Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 70

The Veteran Warrior is a Ten Million Actor – Episode 70 (70/199)

An All-Time Tag Team Match (2)

* * *

A significant production meeting was scheduled.

The VVIP room of a high-end izakaya [Japanese-style pub] in Cheongdam was reserved, and a special order from the headquarters went down the line.

Staff from C&J Entertainment and officials from CVN arrived an hour before the meeting, checking the preparations with tense faces.

“Can we go up now?”

“Yes, the head of the headquarters arrived a little while ago.”

“This is going to be big. Manager Shin, let’s go right away.”

Director Bang Seong-il and Deputy Manager Shin Myeong-cheol from CVN were the first to arrive. The two men entered the tatami room and greeted Jin Gyu-il, who was drinking tea, with utmost politeness.

“Have you arrived, Head of Headquarters?”

“I’m sorry for being late. I left early, but there was a fender-bender on Teheran Road, so I was stuck for a while…”

Even though he was the director of a broadcasting station versus the head of the main office, Jin Gyu-il was still the son of the owner’s family, young as he was.

Head of Headquarters Jin Gyu-il gestured for the director, who was constantly bowing, to sit down.

“That doesn’t matter. Let’s just do our jobs well, without making mistakes in our respective positions.”

“Yes, of course!”

As the food and drinks were being set out, a burly man with a fierce expression and a short man wearing rimless glasses entered.

This time, it was from Roman Entertainment: CEO Noh Joong-man and Head of Management Lee Sang-cheol.

“Have you arrived, CEO? I’m Jin Gyu-il.”

“I’m Noh Joong-man, CEO of Roman.”

“I’m Lee Sang-cheol, Head of Management. The actors will be here soon.”

The three men exchanged handshakes and glances, assessing each other as formidable opponents or potential allies, based on the strength of their grips.

“Why don’t you sit down and have a drink first? The rest of the people are coming.”

“Shall we? Our CEO is a well-known drinker, so I think he’ll get along well with Head of Headquarters Jin.”

“Haha, I look forward to working with you.”

Soon after the Park Geon and Park Seon brothers entered, writer Young Do-eun and PD [Production Director] Jeon In-woo opened the sliding door one after another.

From the agency’s CEO and actors to the broadcasting station’s director and entertainment headquarters head, as well as the PD and writer in charge of production, the long table was filled as everyone sat down.

A unique point was that a camera for filming was installed at the entrance of the tatami room, but everyone who came in didn’t pay much attention to it.

“It’s an honor, Actor. I’m Young Do-eun.”

“I’ve heard a lot about you. I’m Park Geon.”

“I’m Jo Byeong-gil, team leader of the C&J Content Business Division. I’m also in charge of managing the entertainment actors team.”

The actors and writers exchanged their first greetings, and the PD and team leader exchanged business cards.

As the greetings were roughly finished, Head of Headquarters Jin Gyu-il stood up and organized the room.

“Then, it seems like everyone who’s coming has arrived, so let’s begin.”

With a slight sense of tension, the meeting began.

*

“Writer, go in carefully!”

“You too, Manager. I’ll be in your care from now on, right?”

“Oh, the production company should be working harder on that. Don’t worry about a thing!”

“I look forward to working with you, Deputy Manager.”

If things go well, the farewell greetings are longer than when they meet.

One team called for a designated driver, and the other team went up to catch a taxi. Soon, only the two brothers were left in front of the Starcraft van in the underground parking lot.

“You’ve worked hard. Sleep at the officetel [A small apartment often used as an office or studio] tonight.”

Park Seon smiled instead of answering when Geon, who got in the car, said that.

“Yeah, but, hyung [older brother or close male friend]. Have you heard your new nickname?”

“Nickname?”

“Deputy Manager Shin said it earlier. Now, Actor Park Geon is a truly undisputed kiss rejectionist, romance breaker, scandal crusher, and a man where the energy of the universe gathers. I guess the title has increased in the meantime.”

Even when he was making a name for himself throughout the Iron Kingdom, he never had such dangling titles attached to him.

Geon asked again, wondering if he had misheard.

“Kiss rejectionist?”

“Yeah. The fans gave it to you because you avoided Seo Ye-ni and only kissed Kwon Yu-ri, right?”

“But the script was revised.”

“That’s right, originally there were more romance elements, but Writer Mu changed it.”

He exchanged greetings for the first time with the writer of the Hoedo team, whose pen name was ‘Mu,’ at the wrap-up party.

Unlike PD Hwang Chang-jae, who sighed every time the writer was mentioned, he was surprisingly a decent human being when he actually saw him.

“Hyung, do you remember? At the wrap-up party, the writer said that Actor Park is more suited to a genre that’s stickier than a rom-com. So, he deliberately gave up the kiss scene for adults for the next work.”

“I thought that was a curse.”

Park Seon, who was laughing alone as if he remembered that time, suddenly hardened his expression seriously.

“But after seeing this work, I immediately knew what he meant. The Hoedo team was good, but this scenario is really… the impact is no joke.”

They had barely escaped from a marathon meeting that lasted almost 6 hours.

The large meeting, attended by officials from Roman, C&J, and CVN, as well as the writer, director, and outsourced production PDs, ended after 3 a.m.

This was because of the guarantee negotiations, the production cost per episode negotiations, the scenario meetings that had been circulated in advance, and even the unusual camera auditions for a meeting.

The results were generally positive. There were still parts that needed detailed discussion, but that could be reviewed by the company’s legal team and then signed.

Once the contract was concluded, people finally ate and drank, celebrating the formation of the tag team.

In particular, Director Bang and Deputy Manager Shin from CVN, and officials from C&J Entertainment, couldn’t stop smiling from beginning to end.

They had moved from a rowboat about to sink to a corvette, so they were happy.

‘Anyway, can’t we fight?’

When he ran into him in the bathroom, Deputy Manager Shin, his face red with alcohol, confided his innermost feelings.

‘Actually, there were rumors that our team would be swept away if we only lasted until this year. Saying that either people would be replaced or the department would disappear.’

‘Is that so.’

‘Yes. So, when the head of headquarters found out that he was a classmate of the actor, we joked among ourselves that we might end up working together. But you really came…'”

Eventually, Deputy Manager Shin even grabbed his hand before turning on the water.

Not only the broadcasting station officials, but also writer Young Do-eun and PD Jeon In-woo had expressions that were more expectant than worried.

C&J is already known for having a lot of money.

They’re setting up the production environment, such as the staff and set, to the highest quality, and even filling the problematic actor supply with Roman’s members, led by Park Geon? It’s a tempting offer even for the writers and directors.

‘Besides… there was also the benefit of the camera test at the meeting.’

The harmony that had been stirring since reading the scenario flared up as soon as filming began.

He was prepared to blow off about a season, but if this happens, he can also fully commit to this.

Park Seon, who only drank soda instead of alcohol throughout the meeting, started the car and asked.

“But, hyung, did it come? You know, that feeling. I was dying to ask.”

“Well. I was going to do it anyway, whether it came or not this time…”

“Oh, really?”

If a dog in a village school recites poetry for three years, it will recite the moon [an idiom meaning that even someone with little talent can achieve something with enough effort]. Perhaps he had grasped the changed hyung, his round eyes were full of anticipation.

Geon smiled at his brother.

“It came on strong. I think I can do well.”

“That’s it! As expected, that’s why you’re a scandal crusher, a man who doesn’t know romance, and a man where the great fortune of the universe gathers.”

“There hasn’t been a school violence scandal yet.”

“Then, a kiss rejectionist?”

“…That title feels strangely bad.”

Park Seon, who was giggling, suddenly opened his mouth wide.

“Oh, now that I think about it, hyung. Who do you think will be chosen as the female lead this time? Ms. Baek Ha-ni or Ms. Jin Ji-yu?”

“Well, I don’t care who it is.”

The supplies prepared for today’s audition were still hanging around his waist.

Looking into the fierce eyes of the wooden mask called ‘Baekjeongtal’ or ‘Huigwangital’ [Butcher’s Mask], Geon recalled the memory from a few hours ago.

“I hope it’s someone who’s good.”

The role he will be playing this time in ‘Butcher and General’ is Lee Cheon-in, a Joseon [Korean Dynasty] outcast.

Like slaughtering a bull in a Byeolshin-gut [Korean shamanic ritual] mask dance, he is the son of a butcher who confronts the Japanese with a knife and axe.

*

The next day at noon.

This time, an invited guest visited writer Young Do-eun’s studio.

“It smells good. Did the writer get some sleep?”

“I couldn’t sleep. I drank so much that I couldn’t sleep, so I’ve been looking at the scenario again, checking what to point out, and checking if there’s anything to fix.”

“Well… now it’s a 40 billion won blockbuster.”

PD Jeon In-woo, whose thick sideburns continued to his beard, sipped his coffee.

The mug in his thick hand looked like a child’s cup at first glance.

“I didn’t know we’d be on the same boat like this. I was so surprised yesterday. I heard that CVN was trying to scout Writer Young…”

“I didn’t have any intention from the beginning. But it’s a foul if they set up the board like that.”

Looking at writer Young Do-eun shaking her head, PD Jeon In-woo let out a bandit-like laugh.

“Hehehe, it was a jackpot in many ways.”

Jeon In-woo is a veteran who started at MBS and entered an outsourced production company, and Young Do-eun is a popular writer who has already celebrated her 12th debut anniversary.

Even for the two people who were used to production meetings, yesterday’s meeting was worthy of the word ‘all-time’.

‘We don’t spare money. Please send us whatever you need. As long as there’s a valid reason, it doesn’t matter how much the production cost exceeds.’

If the head of C&J, who said he would accept all the conditions, was a tiger, then the CEO of Roman, who proposed negotiations on the spot without saving face, was an Imoogi [mythical Korean serpent] in the lake.

‘The main character is Actor Park Geon, and the guarantee is 1.3 times more than the industry practice per episode. I hope you’ll treat the other supporting actors similarly.’

‘Is Gu Shin-seung or Choi Pil-rip possible?’

‘Shin-seung is already in the play, and Choi Pil-rip is a bit disappointing for the Yoshimoto role. We can give you actresses, but it’s difficult to plug in only two male actors.’

‘Anyway, the major roles will have to be filled within Roman and C&J.’

‘That’s why I’m saying this. If we use three top-tier actors only from our side, there may be a backlash.’

After a fierce debate, it was decided that two leads, including Park Geon, would go from Roman, and the rest would be filled by C&J actors and open auditions.

“By the way, it seems like the rumors are true.”

“What rumors?”

Jeon In-woo PD, who looked around for no reason even though there was no one listening, whispered.

“Doesn’t Writer Young know? The rumor that Roman has completely turned its back on DG-Joinus. That’s why they’re joining hands with CVN this time, to go head-to-head as a team.”

Writer Young Do-eun’s voice also lowered a tone.

“There was no mention of it at all during the meeting. There are a lot of high-ranking actors there, regardless of gender.”

“That’s right, there’s a reason for that.”

The two, who made eye contact, nodded with serious expressions as if sharing a secret.

Young Do-eun, who took a sip of coffee, asked.

“But, PD, are you okay?”

“Me? What is it?”

“You’re not affiliated with MBS anymore. I’m worried that if you drink a glass of poisoned soju [Korean distilled rice liquor] and the play collapses, you’ll have nowhere to go.”

PD Jeon In-woo burst into a hearty laugh.

“Our Writer Young, even with bad words. I won’t starve with my skills, so let’s predict the casting.”

“Well… is there anything else? The supporting roles will be seated on their own, and I’m curious about the Song Yi-seol role. Who do you think will come, PD?”

“Of course, it’ll be one of Baek Ha-ni or Jin Ji-yu, right? There’s a kid from Puffing Dolls, I think they’re pushing her as an actress… After seeing her act yesterday, it’s absolutely impossible with Park Geon. She won’t even be able to pick up her bones and will be eliminated.”

He didn’t know about the Puffing or Dolls kid, but he strongly agreed with the rest of the words.

Yesterday’s memory was also shocking to Young Do-eun.

She was a little embarrassed that they were doing a camera test at the production meeting, and she was even more impressed when Park Geon suddenly took out the butcher’s mask.

She thought that the actor was showing sincerity in an audition where the role had already been decided.

‘I will slaughter all of you Japanese dogs, and even cut down that dirty Yanginyeokcheon (良人役賤) [derogatory term for foreigners]. I am the son of Mak-soe [butcher], not a Cheonmin [lowest class], but an Icheonin [outcast]!’

…She realized it after seeing the performance.

Park Geon was not trying to show sincerity. He was a activist and independence fighter who came from Gyeongseong [Old name for Seoul] to recreate the characters in her play in this world.

“Anyway, let’s wait. CEO Noh said he’d contact us by tomorrow.”

Will it be Baek Ha-ni or Jin Ji-yu?

Their acting skills are well-known, but that’s why they need to choose an image that fits the work even better.

The cracks in the main characters of the play… especially the female lead, are undoubtedly important.

Perhaps ‘Hyperion’ will also mobilize all the cards they have to create the best combination.

Seeing that the play doesn’t succeed just by pushing in top actors, they have to consider not only the compatibility between the leads but also with the work.

PD Jeon suddenly asked.

“Who do you personally want, Writer Young?”

“I like them all. Jin Ji-yu or Baek Ha-ni.”

“Hey, let’s not lie between pros. I know that CEO Noh would have done a survey behind my back besides me, given his personality. Just tell me who you chose then.”

The bandit-like nobleman has a hundred levels of awareness. Writer Young Do-eun mumbled and asked in return.

“Tell me your pick first, PD, and I’ll tell you too.”

“If it were me… unconditionally Jin Ji-yu. The two have different vibes, but Jin Ji-yu’s mask isn’t unsuitable for historical dramas either. From the director’s point of view, the actor who handles well is the best.”

“Ah, is that so.”

“Which side did the writer take?”

“I chose Baek Ha-ni.”

The choices of the writer and director were divided. Watching Jeon In-woo whistle with a ‘hoho’ expression, Young Do-eun also smiled slyly.

“PD. Shall we make a bet on who CEO Noh Joong-man will send?”

“Good. The losing side will pay for the first filming dinner.”

“I’ll take that and call until the wrap-up party.”

* * *