Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 129

129. Compensation or Obedience (1)

2022.03.09.

The atmosphere was strange from the moment I stood at the door. “I guess I was so happy to see you that I forgot to greet you. It’s understandable. Or maybe we’ve become so close that we forget to greet each other?” What nonsense is he spouting? Yeon-woo’s brow furrowed deeply. “Why are you here?” His wary eyes turned to Woo Do-gyeom, not to mention Director Ji, who seemed to have already lost his soul. Even Assistant Director Jo, the mediator, looked like he was about to lose his. ‘Even Yeon-woo is betraying me…!’ Assistant Director Jo’s eyes darted around as if he were Caesar betrayed by Brutus [referencing the famous betrayal in Roman history]. He didn’t know why Yeon-woo was so wary of Woo Do-gyeom. ‘There’s no need to tell him.’ There’s no need to shock him by telling him that this man has cold blood and will use anything to his advantage if he needs it. “I heard some news and came to see you. I thought it might be good to use it a little.” “Um, that’s right. The investor brought a proposal…” Assistant Director Jo quickly answered, seeing Yeon-woo’s questioning eyes. That guy? Really? Woo Do-gyeom smirked, raising one corner of his mouth at the distrustful gaze. “You don’t have to be so wary. It won’t be in a way that Gun doesn’t want.”

“…What is the proposal?” He asked Assistant Director Jo, but the answer came from Woo Do-gyeom. “There’s a rumor going around about the ending.” “The ending? Are you talking about the happy ending rumor?” “You know about it too? Then this will be quick.” Woo Do-gyeom leaned forward. “I’m thinking of using that to fish.”

* “What do you want to do?” “Isn’t it common sense to use it when they’re already buzzing and paying attention like that?” No. Since when did common sense change to be used in that way? Seeing that Yeon-woo’s expression wasn’t good, Assistant Director Jo, who had been anxiously watching, stepped in again. “Yeon-woo. We think it’s a pretty plausible method.” Thus began Assistant Director Jo’s explanation. “The investor brought his children to the set last time. And it seems like they were photographed and the pictures are circulating.” “Yes? You mean they actually came here? Why?” “Well, my children were begging to see a handsome *oppa* [term used by younger women to refer to older male friends or idols], and I had to use my influence.” Woo Do-gyeom shrugged as if he couldn’t help it. [Wow… what a flex.] Dong Ja-ryeong, who had been silent since entering the conference room, finally spoke up. Yeon-woo agreed. Woo Do-gyeom didn’t look like a man who would easily bury someone. His aura and the chilling energy he exuded were far from that of a ‘powerless’ head of household. Moreover, Woo Do-gyeom’s social status was enough to easily crush most people. But. What? Powerless? Even Dong Ja-ryeong would laugh. In fact, Dong Ja-ryeong was just snorting in disbelief. “So, I brought them once, and they were photographed? My children are so lovely that people can’t help but take pictures of them, so it can’t be helped.” [Truth] It’s amazing that a man like this cherishes his children so much. ‘Well, that’s why I went through all that trouble to break the curse.’ Yeon-woo paused, thinking that. “Wait a minute. Are you saying that using the happy ending rumor means using the children?” “As expected of Yeon-woo. You already know what I’m thinking without me even saying it?” Woo Do-gyeom smiled genuinely and clasped his hands together. “How about it? The bait for ‘fishing’ is my children, not someone else, so you don’t have to worry.”

“…” Woo Do-gyeom cherishes his children, so he wouldn’t use the same inhumane methods as before. But there was still something bothering him. “Did the children agree…?” “Of course, they did. They listened to the story and found it interesting.” Woo Do-gyeom’s answer cut off Yeon-woo’s worries. “But aren’t they too young?” “Gun. After seeing my children like that, are you still saying they’re young? My children are already excellent troublemakers.” They looked bright and intelligent when I first saw them. Now that their health has improved, they’re causing trouble with their sharper minds. “I don’t know who they take after. Besides, they need to gain various experiences from a young age to find what they want, right?” That was true. Especially for Yeon-woo, who was always rebelling against his predetermined fate, he could deeply sympathize. [He’s a bit of a psycho, but he’s not entirely wrong.] If his mother, Kang Yeon-hwa, hadn’t limited his choices from a young age, what would he be like now? Would he not have blindly rebelled against Madam Kang’s words? ‘Well, there’s no point in speculating about the past.’ Yeon-woo, having finished his short reverie, looked at Woo Do-gyeom. “But even if we fish by pretending the ending has changed, won’t it be obvious as soon as it’s released?” “Isn’t that up to the director’s ability to lead the film from there?” Woo Do-gyeom unclenched his hands and leaned back in his chair. “Like you said, there’s a limit to this method. But the reason I’m doing this fishing is for one reason only. How many viewers can we attract on the opening day?” It’s a genre film with inherent limitations, though it’s embarrassing to say it so bluntly. Even Yeon-woo accepted the casting not because he wanted it to be a hit, but to broaden his acting range. “We need to mobilize as many people as possible in the beginning to have a chance. We need to attract as much attention as possible to mobilize viewers. We need to bring the audience to the theater. In short, we need to increase the absolute value itself.”

“Let’s say the number of people who are fooled increases, and the expected number of viewers increases, as Woo Do-gyeom says. How are you going to handle it after that?” The more people who watch, the more likely the audience will not stand still if they are tricked by a movie that has been fished. Wouldn’t more complaints arise as the number of viewers increases? It was obvious that a backlash would have a more negative impact on the film’s success. But.

“Is there a need to handle it?” Woo Do-gyeom’s answer deviated from expectations. “…?” “As I said before, it’s up to the movie after that. Once we’ve dragged them in, if they’re satisfied after watching it, they won’t care about the fake marketing. The movie just needs to be attractive enough that they can’t protest.” A response that felt even resolute. It was Director Ji, who had been *넋이 나가있던* [넋이 나가다 (neoksi nagada) describes a state of being completely stunned or spaced out, as if one’s soul has left the body] as if his soul had left his body, who reacted to it. “Isn’t that right, Director Ji?” A provocative smile was directed at Director Ji. [Oh, Yeon-woo. That bear is suddenly coming to life?] As Dong Ja-ryeong said, Director Ji’s eyes, which had always been shyly lowered, were now shining brightly. “If Yeon-woo is so worried, it must mean the movie isn’t very good.” “Don’t make ridiculous assumptions, Woo Do-gyeom.” “But if the movie is attractive enough to offset the anger, as I said, then everything will be resolved.” It’s certain. Woo Do-gyeom is definitely provoking Director Ji right now. ‘It’s not wrong, but…’ I can’t understand how someone with such a messed-up mentality can say such things in front of the person involved. Is this guy’s social skills okay? ‘No, does he not need to develop social skills…?’ I can understand why his personality is so messed up, since he doesn’t have to cater to anyone’s whims and they’ll just bow down to him. “Woo Do-gyeom, enough…” Yeon-woo sighed and opened his mouth to stop him. “There won’t be a problem.” A heavy voice, different from his usual one, interjected. “Can I trust you? If the movie self-destructs because of the method I came up with, then there’s no need to use this method.” Woo Do-gyeom immediately replied cynically. “It’s a shame I invested, but I can just say I had too many expectations and move on. Of course.” Woo Do-gyeom paused and turned his gaze to Yeon-woo. “I can give Yeon-woo another role. This time, I’ll find a director and script that are sure to be a hit.” Woo Do-gyeom definitely had the power to do that. In fact, even now, if he wanted to, Woo Do-gyeom had the ability to force even this small-scale film onto the hit train. The problem is that he would have to use all sorts of dirty methods to do so. Frankly, I wouldn’t be happy even if it succeeded in that way. How much influence could it have on the audience gathered in that way? ‘It’s also a matter of pride.’ This movie can be successful enough without Woo Do-gyeom’s bulldozer-like push. It’s not like I have the ability to predict success, and I can’t see someone’s aura like Kwon Seong-hyeon, but my decades of trained intuition are already telling me. ‘Why is this guy doing this?’ No matter how much of a psychopath Woo Do-gyeom is, and even if his social skills are zero, he’s always been cautious around Yeon-woo. [I feel like something’s off about him.] Dong Ja-ryeong, who had been watching, added a word. [Even if he’s crazy, it’s hard to act this crazy so openly.] I agreed. It’s like he’s deliberately provoking me more. ‘He’s a man who knows enough about what I don’t want.’ I don’t know why he’s doing this. This time’s provocation, which openly dismisses me, has worked very well. “I will make sure there are no problems.” The man, who was just a big, *순둥하던* [순둥하다 (sundunghada) describes someone who is gentle, docile, and innocent-looking], bear, was now properly fired up. “I will gratefully accept the method you have suggested…”

“Think carefully before you answer. Don’t blame me if you’re forced into it.” “I have no intention of doing that…” His drawn-out tone is still the same, but he speaks clearly and distinctly without hesitation. That’s when Yeon-woo realized. ‘He went over voluntarily.’ I thought he was being swayed by Woo Do-gyeom, but that wasn’t the case. Rather, he’s deliberately going along with it. ‘Did Director Ji have this side to him?’ This is what it means to say that a person looks completely different. “I will never… disappoint you.” Director Ji’s eyes stared straight at Yeon-woo, as if vowing to himself, or as if promising Yeon-woo. “Okay. Then everything’s settled?” Clap clap! A cheerful clapping sound brightened the atmosphere. “Okay. Therefore… my children will continue to come to the set during the additional filming period.” A smooth smile hung on Woo Do-gyeom’s lips. “I feel very reassured that the director is so confident. This is a very sincere fishing trip involving my children, so I hope you succeed as you said.” Woo Do-gyeom finished speaking and stood up. Then he nodded towards Yeon-woo. “I have to go now. I have a schedule. I’ll bring the children next time. It would be nice if Yeon-woo would see me off.” His attitude is so confident that he has to do it. “Yeon-woo… please see him off…” Assistant Director Jo asked in a dying voice. He felt like his soul had been completely *털린* [털리다 (teollida) describes a state of being completely robbed or cleaned out, often used metaphorically to describe emotional or mental exhaustion] by the sudden conflict between the director and the investor. Next to him, Director Ji, who seemed to have burned everything in that short moment, had returned to his original state. “Why did you do that there?” Yeon-woo asked, unintentionally taking Woo Do-gyeom outside the building. As he pressed the elevator button, the numbers began to change and rise. “Do you know that what you just did was very rude?” “Cut me some slack.” An unexpected answer came instead of saying he didn’t know. “I’m trying to make up for it.”