Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 432

“Yeon-ha, you have to do this.”

Choi Yeon-ha looked at the president with a sulky expression. The desperation on his face was palpable, but he was always like that anyway.

“It’s all on location?”

“It’s a Chinese drama, after all.”

“I’m not interested.”

The president flinched.

“Why… why aren’t you interested again?”

“Chinese food doesn’t suit my taste.”

“I’ll hire a chef for you. We can take a Korean chef with us.”

“If you cook with Chinese ingredients, it won’t taste right.”

“What are you talking about! How could I make food for our Yeon-ha with Chinese ingredients! I’ll have Korean ingredients flown in!”

Choi Yeon-ha still looked indifferent.

“The filming period is too long too.”

“Six months will fly by.”

“Exactly. Spending six months in China during my prime…”

“No, Yeon-ha. You don’t seem to know, but this is a Beijing location. Beijing is a big city! You’ve been there before.”

“The smog was too bad.”

“…Let’s take a doctor too.”

Choi Yeon-ha tapped the script with a dissatisfied look.

“The scenario is too typical too.”

“It’s a project aimed at the Chinese mainland, so it’s bound to be typical. That’s what works, that’s what!”

“It’s a bit…”

As Choi Yeon-ha kept trailing off with a displeased tone, the president glanced at Han Eun-sol, signaling her to do something quickly.

“Noona, what’s wrong again?”

“Again?”

“No, not again.”

Han Eun-sol sighed deeply.

“It’s a good opportunity.”

“Do you see this as a good opportunity?”

“Yes. I really think it’s a good opportunity.”

“Why?”

Han Eun-sol swallowed hard. Choi Yeon-ha’s thoughts could change depending on what he said now. And the president was watching too.

“First of all, the Chinese market is incomparably huge compared to Korea.”

“That’s right.”

“Being able to target that market is a big deal. If you build just a little bit of recognition there, you can make a fortune.”

“I’m not an idol, what do I have to sell to make a fortune?”

“That’s because you don’t know, Noona. In China, the money you get from just one commercial is on a different scale. You can really rake it in.”

Choi Yeon-ha turned to Han Eun-sol with a slightly sulky face. Han Eun-sol felt his heart drop at that gaze.

‘Did I make a mistake?’

“Eun-sol-ah.”

“Yes, Noona.”

“Right. Right. We’re doing this to make a living. Right?”

“…Yes?”

“Yeah, I know. Acting isn’t a life-saving job, and even doctors who save dying people get paid, so why would I work without thinking about money? Right?”

“No, Noona. It’s not like that…”

“But being too money-focused is a bit much, don’t you think?”

“Like I said before, I have a lot of money. I’ve earned enough to live on for the rest of my life. So why would I fly all the way to China just for the money?”

Han Eun-sol looked back at the president.

‘I can’t do it, President.’

‘You useless brat.’

The president glared at Han Eun-sol once and then turned his head to Choi Yeon-ha. A soft smile, completely different from when he looked at Han Eun-sol, bloomed on his face.

“Alright, alright, Yeon-ha. Think about it.”

“Yes?”

“That’s how actors are. Their prime isn’t that long. Actually, you might not like me saying this, but reality is reality. There are limited roles for actresses as they get older.”

Choi Yeon-ha stared at the president without answering.

“So, when you’re at your peak, shouldn’t you film a big project? A project that will remain in your career. You need to leave behind a project that people will say ‘Ah, that’s it’ when they think of Choi Yeon-ha…”

“So.”

The president flinched as Choi Yeon-ha’s voice became stiff.

“You’re saying I should film a Chinese drama to make money before I become an old hag?”

“Why are you talking so extremely?”

“President.”

“…Yes.”

Choi Yeon-ha crossed her legs and rested her chin on her hand.

“Is the project that will remain in my career a Chinese drama?”

“I would understand if it was a Chinese movie. There are many great directors in China. But a drama? Is appearing in a drama planned solely for the Chinese domestic market for my career?”

Choi Yeon-ha’s face was cold.

“I might be tempted if you just told me the truth. But you’re looking at me too softly, President. Do I look like someone who would sign a contract just because of sweet talk? I’m Choi Yeon-ha.”

“I know, I know. I know how picky Choi Yeon-ha is.”

And how rude she is too.

“…Let’s calm down for a bit. I’ll go out for a smoke.”

“Smoke here.”

“R-really?”

“Yes. I don’t care.”

The president looked at Choi Yeon-ha with a slightly dazed expression. Once, he had smoked out of frustration, and Choi Yeon-ha had gotten up and cut off contact for a week. Since then, he hadn’t even dared to mention the word ‘smoke’ in front of Choi Yeon-ha…

“Are you really okay?”

Without a word, Choi Yeon-ha pushed the ashtray on the table towards the president.

“Eun-sol, you smoke too. If you’re going to smoke, let’s do it together.”

“…Noona, you told me never to smoke in front of you because the smell would get on your clothes. You even told me to spray deodorant when I came back from smoking elsewhere…”

“I’m already ruined.”

“Do you smoke?”

“Just say something that makes sense, President.” The president was taken aback by Choi Yeon-ha’s sharp retort.

‘No, she doesn’t seem to have gotten any nicer…’

She’s just being more lenient in strange areas.

The president, feeling a bit uneasy, lit a cigarette. However, when Choi Yeon-ha didn’t show any change in expression, he finally relaxed and let his guard down.

“Okay, let’s be honest.”

Sweet talk wouldn’t work on Choi Yeon-ha anyway. So, a direct approach might be better.

‘How did I end up like this?’

The most difficult person to deal with is someone who doesn’t need anything. If someone needs money, you can persuade them with money, and if someone needs fame, you can persuade them with fame. But Choi Yeon-ha has a passion for her work, but she’s not so passionate that she’d choose a project based solely on passion. She’s also aware of reality, but she’s already made enough money to look down on that reality.

It was never going to be easy to persuade someone who didn’t need anything to work.

“Honestly, yes. It’s because of money. But there’s nothing wrong with that. When you film a movie in Korea, you don’t work without getting paid, do you? You get paid anyway.”

“That’s right.”

“So, since you’re getting paid anyway, isn’t it a good idea to film somewhere that pays well? If you do this one properly, you can earn enough money to film any good project you want in the future.”

“I’ve told you several times that I have enough money now.”

“There’s no such thing as enough money!” The president said firmly.

“How long do you think what you feel is enough now will last? You think it’s enough because you only have to take care of yourself. But do you know why people say the more money the better? Because you can’t live life exactly as planned. There will definitely be moments when you need more money!”

“President.”

Choi Yeon-ha said in a low voice.

“I understand what you’re saying, but I don’t think I have to earn money this way.”

“What’s wrong with this? Are you looking down on Chinese dramas?”

“It’s not that I’m looking down on Chinese dramas, but this is really a role that’s being sold for money.”

“Huh?”

“Did you even read the script properly?”

Choi Yeon-ha picked up the script she had half-thrown on the table and shook it.

“There are no lines, I barely get involved in the plot, and it’s a role where I just have to smile as a figurehead.”

“…Really? But that could be an advantage. You can’t speak Chinese anyway.”

Choi Yeon-ha frowned.

“Anyway, I have no intention of taking this role. I won’t do it.”

Choi Yeon-ha jumped up from her seat, and the president was startled and reached out his hand. But Choi Yeon-ha smoothly pulled her hand away, avoiding the president’s attempt to grab it.

“Yeon-ha, this is a really big deal.”

“I know it’s a big deal. But I don’t want to do that big deal, I don’t.”

“No, you…”

“I’ll go first. Contact me if you have any other good scripts. But at least read the script before you contact me next time.”

Without another word, Choi Yeon-ha walked out of the office, and the president leaned back in his chair and clutched his face.

“I’m going crazy, really.”

Han Eun-sol was restless, not knowing what to do.

As an employee of the company, he should follow the president’s opinion as much as possible, but a manager’s job wasn’t like that.

He was bound to be more attached to the actor he lived with than the president, with whom he had little contact other than receiving his salary.

“Hey, Eun-sol. No, Manager Han.”

“Yes.”

“Why do you think she’s acting like that?”

“I mean, if she’s an actress, she should be working on projects. She was picky before, but at least she would check the script for the next project right after finishing one… Why is she letting go like that?”

Han Eun-sol opened and closed his mouth a few times.

“You, do you know anything?”

When Han Eun-sol kept his mouth shut, the president leaned forward slightly.

“Manager Han.”

“Yes.”

“This is a company.”

“If you want to take care of your actor, leave with her after your contract ends. I won’t stop you. I can’t stop you. But at least while you’re getting paid here and she’s under contract here, you should work for the company. That’s the right thing to do, that’s the proper thing to do. Am I wrong?”

“You’re right.”

“If you know anything, tell me. Why is she acting like that?”

Han Eun-sol lowered his head and then suddenly stood up.

“President.”

“Yes?”

Han Eun-sol said in a serious tone.

“I don’t think the way to fulfill my responsibility to the company and my loyalty to my actor is to gossip here.”

“…Then what are you going to do?”

“I’ll try to persuade her.”

“Persuade?”

The president’s eyes widened slightly.

Is this guy saying he’s going to persuade Choi Yeon-ha? That Choi Yeon-ha?

“Can you do it?”

“If I can’t, I’ll tell you everything I know. But before that, I think it’s my job to do what I can. Please trust me and wait a few days.”

The president took a deep drag of his cigarette and slowly exhaled the smoke.

“Can you do it?”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Then you take care of this, Manager Han. I’ll forget about it until you come back and open your mouth.”

“Thank you.”

Watching Han Eun-sol bow his head and leave, the president sighed deeply.

‘There’s something going on…

I should investigate separately.’