Godsent Top Star [EN]: Chapter 95

Do You Know Verbal Karma? (3)

095. Do You Know Verbal Karma? (3)

2022.02.03.

The screen was filled with articles featuring photos from the event. Moreover, yesterday’s events were highlighted alongside today’s, receiving significant attention.
-Just giving expensive gifts isn’t everything. Sharing your heart is what truly matters.
-All my peers are trying mint chocolate after seeing this.
-Isn’t it like toothpaste? The reaction is really good? I should try it.
-The scale of the gifts is insane; It’s too hard to be a fan;;;
The comments on the articles were very favorable. People unfamiliar with support culture often view fans giving gifts to celebrities negatively. However, this support was different. Perhaps because the items were unusual as gifts, the reaction was fresh and witty. The impact didn’t stop there. For a moment, the movie title and Yeon-woo’s name were trending in real-time search.
‘…So, the real gift isn’t that giant fountain, but this?’
Not ending it as a one-time event but using it as a medium to gain something bigger. It was unfamiliar, but effective. I wondered why they put that eyesore there… As Yeon-woo’s mood softened, a voice whispered from the other end of the receiver, filled with a lazy smile.
-How is it? Are you a little satisfied?

***

“Romance is all about beautiful visuals. Isn’t visual beauty the real treat? Romance needs the unique sense of freedom and vibrant colors that nature provides!” Originally, all location shoots were planned domestically. With a limited budget, the process of scouting locations, obtaining permits, and seeking cooperation was not easy. One of the scenes is set in summer. It’s when the female and male leads first meet and fall in love, starting from their travels. It was the most heart-fluttering and thrilling part of the movie. However, finding such a place as we transition from autumn to winter was the biggest problem. “If necessary, we’ll use CG [Computer Graphics]. But that’s the last resort. Let’s find a location somehow. We can’t postpone filming until next year. If we search mainly in the south, we should find something suitable, right?” Director Ji was gloomy, wishing the crank-in [start of filming] had been a little earlier. Then, Director Ji did a 180-degree turn, shouting, ‘Indeed… love… summer…! Leisure…! Romance…! Lush nature…!’ The reason was simple. “I’m nervous… it’s my first time… flying first class…” “Director, it’s the same for me.” “Overseas films were always… economy…” Director Ji, who was twice the size of others, muttered. It felt like yesterday when he had to take economy class to overseas film festivals, leaving him aching all over. “I’m a little scared…” “What are you scared of, Director? Just enjoy the moment. When else would we meet such a generous investor?” “I guess…?” It was thanks to the generous investor who readily threw in a large sum of money. As a matter of fact, after hearing about the overseas location, Woo Do-gyeom had his secretary upgrade the seats for all the cast and staff. It seemed like a waste of money, but so what. ‘It’s comfortable and nice.’ Thanks to that, Yeon-woo was able to choose between the almost chartered first and business class seats and relax comfortably. But unlike his comfortable body, his mind was busy. The overseas location schedule overlapped with the drama OST [Original Soundtrack] schedule. ‘The ability to grasp intentions and compose isn’t all-powerful, I guess.’ The A+ grade ability ‘Composition that Moves Hearts’ received from Salieri. The ability only assists Yeon-woo; it wasn’t all-powerful. The case of grasping intentions was a bit different since it was blocked by a poker face… ‘Well. There’s a reason why grades are attached.’ Low-grade abilities had very weak expression levels. Conversely, high grades revealed very distinct abilities as the grade increased. However, there was a trap there too. ‘Why did my hearing have to improve?’ Ability correction is thoroughly expressed based on grade. In other words, if you want to produce a higher level of results, there is no use in receiving ability correction. And Yeon-woo was exactly in this situation.
-Hyungnim [term used to address an older male friend or brother]. That thing, the one I revealed on My TV show last time. The drama PD [Production Director] requested it, so I sent him a sample file? Since then, he keeps asking when it will be finished. I’ve done almost all the work, but it feels like something is 2% missing. I’ve been busy filming a movie, and I thought I might see something to fix later, so I’ve been keeping it on hold. Unfortunately, that schedule overlapped. It was supposed to be a drama for the new quarter, but unfortunately, I heard the sad news that the currently airing drama was about to end early.
‘By the way, I harvested quite a lot last time.’ Yeon-woo thought, looking down at the clouds outside the plane window. It would be nice if I could harvest very fruitful abilities this time as well. Half of the reason I welcomed the overseas location, which would definitely take up a lot of time, was because of this. ‘If necessary, I’ll have to find a breakthrough by combining abilities, so as much as possible. The more, the better.’ The reason Yeon-woo was putting in so much effort was simple. ‘Honestly, I’m curious, right?’ What would the effect of a proper OST be like? Just with street performances. With clumsy performance songs uploaded on the internet. Even with the self-composed songs that were improvised on the radio after the substitute was over. Even that much automatically harvested lifespan was quite substantial. How great would the effect be if it was broadcast as the main OST on a public broadcasting major drama? Moreover, this was a very elaborate work. ‘I’m really curious.’ So, I have to fill in the 2% missing part somehow. While pondering, the thirteen-hour flight time passed quickly. The motion sickness medicine I took in advance was very effective. ‘The effect is good.’ What was it? Kwon Seong-hyeon said he had the medicine made at a Korean medicine clinic. Anyway, a flight without motion sickness was really pleasant. And. As soon as Yeon-woo got off the plane and saw the swarming ghosts, he quickly became certain of one thing. That the hunt for abilities had begun.

***

The location was a secluded island in the South Pacific. It was a place where the main characters on a trip accidentally meet, and the natural scenery was as beautiful as Director Ji wanted. “Wow. What is this? The water is emerald colored?” “The real natural scenery is just a painting, a painting.” “See? I told you it would be amazing.” The location scouting manager, who had come for a preliminary survey, said with a proud face. “Finding a place that Director Ji will love is my specialty, right?” “Indeed… Manager Ma…” Director Ji immediately raised his thumb without saying much. In fact, Director Ji immediately chose the location as soon as he received the video. “Ahem! Then can I expect a bonus…?” “Of course…” The staff also praised the location manager all at once. “It feels like we’re on vacation.” “Anything you shoot here will be a masterpiece!” “Isn’t our movie going to an art festival?” That’s how fantastic the island they landed on was. The warmly shining sunlight, the white sandy beach that shatters brightly. The subtle emerald sea that shows everything inside. Even the exotic trees that boast a deep blue that creates shade without being hot. It was a landscape so beautiful that you couldn’t help but admire it. “But Manager, how did you really find it? Everyone knows Manager Ma’s skills, and I know there’s no place in Korea that Manager doesn’t know, but this is overseas. It’s not even a typical tourist destination, but an island.” At first glance, it was not a space open to the general public. The only people here were the film crew and actors. Other than that, there were only local guides and interpreters, accompanying medical staff, and a small number of local staff. In any way, it was definitely not a tourist destination. “Ah, that.” The location scouting manager replied. “I received a proposal from Cheongwang [a fictional company name]. When I checked, they said they were planning an outdoor shoot, and asked if we had confirmed the location.” “Cheongwang? Aren’t they our investor?” “Huh? Cheongwang? Cheongwang is…?” Director Ji looked at the manager with surprised eyes, as if he was hearing it for the first time. “Why are you surprised? Didn’t I tell you, Director?” “……Did you?” “Oh my. You didn’t listen to me properly because you were watching the video. Director Ji definitely heard it then, right? You were surprised that they even supported that, right?” “I did…” “Well, it’s not like I don’t know Director Ji’s concentration, which becomes terrifying when he’s immersed in something. Anyway, they even supported the plane. I came here with doubts, wondering if they were pushing us to some strange place.” He subtly cut off his words, and shouts flew from here and there. The manager shrugged his shoulders as if he couldn’t help it and continued. “It was very good. I just felt it. This is Director Ji’s taste! And after that, well, as you all know, Director Ji gave the okay sign and we came here.” “But… is Cheongwang a charity organization?” One of the staff tilted his head and asked. Although he hadn’t been promoted, he had been rolling around in the film industry for quite a long time, starting with independent films, but this was the first time he had heard of support on this crazy scale. “Cheongwang? What kind of charity does that place do? If you think about it, it’s a selfish business. They swallow everything. All of it.” Cheongwang is notorious among those involved, mainly due to hostile takeovers. That Cheongwang, famous for its relentless investment, barrage of resources, and swallowing anything, is a charity organization? Someone shook his head, saying it was nonsense. “But they’re just lending us a private island?” Why?! That was the question that came to everyone’s mind. In fact, Cheongwang’s sudden joining was still a mysterious part for the production team. It has been resolved to some extent… The staff’s gazes turned to Yeon-woo this time. Yeon-woo, standing towards the lush forest, seemed to have moved a cut from a magazine as it is, perhaps because of the beautiful scenery around him.

Some people glanced at him as if he was staring at something, but the staff couldn’t see anything. ‘Because they even send a food truck…’ ‘The chairman of Cheongwang seemed to know Kwon Seong-hyeon as well…’ Sometimes silence speaks for the answer. “Ahem. Well, it’s not completely free.” “Gasp. Are we paying for it? This kind of private island must be very expensive…?” “No, no. It’s not like that. Why would we pay? Cheongwang wouldn’t have connected us if that were the case. Cheongwang bought this place this time. They say it’s for development purposes?” “They’re developing it? Ah, maybe a tourist destination?” “I think that’s what they’re thinking.” “Then, could it be?” “If they lend it to our movie and it goes well, they’ll have one more marketing opportunity, so it’s not like they’re just doing charity. Honestly, would our plane fare even make a dent in Cheongwang’s pocket? If this goes well, they’ll sweep up hundreds or thousands of times more.” “Ah, so that’s why. I knew it was strange that Cheongwang kept giving away things for free. They had an ulterior motive. If our movie does well, a lot of people will flock here, so it’s not bad. It’ll be naturally introduced, so it’ll gain recognition…” “He wasn’t a businessman for nothing. I thought it was good because it was free, but they had such an ulterior motive.” At the manager’s words, everyone seemed to understand and nodded. “Anyway, it’s a good thing for us. We just have to work hard and film the movie, right?” “That’s right.” Perhaps because the question was resolved, everyone’s faces lightened up and they began to look around again, one by one. Strictly speaking, it was an exploration to check the composition or search the screen for filming rather than sightseeing. Unfortunately, looking at their faces, which were full of excitement, there was not much credibility. And. ‘I’m going crazy.’ The only one who didn’t join the group. Yeon-woo frowned, looking at the air as if he had a headache. ‘What are those bizarre things?!’