Chapter 41
“Writer Han.”
Kim Doyun arrived at the Life Officetel to pick up Han Jiseon in time for the production announcement event.
“Why has it been so hard to see you these days? I got stuck while writing Part 4 and had no one to consult. It was so frustrating I thought I was going to lose my mind.”
Han Jiseon grumbled with a weary face, as though she hadn’t slept a wink.
Trailing behind Han Jiseon, Lee Seulgi and Ham Dajeong gave pleading looks to Kim Doyun, as if begging to be saved.
Both of them seemed to have been kept up all night, unable to leave because she wouldn’t let them go home.
“I’ve prepared a comfortable place for you to dine after the production announcement event.”
“We’re not eating with Director Lee, are we?”
“I believe the director has a lot to discuss with the B Team’s director.”
The power struggle between Lee Beom-un and B Team Director Jang Sanggu was still ongoing.
“Our B Team director is Jang Sanggu? I heard he’s quite skilled.”
“He is skilled, but he’s also not easy to handle.”
“Still, would a B Team director dare to go against the main? Actually, yeah, I guess he would. Director Lee is a pushover, after all.”
Han Jiseon openly mocked Lee Beom-un with a bitter tone.
The “luck” Jeong Woon-Young had mentioned—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
After A Summer’s Cantabile, Lee Beom-un produced nothing but flops.
Among the many reasons for his failure, the reputation of those who worked with him surely played a role.
“Is Seo Dongjin planning to drop a bombshell as expected?”
Han Jiseon asked as she climbed into the passenger seat.
“He said everything’s ready.”
“Ready? Ready for what?”
“I helped a little with it… Anyway, you can look forward to it.”
Kim Doyun smiled as he stepped on the accelerator.
***
“Ms. Jeon Sera! Please look this way once!”
“This way, please!”
“Over here, over here!”
As Jeon Sera stepped out of the van, camera flashes erupted.
Having just returned from a photoshoot in Japan, Jeon Sera greeted the cameras with a bright smile and waved.
Each wave sent the reporters into a flurry of shutter clicks.
“Stop it now.”
Jeon Sera’s biological mother, Yang Geumja, muttered in a low voice through clenched lips.
Like a puppet on strings, Jeon Sera obediently entered the hotel under Yang Geumja’s command.
“Oh? Producer Kim!”
Spotting Kim Doyun at the entrance of the event hall, Jeon Sera waved enthusiastically.
“Ms. Jeon Sera, you’re here.”
Kim Doyun greeted her with a smile, but Yang Geumja’s eyes gleamed coldly.
“Kim Doyun?”
Yang Geumja scrutinized him from head to toe, narrowing her gaze.
She was clearly still displeased about the time Jeon Sera had camped out in their backyard in Jeongdongjin.
Speaking barely above a whisper, like a ventriloquist, Yang Geumja warned:
“Behave yourself. Or you might find yourself in trouble.”
After quietly whispering to Kim Doyun, Yang Geumja immediately changed her expression and, upon spotting Jeong Woon-Young, beamed brightly.
“Oh my, Representative Jeong! What’s the secret to your glowing complexion? If you have something good, share it with me!”
“Look who’s talking. How do you stay so young, Ms. Yang? You look younger every time I see you.”
“Oh my, really? They say Sera inherited her youthful looks from me.”
Jeon Sera wasn’t even in her thirties yet, but they were already talking about her looking young.
Having just turned twenty, Jeon Sera was still just a child. A pitiable girl, trapped within the fence Yang Geumja had built, looking out at the world beyond with awe and fear.
Yang Geumja held Jeong Woon-Young’s hand tightly and said:
“When I think about our Sera suffering at that beach in Jeongdongjin, I can’t sleep at night. But she said she wanted to work on this project because of you, Representative Jeong. Don’t forget that, okay?”
“Oh, I’m honored.”
Han Jiseon, who had been talking with B Team Director Jang Sanggu, turned her head with an irritated expression.
“Whose face is she talking about inspiring a project?”
“Oh, oh my! Writer Han! You’re here? I thought you were an extra actress or something. Your presence gave off such an actress vibe.”
Han Jiseon shuddered as though disgusted by the flattery.
“My head’s already pounding from lack of sleep, and now I’m apparently exuding the vibe of an extra actress about to be killed off in a thriller?”
“You couldn’t sleep? Why? Because of the project? Don’t worry. Our Sera will do great.”
“Is Sera writing the script too?”
“Pardon?”
“Oh, that’s how it sounded.”
Han Jiseon shot back sarcastically, as if to mortify her, and then turned to Kim Doyun.
“Producer Kim, I’d like to sit down somewhere.”
“Please head to the podium. The event will begin when the director arrives.”
“Why is he late on a day like this? Does he think the main character should show up last?”
As Han Jiseon finished her complaint, Lee Beom-un entered the event hall.
Since their massive fight at the Gangnam sushi restaurant, Han Jiseon and Lee Beom-un had been at odds, ignoring or growling at each other whenever they met at work.
Even during script meetings, Lee Beom-un would dominate the discussion, and Han Jiseon would dismiss his input outright.
Their relationship had only deteriorated further, making Kim Doyun uneasy.
Lee Beom-un casually strolled up to Han Jiseon and said:
“Writer Han? Did you sleep well? I was too nervous to get any sleep.”
“But you look so well-rested. Like someone who overslept and showed up late.”
Kim Doyun subtly stepped between them.
If only he could be like Yang Geumja and mutter without being noticed. Lacking such a skill, he instead turned to Han Jiseon.
“Writer Han, let me escort you to the podium.”
Too many eyes were watching. Especially the reporters, who were eager to see if the writer and director’s conflict remained unresolved.
“Ugh, I’m so tired.”
As he guided Han Jiseon to the podium, he heard Lee Beom-un chuckling behind him.
But the sound was quickly drowned out by Yang Geumja’s snicker.
“Director! You seem even more dashing than the last time I saw you. What have you been eating lately?”
She could have at least come up with a different line.
Han Jiseon let out a laugh, as though she found it absurd.
“She must be stupid. How does she manage to only say things that people don’t want to hear?”
“You don’t like hearing it? She was complimenting you, saying you have the aura of an actress.”
“She said I looked like a supporting actress. Meaning she thinks she’s the lead. Look at her. She dressed Jeon Sera in cheap market clothes while wearing luxury brands from head to toe herself. That’s her mother for you.”
Han Jiseon leaned closer to Kim Doyun and whispered.
“I’m thinking of writing a drama about her someday. A vile woman who leeches off her actress daughter to live in luxury.”
“Ms. Jeon Sera might hear you. She’s still young and sensitive—it’ll hurt her.”
“That’s why I’m holding back.”
At that moment, the main and supporting actors arrived. The reporters began taking their seats, and Lee Beom-un also stepped onto the podium.
“Producer Kim, did you hear from Seo Dongjin? He said he’d be late.”
Glancing at his watch, Kim Doyun replied.
“He’ll be here shortly.”
“Where is he now?”
“…He’s just arrived.”
Dressed in a silver suit, black shirt, and a dark gray tie, Seo Dongjin entered the event hall.
Han Jiseon seemed to approve of his attire, giving Kim Doyun a thumbs-up.
“Apologies for being slightly late.”
Seo Dongjin calmly greeted Lee Beom-un and Han Jiseon before taking a seat next to Jeon Sera.
Today’s host was the popular broadcaster Lee Gicheol.
“Welcome to the production announcement event for MBS’s Wednesday-Thursday drama, A Summer’s Cantabile. First, the Pledge of Allegiance…”
The Pledge of Allegiance? The reporters murmured among themselves, and Lee Gicheol quickly added:
“Since everyone here already has a patriotic heart, we’ll skip it.”
His witty comment drew laughter from the reporters, easing the tense atmosphere. Seizing the moment, Lee Gicheol smoothly continued the event.
“The role of Hyein, who overcomes a terminal illness and begins a new life, is played by the nation’s sweetheart, Jeon Sera.”
Jeon Sera stood with a radiant smile and bowed in greeting.
“The role of Yeonwoo, a noble young man who fights against injustice for Hyein’s happiness, is played by Seo Dongjin.”
Seo Dongjin, looking slightly stiff, stood and gave a deep bow.
“The role of Suhyeok, who harbors a long unrequited love for Hyein and competes with Yeonwoo, is played by Cha Dojin. And the role of Jayoung, who loves Yeonwoo but becomes Hyein’s bodyguard, is played by Kim Sojeong.”
Cha Dojin and Kim Sojeong rose in turn and greeted the audience.
Both Cha Dojin and Kim Sojeong played antagonistic roles that created conflict in the drama, serving as catalysts for the protagonists to confront their emotions.
Their performances would heavily influence the drama’s quality.
“They’ll do great.”
Kim Doyun trusted Cha Dojin and Kim Sojeong as much as Jeon Sera and Seo Dongjin. Both were capable of leading a production as main actors.
However, Cha Dojin and Kim Sojeong lacked the overwhelming charisma and screen presence that could fill the frame.
No matter how beautiful they were, they needed that magnetic pull to become top stars—something they were missing.
“Now, we’ll take questions from the reporters.”
Kim Doyun signaled to reporter Hong Sujeong, who raised her hand promptly.
“I am Hong Sujeong from Day and Night. I have a question for Seo Dongjin.”
Seo Dongjin picked up the microphone.
“Reporter Hong Sujeong, please go ahead.”
“Yeonwoo, the character you’re playing, is the son of a poor fisherman, correct?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“I heard you were born into a wealthy family and have never experienced poverty. Won’t it be difficult for you to immerse yourself in the role?”
While Hong Sujeong posed her question, Jeong Woon-Young approached Kim Doyun.
“Should we have handed out something to the reporters in advance?”
“No one does that anymore.”
There was a time when promotional pamphlets included envelopes containing cash.
It was essentially a travel expense—money for their commute and meals, given in hopes of a favorable article.
But times had changed. Viewers now judged and evaluated productions for themselves.
Kim Doyun whispered softly to Jeong Woon-Young.
“Seo Dongjin will handle the drama promotion perfectly.”
“He’s not even in the top three—what are you talking about?”
Jeong Woon-Young still seemed unimpressed with Seo Dongjin, his tone skeptical.
At that moment, Seo Dongjin brought the microphone closer to his lips and responded to Hong Sujeong’s question.
“I’m an orphan.”
The reporters murmured, and the photographers, who had been resting, began snapping pictures of Seo Dongjin.
Click, click, click! The camera flashes erupted, followed by a barrage of questions from the reporters.
Even Lee Beom-un looked startled, his expression betraying his shock.
‘He has finally dropped the bomb.’
—
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