Top Star By Luck [EN]: Chapter 144

144. Premiere Screening

Lee Min-ki flinched at the familiar yet distant-sounding word and asked,

“Already?”

“Yes, an internal screening. We’re circulating the first edit among stakeholders only. Though, it’ll mostly be people sent by Netplay.”

It was part of Netplay’s production system.

Instead of external screenings, they receive reports and evaluations from employees sent by Netplay.

‘They said it’s a minimal measure to prevent situations where they just take the production costs and do nothing.’

Production cost support is divided into first and second installments, and if the intermediate screening isn’t good, the subsequent investment is reduced.

Conversely, if the interim results are decent, they significantly increase the budget.

It’s unavoidable.

But Lee Min-ki wanted to avoid it.

‘Do I have to show this to others?’

No, of course, I have to show it.

But I kind of don’t want to.

Lee Min-ki cleared his throat and asked,

“Hey, shouldn’t we take it a bit slower?”

“The actor did so well that it finished quickly.”

“Still, there’s some time left, so we could put in a bit more effort.”

“Unfortunately, there’s no way to bring back the roles that have already retired.”

“Um, there are parts where it would be good to reshoot the acting.”

“I can say with certainty, there aren’t any. The actor’s performance is more than perfect.”

“…….”

The more he asked, the more confident Director Shim Sung-bo’s voice became.

“Wouldn’t it be good to adhere to the script?”

“My theory is that only when you ignore a script that you’ve racked your brains over can you create even more amazing scenes.”

He’s gained a lot of confidence.

I miss the old, timid Director Shim Sung-bo.

As Lee Min-ki was shedding tears inwardly, Director Jin Joo-yeon suddenly poked her head in and said,

“Actor, you must come see it tomorrow too. As a co-producer.”

Why is it?

Why does the name co-producer feel ominous?

“Do I have to participate?”

“Of course. The fact that this work has come this far is thanks to the actor, you could say, half of it is because of you.”

“Joo-yeon, what do you mean half? It’s practically all of him!”

While the two were giggling, Lee Min-ki chuckled and thought.

‘I don’t know either. Whatever will be, will be.’

* * *

Netplay is indeed a huge company.

But looking into Netplay’s internal structure, it operated on a system similar to an extremely small company.

[Only people who work on their own are full.]

[You have to find your own work. Work is never just given to you.]

[Survival of the fittest.]

[There are so many people who just sit still because they aren’t given work, and then get kicked out for not meeting their performance targets.]

[They give a lot of money, but it’s scary receiving the money. I’m afraid I won’t be able to achieve that level of performance.]

It felt like a federation of individuals.

Moreover, nominally, all employees were equal.

There were only seniors and juniors.

Or perhaps team leaders and team members who lead projects.

Anyway, the two people in charge of this collaboration between Lee Min-ki and Mayar Pictures, [Manman2], were like that.

“……He’s coming to see it after all.”

“I know. I can’t believe I’m actually working with Lee Min-ki. I still don’t know if this is a dream or reality.”

They were the two who had fantasized about Lee Min-ki’s participation a while ago.

Both of them were named Park, so the company often grouped them together as Two-Park.

Or Little Park and Big Park.

Park, the junior employee who was Little Park, opened his mouth.

“If this hits, we’ll hit too.”

To that, Park, the senior employee who was Big Park, replied.

“If we screw it up, we die together.”

Cold sweat dripped down.

They only knew the work schedule and that Lee Min-ki was participating as a co-producer, but they didn’t know any specific details yet.

They were dying to poke around and see how the work was being produced, but they had been holding back.

That was Netplay’s policy.

Giving creators a huge production budget and then leaving them alone until the promised deadline.

‘I’m also scared of interfering and ruining it.’

But that ends today.

They will check the results.

Whether it’s a disaster or a success, they will check it thoroughly and submit a report to the higher-ups.

“Ready, Park?”

“Of course, Park.”

The two, having composed themselves, strode towards the Mayar Pictures building.

And after a brief greeting with the production staff.

“Oh, Actor, please give me an autograph. No, should I call you Director now?”

“You flatter me. I’m just a figurehead; these two directed the production.”

“Haha, we’ll believe that, but will the viewers believe it?”

“Shall we watch it first?”

The screening soon began.

And when they witnessed the results with their own eyes.

The thoughts that came to Two-Park’s minds were exactly the same.

‘T, this.’

‘Is this even possible?’

[Manman2].

It was something that was still embarrassing to call a finished product, but to the two of them.

‘This is Lee Min-ki’s directorial debut?’

‘His first work is this?’

It seemed too monstrous.

‘This is so fun?’

It was fun.

Purely fun.

‘Ah, he’s already dead.’

The person they were rooting for was deceived by the villain and died in an instant.

‘Wow, that’s so refreshing.’

The villain was paid back in the same way by the protagonist just a few minutes later and collapsed.

‘I can’t predict what’s going to happen next.’

It was endlessly stimulating.

Every minute and every second was a shock, as if a hammer was pounding on their brains.

They couldn’t take their eyes off it for even a moment, no, even the fleeting moment of blinking was too precious, and the video continued.

[Too bad, there are no lawyers here.]

Even Lee Min-ki’s acting skills had improved.

He played [Nam Seok-gu], a character who purely overpowered other participants with force on the island where the battle royale in [Manman2] took place.

It was powerful how he chopped down the villains with a machete as soon as they showed any signs of activity.

[If I get out of the island, island, island, I’ll give you as much money as you want…….]

[Yeah, I have a lot of money too.]

An extreme cider character [a character who delivers satisfying revenge or justice].

No matter how unpleasant the situation, as soon as [Nam Seok-gu] appeared, their hearts felt refreshed, so they couldn’t help but fall for it.

[Once I get off this island, someone like you.]

[Yeah, once I get off.]

The directing was the same.

The quality was so high that it was hard to believe it was just an intermediate screening.

‘This is a work with a budget of only around 2 billion won [approximately $1.5 million USD]?’

Two-Park even felt thirsty.

They wanted to see more, more, more, and they were getting restless.

But unfortunately.

“We’ve prepared up to here for now.”

Today’s intermediate screening seemed to be over here.

“……Ah.”

Big Park let out a small groan, feeling regretful.

If they could only see the rest, they wouldn’t mind paying tens of thousands of won [hundreds of dollars].

They were curious about the results.

‘Did Nam Seok-gu live or die?’

To cut it off at this point.

They were like devils.

In fact, this was the Mayar Pictures production team’s strategy.

[I heard they’ll increase the second production cost if the response is good here.]

[Yes, that’s what the actor said.]

[Then wouldn’t it be good to cut it off in a way that makes them curious about what happens next?]

[……!]

It was a stingy method that was more than vicious, but it was plausible, so they accepted it.

The result was the current situation.

‘I’m curious. I’m so curious.’

‘So, did he live or die?’

They were curious about the lives and deaths of the characters.

They could find out immediately if they asked the production staff.

But that would be too bad.

Answers that are easily obtained are just as futile.

They desperately wanted to properly check it in the video, after a time of patience like a long-simmered galbi-tang [Korean braised short ribs, symbolizing a long and patient process].

“So, what are your impressions?”

“Hmm.”

To Lee Min-ki’s question, asked with a smile, the only thing they could say was one thing.

“I think the contract needs a slight revision.”

* * *

Recently, what would be the most anticipated work in the Korean film industry?

Pocaroro?

It’s too common of a romantic comedy.

Slower than the Setting Sun?

It was sold to OTT [Over-The-Top, a streaming service], but it flopped in Korea.

Na Hee-jin?

She seemed to be doing well in auditions, but she was buried after her debut.

In a situation where blockbuster works are not coming out easily.

The public’s attention was naturally bound to be focused on one side.

[When is Manman2 being released?]

It was Lee Min-ki’s [Manman2].

A hot concept called Battle Royale.

The name value that was naturally created by the actor Lee Min-ki himself.

The mystery created by thoroughly concealing the production process.

With the added special feature of Netplay exclusive release.

[Manman2] had grown into the most anticipated work of the quarter before the production team themselves could even lift a finger.

[I heard they’re filming in Sinan County?]

[Then is it a movie about slavery?]

[ㄴ No regional discrimination] [It’s said that Sinan County invested directly, so it wouldn’t be that kind of material ㅋㅋㅋ Logically] [Then is it a movie about Lee Min-ki being kidnapped and escaping from an island?] [ㄴ A unique concept] [ㄴㄴ There’s a rumor that they recruited a lot of actors] [I heard they didn’t spend much on production costs, where did they get so much?] [It’s Lee Min-ki.] [Well, Lee Min-ki must have a lot of money]

There were no words.

That’s how rumors spread in reverse.

It was like the Korean traditional ghost, the Eodukshini [a ghost that thrives on fear and ignorance], infinitely inflating its form the more people feared it.

Because there was no information being released, it was mentioned more often and led to more buzz.

[It’s said to be released in May? I’ll be waiting]

[I already joined Netplay ㅋㅋ]

But.

The news that came after a really long time was to shatter their expectations.

[Breaking) ‘Manman2′ Release Date Postponed to July]

The release date had been postponed.

[???]

[???????????]

[?????]

[???????????????????????]

It was only natural that Korean internet sites were filled with question marks.

They had been looking forward to only this work, but it was postponed without any special explanation.

[Why is it postponed?]

[I heard the filming was going smoothly]

[Isn’t it because it wasn’t as good as they thought and they’re reshooting?]

[Or they’re releasing it in the summer because the background is an island]

[Isn’t it just hype?]

[It’s a bit strange from the start that an actor with a short career like Lee Min-ki is directing]

The netizens’ dissatisfaction grew.

They would have said something if there was a special reason, but Mayar Pictures remained silent without saying anything.

[Say something]

While the release date was postponed in such doubt.

There was someone who suddenly fell into stress and screamed.

“Lee Min-ki―!!!!!!!!!”

It was none other than Emma Specter, the head of Odin Universe.

“I adjusted the release schedule to May because of that thing, and he’s postponing it to July as he pleases?”

She shouted in a loud voice, acting as if she would tear the wallpaper with her fingernails at any moment.

“Are you kidding me? Is the movie release schedule a joke?”

Of course, it’s not a joke.

If you adjust one schedule, there are mountains of procedures to change overall.

But strictly speaking, wasn’t the schedule adjusted to Lee Min-ki’s schedule from their side?

It was like cursing herself.

Moreover, there was a special feature that OTT had.

[OTT is different from theatrical release, so you can postpone it as much as you want ㅋ]

It was easy to adjust the schedule.

Theatrical releases have to be tightly coordinated with offline theaters around the world, so once it’s set, it can’t be easily changed.

But OTT is a leisurely service because it’s limited to the internet anyway.

AST [presumably a film production company], which has a very tight schedule, can’t do that.

Basically, it was something that happened because the body was too big.

But from the beginning.

‘Why are you doing this because of just one Asian actor?’

It was an irrational act.

“Tell New Guardians to change their schedule too.”

“……!”

An explosive statement was made.

An employee trembled as Emma Specter became hysterical and opened his mouth.

“Um, that might be difficult…… The marketing schedule has already been set worldwide.”

“Who said anything? Just postpone the release date by two months.”

“……If you do that, the schedules of other works will be messed up, so it’s difficult. In particular, the events of the main actors are scheduled on a weekly basis.”

Odin Universe is a huge project that releases at least three or four works a year.

If you miscoordinate the schedule of one work, there was a high possibility that the timelines of the remaining works would be messed up.

This was also why AST was desperate to control the actors.

On the other hand, Lee Min-ki’s side…….

[Ah, then shall we improve the quality a bit more?]

[Good, there were some parts that I was disappointed with.]

They were endlessly free in this part as well.

‘Lee Min-ki, Lee Min-ki, Lee Min-ki, why does he make people so tired?’

Emma Specter chewed her lips, endlessly fueling her animosity in her head.

It was something she could just ignore.

But her unique paranoia had long since infinitely inflated and made Lee Min-ki her nemesis.

‘I must have heard a story from Netplay? May overlaps with Odin Universe, so postpone it.’