Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 79

The Former Hero is a Ten Million Actor – Episode 79 (79/199)

The Butcher, Lee Cheon-in (5)

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What’s the biggest career blow for an actor?

Undoubtedly, it’s ‘sexual harassment,’ sex-related scandals, drug use, and school violence.

Then, what about problems during a production?

There are several ways to create issues, but for a historical drama, nothing is easier or more effective than finding fault with historical inaccuracies.

Add to that colonial historical perspectives and historical distortion, and you’ve truly got a ‘controversy cheat key.’

“I know. Historical accuracy and all that, we can all adhere to it. It’s not like this is some delusional fantasy written in a room. Why wouldn’t a screenwriter who’s putting on a play with someone else’s money know that?”

In CVN’s empty conference room, PD [Production Director] Jeon In-woo listens intently to writer Young Do-eun’s words.

“…It’s just not fun. If that’s the case, we might as well film a documentary instead of a period drama.”

This is precisely the dilemma of historical dramas.

From 1910 to 1945, there are many records and materials about the Japanese colonial period of about 35 years in Korea.

If you wanted to, you could perfectly verify everything from clothing to etiquette, the dialogue of the main characters, and the historical situation in the play… but if you did that, it wouldn’t be entertaining.

Therefore, unless it’s an educational broadcast, historical accuracy controversies are an unavoidable issue for historical dramas. The problem is when this issue escalates to historical distortion.

“Writer Young, are you okay? You don’t look well.”

“I’m fine. My bad complexion is because of reflux esophagitis. It’s been severe since the day before yesterday, so I went to the emergency room.”

Even though a school of sharks is tearing apart her work, writer Young Do-eun remains calm.

Earlier, when she was checking the viewership ratings in the CVN master control room and received an urgent report, she had the same expression.

Broadcasting station officials and those called department heads, deputy department heads, and team leaders rushed over, worried for a long time, but writer Young Do-eun simply said calmly.

‘It’s okay. There’s no need to pay special attention. I expected this much anyway.’

PD Jeon In-woo, who has known her for a long time, knows this expression.

That is the expression Young Writer makes when she is really angry, for example, when a guy who came in as the lead talks about the amount of supporting roles or interferes with the development of the play.

“…These bastards, they’re being unnecessarily detailed.”

PD Jeon In-woo gritted his teeth and reviewed the data that CVN employees had compiled again.

As the play was nearing its premiere, a lengthy post was uploaded to the viewers’ bulletin board and drama communities.

Starting with the clothing and customs of the enlightenment period, they nitpicked everything from the historical accuracy of butchers living in the heart of Gyeongseong [old name for Seoul] to the appearance of Japanese policemen, and ultimately cleverly framed it as ‘pro-Japanese glorification’ and ‘insulting ancestors.’

-Although only the first episode has aired, ‘Butcher General’ has the victim and perpetrator reversed. The culture of Joseon [historical Korean kingdom] depicted by the writer is uncivilized, and in order to give the protagonist a crisis and narrative, it emphasizes the ‘ethnicity that discriminates against status and abandons compatriots.’ This is purely a colonial historical view element to add fun……

PD Jeon In-woo, who was reading the original text, sighed.

“This isn’t just one person. They hired several experts in advance, watched while comparing in real time, and uploaded the post and released the article to coincide with the end of the play. They even had a data book open in front of them because they were confused themselves.”

“They must have been preparing since we announced we were doing a historical drama. There’s no better way to attack historical dramas than this.”

Following writer Young Do-eun’s words, a new voice chimed in.

“But is this all there is?”

“……Yes?”

The two producers’ gazes turned to one side. In addition to them, one of the lead actors of the drama had also arrived at this spot earlier.

Park Geon tucked his smartphone into his pocket as if his energy was draining away.

“It’s less than I thought. I thought they’d throw tear gas at the filming set or something.”

“…That’s a crime. By the way, what brings Actor Park to Sangam [neighborhood in Seoul where many broadcasting stations are located]……”

“I’m an actor in the show. I have a duty to take care of the drama’s current situation together.”

Writer Young Do-eun looked to the side. PD Jeon In-woo shrugged his shoulders with an expression that said, ‘I didn’t say anything,’ and Park Geon asked again.

“Will this controversy have a significant impact on viewership ratings? In a negative way.”

Young Do-eun nodded.

“As Park Geon also knows, my script does not glorify either Joseon or Japan. I have no intention of modifying it to suit other people’s tastes. So if it goes on like this……”

“Those guys will keep barking. If we change it, they’ll mock it as a historical drama without conviction. It’s exactly the kind of situation that Byung Seo-han would plan.”

The first episode of a drama is as important as the first week of a movie, the number of viewers on the first day of release.

Now that they’ve carefully prepared and spread the poop, the drama has become one that carries controversy whether it’s fixed or not.

“Then that means there’s no big problem. As long as we can raise the viewership ratings even more.”

“Well… I guess so?”

A shadow falls on PD Jeon In-woo’s face as he answers.

The solution is simple: no matter what they’re saying and doing outside, if we just film the drama well… but since it’s something people are doing, I’m worried about the morale of the filming set.

Park Geon called out to the two of them without a care.

“Writer, Director.”

The now familiar, mid-low voice flows into their ears. Young Do-eun and Jeon In-woo straightened their posture without realizing it.

“This is a fight we have no reason to lose. You’re already doing a good job, so don’t waver. The Butcher’s Mask hasn’t even come out yet.”

Even if they are veterans who have experienced all kinds of hardships, if they have a lot to bear, their backs will bend.

Their minds calm down at the calm advice, and the narrowed field of vision returns to normal.

“Director, please continue to control the set as you have been, and Writer, please continue to write the script with conviction. I will reassure the anxious actors.”

Park Geon says to the two people, whose expressions are quite different from before.

“We have to cover up the controversy with a new controversy.”

*

In the CVN lobby, Geon ran into a familiar face.

It was the group of Director Jin Gyu-il, who was walking busily with his entourage.

“That’s enough, go inside.”

Jin Gyu-il, who pushed back the entourage from the back, checked his wristwatch.

“I didn’t expect you to come, but I met you just right. Do you have about five minutes?”

Because it was late, the lobby was deserted except for security guards and a few employees.

The two did not go up to the headquarters office and strolled around the spacious first-floor lounge.

“It’s them, isn’t it?”

He must have received a report that there was a commotion, but Jin Gyu-il didn’t seem to feel any sense of crisis.

He, too, must have assumed this level of attack.

“It hasn’t been confirmed, but it’s obvious. It’s an effective jab to test our stamina.”

“Then we’ll have to hold out even more here.”

“Just holding out isn’t enough.”

Park Geon, who was walking, turned to the side. Jin Gyu-il, who had stopped walking, tilted his head slightly.

“Malicious media play is within the legally permissible range. We have to overwhelm them in everything from viewership ratings to topicality, and make them throw their cards because they can’t stand it.”

That’s how you get justification. Both of them knew the unspoken words.

Park Geon replied as if it were nothing.

“It will be. In 10 episodes, maybe even in 6 episodes.”

Weeks have passed since filming began, but his complexion is the same as the last time I saw him. It means that the grueling schedule of going back and forth between Buyeo [city in South Chungcheong Province] was easy.

Jin Gyu-il nodded.

“I’ve told them to contact me if they spot any movement. Have you made acquaintances with Team Leader 1?”

“I’ve seen him from afar.”

“Then that’s good. He’s a talented person, so he’ll bring you even bones soon.”

Actors who are filming a work are busy, but the third son of a chaebol [family-owned conglomerate] family who is at the forefront of the family business is even busier than that.

Director Jin Gyu-il, who was pressing between his eyes with a tired face, asked.

“But are you really going to move yourself? You can leave it to our side even now. I’m not ignoring your experience, but……”

“My experience?”

For the first time, a question was asked back. Jin Gyu-il remained silent because it was not an tone that wanted an answer.

“I don’t need that kind of thing. I forgot about it a long time ago.”

Park Geon, who muttered in a low voice as if talking to himself, turned to the lobby.

It was exactly five minutes after Jin Gyu-il looked at his wristwatch.

“Let’s go soon. You must have a lot to do.”

*

The next day, the atmosphere at the filming site was, to put it mildly, like a funeral home.

“What’s wrong, everyone? Is there anything bad going on? Should I treat you to grilled pork ribs after filming today? Should I give you a proper oil change? Huh?”

PD Jeon In-woo struggles to change the atmosphere, but no one responds.

The CVN assistant director, who was next to him, sighed and pointed out.

“Director, you said that last time and you didn’t treat us. You said it was beef ribs, so the filming team didn’t even go home and waited.”

“…I have three children, I’m sorry.”

“……”

It was when Jo Hyun-ah, who was looking at the production crew’s misery with pitiful eyes, turned around.

Another ace of the filming set appeared.

“Hani, you came early!”

“Yes, Director.”

It was thirty minutes before filming, so she was already dressed in a hanbok [traditional Korean clothing] that was popular during the enlightenment period.

Baek Hani, who greeted Jeon In-woo, walked across the set towards her. A large manager hurriedly followed behind her.

‘What’s wrong with her? She’s been ignoring me until now.’

As Jo Hyun-ah was wary, Baek Hani came up and bowed her head.

“Hello, senior.”

“Yes. What brings Hani to me?”

They have never had a personal relationship, let alone a conversation.

However, Baek Hani didn’t seem to care about that. She said expressionlessly with a white face that made you wonder what she had applied.

“I have a favor to ask.”

That Baek Hani, asking for a favor? Her reaction was slow because it was a unbelievable word.

When there was no response from Jo Hyun-ah, Baek Hani seemed to take it as a sign of refusal. She still bit her lower lip with a haughty expression, and muttered like a child writing a self-reflection that she hated to death.

“If I made any mistakes to you, senior……”

“No, there’s nothing like that. I was just a little surprised because it was a sudden request. And it’s Hani, not someone else, asking me?”

Baek Hani didn’t answer, but her expression said, ‘I know, right.’

Jo Hyun-ah held back her laughter and asked.

“So, what’s the favor you’re asking for?”

*

“No, this is a really big deal! It’s not like the actor should be stubborn.”

“The set is over three or four meters high, it looks low, but if you go up, it’s one floor of an apartment, one floor!”

“I went up during the first filming too.”

“It’s different now than it was then!”

That afternoon, a small argument broke out at the filming site.

Today, they were scheduled to film an action sequence in which they would run across the roofs of houses in Gyeongseong and shake off the pursuit of Japanese policemen.

However, the lead actor in charge of the action, who plays the Butcher’s Mask, said that he would not wear a wire.

Military arts director Do Jong-woo tried to persuade him again.

“Director Seo is right. It’s one floor of an apartment, and some places are over two floors, so how can you climb there with your bare body? No matter how well Actor Park uses his body, what if you slip……”

Director of Photography Seo Eung-seo also supports Do Jong-woo, spitting as if he would die if he fell behind.

“The filming will stop immediately, and we, who didn’t stop you, will become traitors. The moment you get a cast, you won’t be able to shoot anything other than bust shots, and it’s a historical drama where you have to wear straw shoes.”

Between 2 meters and 4 meters above the ground. It’s not a height that will kill you instantly if you fall, but it’s a height where you’re more likely to get hurt and break things.

Accidents are frequent, so even professional stuntmen always wear wires, and filming a scene with a mask that narrows your vision and your bare body is close to suicide.

Park Geon, who was surrounded by the two directors, nodded.

“I understand.”

Do Jong-woo, who doesn’t know his stubbornness yet, asks with a delighted expression at the unexpectedly docile acceptance.

“Okay, so you’re going to wear a wire, right?”

“No. Like you said, I’ll be careful not to get hurt.”

“…I’m going crazy, it’s not a problem that can be solved by being careful!”

“I don’t know, I really don’t know……”

The director of photography and the military arts director step back, making groaning sounds, and finally PD Jeon In-woo, who was watching, steps forward.

“Is there a reason why you can’t wear it? You won’t be able to see it on the screen anyway. Our crane is low, so the movement isn’t too awkward.”

“Because the outfit is a durumagi [traditional Korean overcoat], there are some parts that are in the way. There’s also a difference between jumping with actual athletic ability. And……”

Park Geon, who pointed out each item, looked back.

A stuntman wearing a wire, who had been whispering for a while, was standing there holding a small camcorder.

At this point, it’s strange not to know. The directors’ expressions change in various ways as they finally realize why he’s trying to do such a dangerous stunt.

A nonchalant voice flowed out.

“Tell them to verify this too, somewhere.”

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