Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 113

Former Hero is a Top Star – Episode 113

To Stop the Spreading Fire (2)

* * *

A fight broke out.

A pretty big one, at that.

[‘Rogue Platoon’ Creaking From the Start··· Signs of Discord?]

The article was published on Wednesday, right after the Monday-Tuesday drama ‘Rogue Platoon’ aired. It was only the second episode.

The first shots were fired by fans of the original work.

[??? Did it change a bit from the original?]

[Did the screenwriter plagiarize this?]

[List of changes from the drama adaptation.TXT]

[Aren’t the broadcasters going too far?]

Posts were uploaded to the community, but the first day of airing passed relatively quietly.

However, in the second episode, the original settings were drastically changed. As the episode aired with the original characters disappearing, Yoonbal25 also drew his sword.

Yoonbal25 [original author’s handle]:

lol what is this…? You’ve made a completely new work (unpleasant emoticon)

With the author directly expressing dissatisfaction, the fight was as good as certain.

As if responding to this, fans flocked to the viewers’ bulletin board and poured out their anger.

Then, this time, Yeo Jin-joo’s fandom and the drama’s original viewers rose up.

[Can the original fans please shut up@@@@@@]

[Go back to your base, you original-obsessed people]

[Let’s just watch the drama as a drama ㅇㅇ]

[bangbangbwa haebangbangbwa haebangbangbwa haebangbangbwa hae] [T/N: Nonsense phrase meaning “just watch and enjoy”]

Caught in the middle, the fans of the actors who were just watching were the ones whose backs were broken.

They were expecting it because it was a popular original work, but they were at a loss because they were fighting among themselves.

Title: [Why did it turn out like this… ?]

The post uploaded by a fan cafe member with the nickname JjanggunJjanggun was overflowing with sorrow.

Content: I really don’t know… it seems to be coming out well… why are the writer and the broadcasting writer fighting like thatㅠㅠㅠㅠ I’m already getting a stomachache

Other fans seemed to feel the same way, and more than a dozen comments were posted in an instant.

-It’s because of the adaptation ㅠㅠㅠ JNBC didn’t get permission and modified the original…

-Not that much changed either. Are writers just sensitive by nature?

└Please don’t criticize the writers here!

-Should I read the original at this point…?

└Then you’ll know everything ㅜ

└└I didn’t watch it because I hate spoilers; what a bolt from the blue

-But it’s okay to watch them alternately…. The original has its own charm, and the adaptation has its own?

└Then what should we do..?

└└Let’s support with a neutral gear ㅠ I think we’ll only cause trouble if we do anything

└└└I’m worried that our actor will be upset… he must be having a hard time filming…

Confusion spreads.

Malicious articles and spam comments are rather easy to deal with. If they directly attack the actor, the fandom can unite and fight.

But in this case, it’s ambiguous to judge who is right and who is wrong. The cafe management is also just posting notices to ‘be careful about what you say as it can be reported’ and watching the situation.

[The success of drama adaptation depends on ‘adaptation’; if you rely only on the popularity of the original, it’s ‘unprofessional’]

In the meantime, Yeo Jin-joo’s side released a statement, pouring oil on the boiling powder keg.

Lee Seo-hee, a friend of Han Ji-young, a level 3 ‘ardent Geon-ie’ [referring to Park Geon] who became a fan through a close friend, screamed.

“Why is this human being like this!”

“She’s saying she has nothing to lose. She’s adapted and hit the jackpot with many works, and she’s proven everything with original stories.”

Now a fan cafe staff with experience, Han Ji-young calms her friend down.

If that side is a boiling kettle, this side is a quietly burning fire. She’s calmly pouring comments here and there with her laptop, like a veteran agent.

“Then isn’t it a bigger problem? If it’s between those kinds of writers, the power struggle will be intense.”

“It’s okay. The initial crisis is always the rule, it was worse with Black Priest and Team Hoi-do.”

Their actor had a lot of ups and downs. All sorts of rumors and discord··· Didn’t they write a success story even with members who weren’t mainstream?

They believe it will work out this time as well, but in one corner of their heart, worry as a fan raises its head.

“And, if something really happens, Geon-ie oppa [term of endearment for an older male] will take care of it. He can win over people from conglomerates, can’t he reconcile writers?”

“···Hey, do you think of the actor as a cheat key? I don’t know who’s a fan of whom.”

Han Ji-young shook her head.

“That’s why you’re newbies··· Just wait. Something will come out within a week.”

*

Thursday afternoon, Roman Entertainment headquarters.

An emergency strategy meeting was held.

“There are cases like this. Back in the day, it was like that with ‘The Lady Who Dropped the Red Skirt,’ and there were many webtoons that fought while being dramatized without going far. It’s the first time we’ve had a popular web novel, and such a large-scale work, so it’s getting more attention.”

Team leader Gong Gi-hyung was calm. He’s a veteran who’s experienced all sorts of things, from ups and downs to aerial warfare, and even self-proclaimed space warfare.

“The most worrying thing is the fans? The viewership ratings started well and the reaction is good, but if there’s internal discord, problems that didn’t exist can arise.”

“Ugh, can’t it be resolved like a lie? Like one side suddenly giving in······.”

Section Chief Yoo Joon-il, who was spinning an electronic cigarette, received Park Sun’s hopeful question.

“That can’t happen. Writers are a type of human being who go crazy the moment their pride is hurt. Besides, I heard that the original author makes a lot of money? Then it’s the start of a no-holds-barred battle.”

“Section Chief Yoo is right. The broadcasting station has to step in to stop this, but JNBC is unlikely to abandon its founding contributors. If it’s an individual fandom··· it’s a weight class that can’t be matched with broadcasting experience.”

At that time, Choi Phillip entered, opening the door. He casually greeted them and pulled out a chair to sit down.

“I heard it on the way here. No, I didn’t hear it, I saw it. The pressure cookers were boiling.”

“That’s how it turned out. Where’s Young-tae?”

“He said he’d stop by the lounge and buy some coffee. But why are you here, hyung [older brother/male]? ”

Section Chief Yoo Joon-il thumped his chest.

“Park Geon-ssi [term of respect], Gu actor [referring to Gu Shin-seung], and even you are involved, so of course I have to come. The head of the headquarters is worried that the work with all three of the top male actors will be flawed.”

“They’re all money-grubbers.”

“Isn’t it the sorrow of a self-employed person, hehe.”

While Choi Phillip and Section Chief Yoo were exchanging good wishes like curses, Geon checked his messages.

Alarms pile up in just a few hours. If he doesn’t check his messages for a few days like before, he’ll be bombarded with nagging, so he has to update them periodically.

Gu Shin-seung: [Are you at the company? Is Team Leader Yang there too?]

Eun Hee-wook: [Please contact me if there’s anything I can do to help. I’ll be waiting.]

Baek Ha-ni: [eatlunchandworkless] (T/N: This is one word in Korean)

Son Ho-yoon: [I’m sorry,,, I was too drunk yesterday,,, did I make a lot of mistakes ㅠ]

Underneath the densely packed messages from his colleagues, there was also a message from Yoonbal25.

‘Looks like he’s come to his senses now.’

Last night, he was on his way back after finishing filming when he received a call from the original author. As Park Sun quickly turned off the radio, sorrowful sobs filled the car.

-Actor Park, I’m really··· sob, unfair··· hic, I’m so upset and frustrated that I can’t live, sob.

‘Are you alright?’

Yoonbal25 seemed to have had a few drinks. He poured out his grievances in slurred speech.

-This isn’t why I got your number, I’m sorry for calling you out of the blue. Our team leader also told me not to contact the actors, saying it would only cause more worry··· but I’m so frustrated. I’ve already broken four keyboards.

‘I understand. Were they cherished equipment?’

-Sob, they’re Cherry MX Blue switches that cost 200,000 won [approximately $150 USD] each······.

After sobbing for a long time, he ended the call, saying he was sorry for bothering him.

The conclusion of the lengthy story was twofold.

First, which one is better.

Second, please stop the indiscriminate adaptation.

‘The fun was similar.’

Now that he has a better eye for works, Geon didn’t think either of them was bad.

The only disappointing thing is the synopsis itself. Perhaps because it’s a novel for all ages, even the most vicious villain was somewhat bland to his standards.

Human malice is infinitely cruel. If the protagonist, who was betrayed and met his death, had immediately swept away with more ruthless means as soon as he regressed······.

‘Well, that’s another regressor’s story. There’s no need to over-immerse myself in the novel.’

Geon erased his thoughts. The first grandson of Sunhwa Group, the master of over-immersion, was now at the filming set, ditching his manager.

Section Chief Yoo Joon-il turned to look at him.

“What about Park Geon-ssi?”

“I think the pre-adapted version is better. I originally liked that story more.”

“That story?”

“Regression, revenge, conspiracy, and heroism. The adapted version feels like a popular chaebol [conglomerate] story.”

Those who knew Park Geon in his early days, before filming Black Priest, nodded their heads.

“I see, Park Geon-ssi is serious about heroes.”

“No one sees things through as much as Actor Park once he’s hooked. Why, he even came to the PR office before and played that Demon King’s Castle game all day long.”

Choi Phillip, who turned his chair around, also asked.

“So that’s why you said okay in one go? No wonder you got along so well with that writer.”

“Yes. Because it’s a genre I like.”

“Shin-seung hyung planned it well. Anyway, I know a little about these disputes. The writer and director always fight in every work I’m in.”

Although not as much as Gu Shin-seung, Choi Phillip is also the star who has done the most works at Roman.

Geon asked with anticipation.

“What did you do then?”

Choi Phillip replied as if asking the obvious.

“I left it alone. What can an actor do? If you get involved, it only makes things worse.”

“······.”

“So just wait. We’re taking a photoshoot soon anyway, so why don’t you put your heads together by then.”

Section Chief Yoo Joon-il, who was listening, tilted his head.

“Photoshoot? What’s that?”

“You’re late on the news, Section Chief. It’s already all come to our side and we’re planning the visuals.”

“Wow··· now I don’t know what the PR office knows?”

Section Chief Yoo opened his mouth wide, but everyone in the conference room avoided his gaze. Only Choi Phillip explained with a pathetic expression.

“Hyung, you’ve only been holding onto Jin Ji-yoo and Baek Ha-ni’s schedules for a while. Of course, this news will come late to a female actor killer.”

“Hey, handling Baek Ha-ni was the head of headquarters’ order! What kind of heinous things are you saying······.”

“The point is not to make things bigger.”

At the indifferent voice, the eyes of the audience turned to Geon. Park Sun translated in a quiet voice.

“So hyung’s saying, he’s going to try to resolve it as quietly and cleanly as possible. So that there’s no more friction between the writers. Right?”

“Exactly. I’ll get permission before I move.”

Section Chief Yoo rubbed his arms busily.

“Ugh, I’m getting cold just hearing it. I’m a little scared of you two sometimes.”

“···Park Sun-ssi seems to be resembling hyung these days. She’s become more outspoken.”

“Hehe, thank you for the compliment!”

*

JNBC headquarters.

People passing through the lounge quickened their pace. It was because the three men sitting face to face in the middle, exuding a dark atmosphere, were the cause.

A staff member who was making coffee glanced back.

“···What, did someone die?”

“Just go. That neighborhood is ominous these days, the dumplings they used to make well are bursting at the seams.”

“The well-fed people are here. Whether the writers fight or not, if my work’s viewership ratings are just that much······.”

The staff members who were grumbling so that everyone could hear moved away to the other side of the lounge.

You can tell which team it is just by looking at the members.

‘Rogue Platoon’s’ Na Jong-mo PD [Production Director] and Kim Min-wook AD [Assistant Director], Yoon Je-geol CP [Chief Producer] who takes care of half of JNBC dramas.

In the midst of the silence, the most senior member spoke first.

“Jong-mo, what do you think?”

“What do you mean what do I think? Senior’s nose hair?”

“Hey, don’t be so contrary. I’m talking about the future direction of the work. You don’t see any problems either, do you?”

“What do you mean no problems··· that damn direction is creaking from beginning to end.”

“Hey, Na Jong-mo!”

The assistant director next to him flinched, but Na Jong-mo PD unbuttoned his shirt.

“Yes, Yoon senior. Since we’re on the topic, let’s hear it. Why are you leaving Yeo Jin-joo alone?”

Obvious threats don’t work on juniors who have grown up. Yoon Je-geol CP’s expression becomes awkward.

“It’s going well, what’s the point of the director giving the writer different directions here······.”

“Directing or whatever. You knew from the beginning, right? You’ve seen the original too, hyung. There’s no way Yeo Jin-joo would just change the lines to fit her style.”

Curses pour out of his reddened face. He usually treated him like a senior, but in this situation, his old way of speaking comes out.

In the end, Yoon Je-geol CP raised both hands.

“Yeah, so I just left it alone. If I had told the original author in advance how much it would change, there would have been another uproar. Why would I cut off my family’s livelihood before it even started, huh?”

“Pure gangster mentality······.”

“What gangster! Didn’t we give them money, did we force them to stamp the seal? It’s written in the contract that there may be some adaptation in the process of filming. Honestly, Yeo Jin-joo is a saint. You know that too, Jong-mo.”

The senior’s lament, who has taken a step back after removing all the chess pieces, is irresistible. Na Jong-mo PD also sighs in frustration.

“Anyway, why is the work so messy like this······.”

Everything he says is right. Once the copyright is transferred, there is no room for the original author to be involved in the secondary production.

Unless he directs the drama adaptation himself while adapting it himself. The contract has been signed, and the drama has started airing.

There is a reason why Yoonbal25 is only expressing personal dissatisfaction on SNS without taking legal action.

‘The problem is that the ripple effect is huge.’

The absolute power in this industry lies with the broadcasting station, and the CP who has been delegated the authority.

As the saying goes, blood is thicker than water. There’s no way Director Kim Baek-dong would kick out a broadcasting writer who doesn’t cause accidents and does his job well.

As if reading his mind, Yoon Je-geol CP asks in a subdued tone.

“Na PD, Jong-mo. Please think about the director and the filming crew, huh? If you take sides in this situation, we’re the only ones who get stuck with it.”

“···Ha, really.”

At the end of a long sigh, Na Jong-mo PD asked.

“Where is that person doing now?”

He’s almost completely 넘어왔다 (T/N: 넘어왔다 is an idiom that means ‘to come over’, but in this context, it means ‘to be convinced’). Yoon Je-geol CP quickly takes out a cigarette case.

“Well, I heard he’s going into his new work this time too. He’s probably harassing his assistants in the studio.”

Want a smoke? Following the CP who gets up dangling a lighter, the PD and AD also get up.

“This industry needs to change a bit. It’s like a gangster organization, not a writer’s association.”

“Then Jong-mo, you’ll talk to the female writer well? Without being stubborn or annoyed?”

“That’s enough, keep it a secret from the director. And stop making me do things like this at my level.”

* * *