Former Warrior Turns Into A Million-Dollar Actor [EN]: Chapter 94

The Victor in a Whale Fight (2)

* * *

Roman Entertainment.

These days, the PR team was truly experiencing ‘happy work’.

Although they were busy, the lack of mental stress made their work efficiency much better.

First, on the idol side.

Quantum and Puffing Dolls were on the rise, and the debut team of the new group being prepared was also receiving positive responses.

Although the departure of Wow Kidz had weakened the few male idol lineups they had, the thriving girl groups more than filled that gap.

“Team Leader, Si-young’s single surpassed Blackthorn and charted at 20th. If we can manage stage performances in parallel, it could create synergy even if it overlaps with Puffing Dolls’ activities, right?”

“She has experience with unit activities, so she’ll do well. She’s also very enthusiastic, saying she won’t cause trouble for her older members.”

Next, there were the actors, who were strong from the start.

In particular, the leading members were active across both the small and big screens. Choi Phillip and Gu Shin-seung achieved moderate success or better, and Jin Ji-yoo was in the process of negotiating a contract for a major project in the second half of the year.

And the two people who entered CVN’s ambitious project…

“Wow, it’s still brutal even after seeing it again. Who releases a kiss scene making film in the same week it airs?”

“Plus, they put quite a bit of effort into it, right? They even added corrections, even though it’s supposed to be a short-form making film.”

“PD [Production Director] Jeon In-woo’s style is originally like that. He never does anything half-heartedly, even when dropping a hint.”

This Monday, a making film from ‘Butcher General’ was leaked and spread.

It wasn’t a nicely edited official version, and it was practically a preview of this week’s filming, but it was enough to excite the fans.

Because the kiss scene between Park Geon and Baek Ha-ni was right there in the latter half of the video.

A gray-haired man sitting backward on a swivel chair, looking at his phone, exclaimed.

“That filming team over there used their heads well. They filmed the back view on purpose, making that angle something people can’t help but wonder about. It feels like the malicious marketing they do in the idol scene.”

Today, Chief Moon Woo-jae visited the PR office for the first time in a while.

If Yoo Joon-il oversees the planning and management of the actors, Moon Woo-jae is in charge of the idols.

Team Leader Gong looked at the clock and smiled contentedly.

“Chief, do you know that feeling of being full even when you haven’t eaten? That’s how I feel when I look at our actors these days.”

“Hey, isn’t that idol discrimination? Joon-il gets cocky because you favor the actors, Team Leader Gong.”

Having joined the company at the same time, the two chiefs’ friendship, who had risen from the ranks, was well-known within Roman.

A male employee from the PR team quickly chimed in.

“No, this time it’s really amazing. The fact that Baek Ha-ni entered a project and there’s no noise. It feels like a hidden camera.”

“That’s true. Baek Ha-ni not causing accidents is like hot ice [an oxymoron, like ‘jumbo shrimp’].”

Other employees agreed.

The self-proclaimed top troublemaker of Roman was suspiciously quiet.

It was true that Baek Ha-ni had rarely caused major incidents, but there had been many minor disturbances.

She even stood up to the agency’s CEO, so would she be afraid of a PD or writer? The PR team always had to clean up after her, but this time there was no news for some reason.

A female employee suggested a new possibility.

“Maybe she set a goal to control her temper as a New Year’s resolution? Or maybe a clause like ‘strict prohibition of violence’ was included in her contract renewal…”

“Oh, Baek Ha-ni, who said she works to death because she hates holding back? She’d probably get sick of it and retire from the entertainment industry.”

“You both don’t know anything. Actor Park has a firm grip on her.”

At Team Leader Gong’s assertion, the male and female employees who had been arguing blinked.

Come to think of it… Park Geon entered filming with Baek Ha-ni this time.

Park Geon’s character was also well-established. They thought it would be a relief if they didn’t fight, but could it be that he even tamed her nasty temper?

Chief Moon, who had been listening, chuckled and chimed in.

“Wow, he’s practically a superhero? I should buy him a gift and make a good impression when he finishes the project. It’s hard being in charge of idols.”

“Chief Moon, I heard you’re drawing a line. Rumor has it that you’re avoiding the actor team leaders because you’re taking over the idol scene.”

“Avoiding! I’m just busy, but I keep up with all the family news. Besides, everyone, from the debut team and everything, only talks about Actor Park, so how could I not know…”

Chief Moon, who had been making a fuss, suddenly trailed off.

A female employee, who had been checking articles and indicators on three monitors, said in a serious tone.

“Team Leader, I think you should see this.”

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

Team Leader Gong turned on her iPad, and the male employee next to her also pulled up a chair, muttering, “Did Baek Ha-ni really cause an accident?”

“I thought it was about time to blow up, looks like she’s slowly starting the train to hell.”

However, the news was about a different house than they expected. The female employee’s lips curled up subtly.

“It’s about our ‘Gapjilperion’ folks [Gapjil refers to abuse of power by someone in a superior position].”

*

KBC PR Office.

A nuclear bomb fell on that place, which was always in a state of war like other broadcasting stations.

“Hey, who’s the primary distributor? Where did it spread from?!”

“I don’t know, it’s not just one or two people!”

“Call the reporters and tell them to take down any unconfirmed facts! They were happy to eat when we fed them, but where’s the manners in stabbing us in the back now that they’ve found something to pick on?”

The PR team leader, who had been shouting, ruffled his hair nervously.

“Useless bastards…”

He said that, but the situation had already grown to the point where it couldn’t be stopped even with a hoe, let alone a shovel.

Actress S’s abuse of power controversy.

The news that broke just two hours ago had now spread to the point where anyone in this industry would know about it.

The content was also concise. At the filming site of a major project, a popular actress habitually used abusive language and violence against staff and extras.

As with most articles in this field, even if they didn’t mention her real name, it was easy enough to identify the protagonist as Gi Eun-bin of Hyperion.

“But why is something else coming out again?!”

If it had stopped there, they might have been able to somehow block it. The media company that first published the article was small, and DG’s PR and legal teams would have moved to handle it.

However, the bomb that exploded wasn’t just one.

[Actress K, Another Controversy Over Abusive Language and Abuse of Power]

[Reports from Filming Staff Pouring In… “I Was a Victim Too”]

[Is It Really Impossible to Eradicate ‘Abuse of Power’ on Filming Sets, Which Is Considered a Natural Practice?]

As if they had made a promise, articles that followed up with second and third reports came up one after another, stabbing at the wound.

Originally, one-on-one situations favor the larger side.

If it’s just one person’s claim, you can suppress it with size and cover it up. However, when there are multiple victims, and they even bring up past incidents, it’s a different story.

“Team Leader Jang, what’s going on?”

CP [Chief Producer] Oh burst into the PR office, slamming the door open. He was so rushed that he had buttoned his shirt with the buttons misaligned.

“We don’t know either. DG thinks an internal person leaked it, but they can’t identify who it is.”

“What do you mean they can’t identify it? It’s not like Gi Eun-seo went around cursing at everyone she saw, so how can’t they find that one person? What kind of PR team is this…”

“It’s not just one or two people!”

In the end, they lost it too. The PR team leader also gritted his teeth and snapped back.

“What, what is it?”

“As CP said, it would have been fortunate if she had only done it to one or two people. Right now, the works that Gi Eun-seo caused a ruckus in, the list of teams that were victimized, the curses she used, and even personal attacks are all spreading on social media. How are we supposed to find all of that?”

CP Oh Shin-cheol’s legs gave way. Abuse of power controversies have a greater impact on dramas that are currently being filmed.

The guarantee had already been eaten up.

The actor can return when things quiet down with the support of their fixed fandom, but it’s a different story for a drama that has only aired a dozen or so episodes at best.

In the worst-case scenario, it could be cut short. Even if it doesn’t, the viewership ratings right in front of us…

“Oh, today’s the airing date. What about the viewers’ bulletin board? We need to close it down by claiming there’s a traffic problem…”

“It’s already exploded.”

“Exploded? What exploded?”

The PR team leader sighed deeply with a pathetic expression and held his work phone in front of CP Oh’s eyes.

“Our bulletin board. It’s been cursed so much that it exploded before we could even close it.”

*

PD Jeon In-woo came up to Seoul after a long time. He stopped by his house for the first time in a while, and after having dinner with his family, he went to work at the CVN main control room.

“You’re here, PD?”

“It’s been a while. How have you all been?”

“Oh, of course, we’re doing well. We even saw that article today, so how could we not be doing well?”

“I feel like I’ve gotten rid of ten years of indigestion. The KBC PR team guys probably don’t even have the time to monitor because they’re so busy putting out fires.”

It was bad news for the terrestrial broadcasters who had been keeping them in check, especially KBC, who had been the most extreme.

The atmosphere in the industry was that it was bound to happen. From the perspective of those watching, it felt like they had downed a whole bottle of sesame salt and sesame oil [a metaphor for feeling extremely satisfied or vindicated].

“They’re already groggy. Let’s hit them hard today and make sure they can’t get up.”

“Hehehe, of course. I even told my acquaintances to make sure to watch it.”

Writer Young Do-eun, who was busy writing, was absent, but most of the C&J and CVN family members gathered. Shortly after, Director Bang Seong-il also came in with Team Leader Jo Byung-gil.

“Oh, Director!”

“Make yourselves comfortable. I heard today’s episode is highly anticipated, so I came with Team Leader Jo to monitor it. Let’s enjoy it.”

People thought it was just that when the director appeared, but people’s pupils shook at the next guest. None other than the head of C&J had appeared.

Head Jin Gyu-il, who had dismissed his entourage, sat calmly on a chair without a backrest.

“Director Jeon, I always hear about you. Please work a little harder until the end.”

“No, it’s thanks to you, Head, that we’re filming without any shortages.”

“It’s just what the investment company should do. If you need anything else, please let Chief Shin know.”

In fact, Jin Gyu-il is the one who controls not only all of CVN’s businesses but also C&J’s entertainment in general.

The director swallowed hard and asked cautiously.

“Head, what brings you here to monitor…”

“Ah, today…”

The young head of Changjin Group has a reputation for being thoroughly practical. The expressions of others also showed that they were wondering, ‘Why did this guy come here?’

A smile, which was rarely seen, crossed the lips of Head Jin Gyu-il.

“I heard there’s a fun scene coming out.”

*

The drama’s curtain rose.

In the meantime, Butcher General had gradually built up the narratives of the main characters.

Lee Cheon-in, the son of an outcast butcher who hates both Joseon [historical Korean kingdom] and Japan.

Song Yi-seol, the granddaughter of Lord Song Byeol-hak, who is despised as a pro-Japanese traitor, and a tragic independence activist.

Lee Jeong-nyeong, who became the leader at a young age after her uncle, who was originally the leader of the Gyeongseong [old name for Seoul] Independence Army, died.

Haruka, the third daughter of the Governor-General, who came to hate all Joseon people due to her mother’s death.

Shuhei of Hwangwoohoe, a fallen army warlord and the last remaining samurai.

Terribly attractive groups of people are swept up in the turbulent currents of the times.

Jo Hyun-ah, Lee Dong-soo, Oh Min-woo, and other supporting characters, not only fulfilled their roles sufficiently but also exceeded expectations, even though they were overshadowed by the impact of Park Geon and Baek Ha-ni.

In particular, Haruka, played by Jo Hyun-ah, delicately expressed the complex ambivalence of being hostile to Joseon while falling for Lee Cheon-in.

-Haruka. I know that your father is the Governor-General and your uncle is the Chief of Political Affairs. Didn’t you set foot on Joseon land to avenge your mother?

-Cheon-in, don’t misunderstand. Even if I were to eliminate all Joseon people, I would definitely save you…

-They are dirty compatriots and an ugly race, but I cannot support their invasion. Decide here. Whether you will stand with me against my father, or turn me into your enemy.

And then, an all-time great battle scene that will go down in the history of period dramas begins.

-It’s the Butcher Mask, the Butcher Mask has come!

-Blow the trumpet! Call for more support!

The Butcher Mask, who fell from the top of the Governor-General’s building holding the Taegeukgi [South Korean flag].

Lee Cheon-in cuts, chops, and crushes the Japanese police officers of the Governor-General’s office and Jongno Police Station with terrifying martial arts.

However, he is gradually pushed back by the dozens of times more numbers, and eventually, he is shot by Lee Gyun, the head of the Jongno Police Station, while trying to save the members of the Independence Army.

In the end, Lee Cheon-in collapses at the entrance of the hideout. While wandering in a daze due to high fever and shock, he sees a vision of his father in his confused consciousness.

-You’re still crying, my son.

-I am not crying.

-Then?

-I am happy. Because in this land that has returned… I can burn everything that despised and mistreated us, both Joseon and Japanese.

The two butcher fathers and sons face each other.

Like that time in his memory, his father, wearing a shabby leather apron, caresses Lee Cheon-in’s cheek with a sad expression. But the touch of the dead does not reach the living and fades away.

-Anger cannot be the answer.

-Forgiveness can never be the answer. The stroke that carves history is a sword, not a brush.

-My son, Cheon-in. You are truly…

When the hallucination disappeared and he opened his eyes, Song Yi-seol was right in front of him.

-I’ve always wanted to see your real face.

-Everyone who was with me died. You will get hurt the same way.

-I decide my own destiny.

As the atmosphere between the two actors became unusual, comments began to flood the community bulletin board, where people shared their impressions in real-time.

-Could it be? One?????

-The making film ‘that’…?

-Something big is coming

-Young Do-eun! Young Do-eun! Young Do-eun! Young Do-eun!

-No, Cheon-in, please!!!

-Kiss (clap) Kiss (clap)

Imagination becomes reality.

In a highly charged atmosphere, Lee Cheon-in and Song Yi-seol’s lips met.

-…

Like setting fire to the firewood that has been piled up so far, it was an affectionate yet passionate kiss.

The director and cinematographer put in a lot of effort, and the scene is illuminated from various angles without showing any signs of ending. Thanks to this, fans were able to watch Park Geon’s historic first kiss scene with a blank expression.

“Ah, no!”

And someone who was watching was shocked.

“…What is this…”

Jin Ji-yoo’s hand, who was monitoring with the ‘Four Queens’ members sitting around in the dorm, fell weakly.

Other members also screamed.

“Unnie [term for older sister or female friend], get a grip!”

“She’s not breathing! I can’t feel any air under her nose!”

The youngest made a fuss and shook her, but Jin Ji-yoo didn’t seem to feel anything. She just muttered with dead eyes like a frozen pollack.

“This can’t be happening… I was told there would be no kiss scene, and they would even give me a special appearance in the last episode. How could Writer Young do this to me…”

“The making film already came out, what are you talking about? Get a grip!”

“Bring water, water!”

“It’s over… Someone do CPR, how can she lose her mind with just one kiss?”

The mental breakdown of the former leader is a rare sight to see. The youngest grabbed her stomach and giggled, and over there, other members took out their smartphones and took pictures.

In the meantime, the current leader, Im Ah-hee, slyly approached and whispered wickedly in Jin Ji-yoo’s ear.

“Hey, Jin Ji-yoo.”

Jin Ji-yoo, who was so shocked, turned around without even getting angry. Soon, the devil’s whisper dug into her ear like a lick.

“You, you just lost that oppa [term for older brother or male friend].”

The focus returned to her vacant eyes. Soon, Jin Ji-yoo shook her head a few times and replied.

“What are you talking about? It’s just a drama kiss scene. Besides, was oppa ever mine?”

“Guys, did you hear that? She said oppa, oppa.”

Im Ah-hee shouted with a hypocritical expression, but the mental victory of a professional actor was not easy.

“I’m really okay, women who are obsessed are not attractive. What… what was it called, Haya woman [likely a reference to a past trend or meme]? Yes, it was Haya woman.”

“Wow, why are you using a meme from so long ago now?”

“Leave her alone. Our unnie is old.”

While the hyenas were excitedly tearing her apart, Jin Ji-yoo, who got up creaking, picked up her cell phone.

A bleak smile spread across her face, which had been blank as if she had lost her mind.

“Well, what, I can just call him now. Baek Ha-ni did it in the work, so I’ll do it when there’s no camera. The broadcast time is also coming to an end…”

Even if she was teasing her unnie, she couldn’t let her lose her face as a human being.

The terrified members tackled Jin Ji-yoo, who was struggling over the sofa, and snatched her cell phone.

“Min-hye, grab this arm!”

“Stop her from doing anything weird, take the phone first!”

“She’s completely lost it, completely lost it.”

“Let go of me! I’m going to go and destroy everything in the special appearance… !”

* * *