Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 676

“This is really something.”

Jang Si-ang stared at the filming set with a strange look in his eyes. More precisely, he was staring at the filming set on the monitor.

On that screen, something was happening that he had never imagined.

‘It’s truly bizarre.’

There are certain truths in the world that one simply cannot articulate.

For instance, the undeniable fact that talent is absolutely essential for anyone to achieve a certain level of success in any field.

Jang Si-ang had never done anything particularly different from others to become a film director.

Watching masterpieces, studying techniques, and filming numerous independent films with his personal camera?

There isn’t anyone aspiring to be a film director who hasn’t done at least that much. Unless they’re just idlers who claim they want to be a director, everyone puts in their own effort and thought.

But why is there such a vast difference?

It all comes down to innate talent.

Jang Si-ang walked a path not so different from others, but he was able to walk it faster. That’s because he was born with a natural aesthetic sense.

The field in which Jang Si-ang could succeed was determined from birth. If he hadn’t entered the film industry, he would probably be living a life no different from those countless migrant workers.

How can he be so sure?

‘Because there are people who can’t understand no matter how much you explain.’

Jang Si-ang’s gaze shifted to the assistant director.

This guy had been in the industry for quite some time. Yet, he still hasn’t become a director. Of course, as mentioned before, he’s treated as an assistant director because he’s part of Jang Si-ang’s staff, but considering his experience and skills, he’s more than qualified to be a director.

But if you ask if he can succeed as a director… well?

‘It’s impossible.’

He would probably film a couple of mediocre works and then never be able to hold the director’s position again.

That’s the extent of his talent.

He has the ability to assist others and manage the filming set, but he lacks the one crucial thing that a director must be born with.

Those who stand out are extraordinary from the start.

Can you improve your level by putting in effort?

That’s not wrong. If you add the premise ‘up to a certain level’ before that.

No matter how hard a person with ordinary athletic ability tries, they can’t become a professional athlete. Those who are not born with talent are bound to hit their limits earlier than those who are.

So, what should you do?

It’s simple.

Not everyone needs to be the best. If you’re not born with talent, you should be content with raising your abilities to a certain level through effort.

There’s no need to be disappointed. 99% of people don’t even reach the limit they can achieve through effort. Usually, they comfort themselves by saying they’re trying and waste time meaninglessly.

The guy on the screen right now is exactly like that.

Liu Wei.

He was a pitiful guy, if you think about it.

Of course, Jang Si-ang’s feelings towards Liu Wei were not good at all. To be precise, it had escalated to a point of slight hatred. The term ‘ill will’ is accurate.

Even so, there was pity.

Because his visuals were a waste.

Liu Wei was born with the talent of visuals. Despite being Asian, he has a Western appearance. If he left China, that fact would be a disadvantage, but at least within China, there was no greater advantage than this.

And fortunately, since he was born Chinese, he didn’t need to go abroad. China is a place where you can make astronomical amounts of money just by catering to the domestic market.

The unfortunate thing is that Liu Wei knows that fact too well.

That’s how money is.

Some say that the more money you make, the more you want to make. Most people believe that.

No matter how much money you make, there will always be someone with more money than you, and if you envy them, you’ll become obsessed with money again.

But Jang Si-ang knows.

That’s wrong.

Those who have gathered a moderate amount of money become desperate for it. But those who have gathered enough money to spend for the rest of their lives are divided into three types: those who are still obsessed with money, those who are obsessed with something other than money, and those who have decided to enjoy life.

Liu Wei belonged to the third type.

Effort?

Why should he make an effort?

Even with that terrible acting, he receives astronomical appearance fees, and even with the songs he sings that are no better than tone-deaf, he sells enormous amounts of albums. If he goes to a commercial shoot and smiles a few times while being annoyed, money that others wouldn’t even see in their entire lives is immediately deposited into his account.

Why should he make an effort?

He was born with the talent of visuals. If he added just a little bit of his own effort, he could go further. But isn’t he someone who has no reason to go further?

Even Jang Si-ang couldn’t bring himself to persuade him.

If he were to say, ‘You’re living a sufficiently enjoyable, happy, and fun life, but you need to put in more effort to become a better actor,’ what kind of answer would he get?

It’s obvious.

He would say that he has no desire to become a good actor. And that would be the end of it. Because he’s someone who can live a good life even if he’s not a good actor.

That’s why this side had no choice but to adjust.

It’s the one who’s desperate who has to dig the well [a Korean proverb meaning that those who need something will be the ones to work for it]. That’s why Jang Si-ang had been making all sorts of efforts to bring the unmotivated Liu Wei as the lead actor.

Sometimes he would curse, and sometimes he really wanted to grab a baseball bat and beat him, but he had been enduring it until now with the consolation that he wouldn’t have to face such a guy again after filming this drama.

But…

Then who the hell is that guy?

Jang Si-ang stared blankly at his male lead on the screen.

Liu Wei, there was Liu Wei there.

But that Liu Wei was a different person from the Liu Wei he had seen so far. Even though they had the same face and used the name Liu Wei, they could never be the same person.

Because his foundation had changed.

Even now…

“Uwaaaaaaa!”

Liu Wei suddenly shouted and slammed the crown he was wearing on his head to the floor.

“Why doesn’t it work! Why! Uwaaa! Damn it!”

Jang Si-ang looked at Liu Wei with a dumbfounded expression.

“Hey, assistant director.”

“Yes, director.”

“Shouldn’t we let that bastard rest a bit?”

“I think we should?”

The control of the filming set was entirely in his hands. It wasn’t something the assistant director could dare to discuss with him. Nevertheless, the reason he was asking the assistant director about this was because Jang Si-ang was feeling so dumbfounded.

‘Why is he like that, that bastard.’

No matter how hard he tried, there was no way Liu Wei could become a great actor. Because his innate talent wasn’t geared towards that. It’s greedy to expect him to be born with acting skills when he was born with that face.

But if he put in effort, he could reach a certain level of acting ability.

The problem with Liu Wei so far was that he didn’t put in any effort at all. But now, the Liu Wei in his eyes was shouting and jumping in place because he couldn’t act properly.

If he had seen that kind of behavior a while ago, Jang Si-ang would have cursed him instead. He wouldn’t have hesitated to flip him off, saying he was putting on a show.

But now he couldn’t do that.

He had seen how desperate Liu Wei was for the past few days. He acted as if he would die if he couldn’t act properly.

He devoured the script like crazy and practiced alone, regardless of whether people around him were watching. He even cursed and demanded to reshoot scenes that even the director, him, had given the OK to, saying he didn’t like them.

Even he, who was called a perfectionist, had asked why he was going this far.

So how could he call that a show?

The shadows under his eyes that couldn’t be completely covered by makeup and his rough skin were proof of how hard he was trying.

It’s so unfortunate that not everything can be achieved through effort. I never thought I’d think that while looking at that guy.

“Try to stop him.”

“Do you think he’ll listen if I go? He’s completely lost it.”

“You’re the only one he’ll listen to, director. It’s not that I don’t want to go.”

“I know, you idiot.”

Jang Si-ang sighed and got up from his seat.

A situation where the actor is working too hard and the director has to stop him. Anyone in the position of director wouldn’t dislike that situation.

Even so, Jang Si-ang was feeling a strange sense of unease.

‘Why is he like that?’

Because that actor was Liu Wei.

Liu Wei was the actor who was least suited to that kind of behavior in the world. Wasn’t Liu Wei someone he didn’t even want to give the title of actor to until a few days ago? But now that that guy was suddenly acting like this, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

Jang Si-ang, who had walked right in front of Liu Wei, opened his mouth with a slightly worried voice.

The worry in his voice surprised even Jang Si-ang himself.

“Hey, are you okay?”

Liu Wei’s head turned sharply towards him.

‘Ugh!’

Jang Si-ang took a step back without realizing it. He could feel the venom in his bloodshot eyes. He looked like he could devour a person with his gaze.

“Director.”

“Huh? Huh?”

Jang Si-ang was slightly overwhelmed by that force. Jang Si-ang, who had received the aura of many famous actors in China and Hollywood, couldn’t help it this time.

This wasn’t an aura, but rather a murderous intent. It was a chilling feeling that made the hair of the person facing him stand on end.

“Why…”

“Huh?”

“Why doesn’t it work, why!”

What should he say?

What should he say if a guy who had been neglecting his studies throughout his school years asks why he’s not getting good grades when he’s cramming two days before the exam?

The answer is obvious.

But he couldn’t bring himself to say that answer.

‘Why is he so desperate? You stupid bastard. Really.’

He couldn’t understand why he was acting like this when he had nothing to be lacking. As a director, he should welcome it, but he was worried because it was too much.

“Try taking a break. It’s not like everything works out just because you’re working hard. Your emotions are too heightened. Let’s rest for 30 minutes, just 30 minutes.”

“30 minutes?”

Liu Wei glared at Jang Si-ang with eyes that looked like they could devour him.

“We can shoot ten cuts in 30 minutes. Where do we have time to waste?”

“You idiot, you’ll collapse.”

“Why would that matter?”

Liu Wei muttered something.

It sounded like he was saying it was better than dying, but he couldn’t be sure.

“The other staff members are also exhausted. So…”

Just as Jang Si-ang was trying to persuade Liu Wei, Liu Wei’s eyes seemed to waver, and then his head snapped up.

‘What is it?’

Jang Si-ang’s gaze followed Liu Wei’s and turned back.