced. Baek Ha-ni, who pressed one ear, shook her head and gestured to Chief Yoo.

“Do it quickly, I have to go to the ENT [Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor].”

“Oh, wait.”

It was when Chief Yoo Joon-il, who had quickly reviewed the contract, took out a pen. PD Jeon raised a strange exclamation.

“Ahem, uh… ?”

Chief Yoo and Chief Shin, followed by writer Young Do-eun’s eyes, widened in turn.

“What is it, again?”

It was when Baek Ha-ni, who had finally frowned, turned around. The glass door opened wide and a new celebrity appeared in the conference room.

“…Jin Ji-yoo?”

Baek Ha-ni muttered as if she had seen something dirty, and Chief Yoo was startled and stood up.

“Hey, Jin Ji-yoo! Why did you come again?”