Chapter 43
“Director, are you really going to keep Seo Dongjin on board?”
After the script reading ended, Cha Dojin dragged Lee Beom-un to a nearby coffee shop.
“What else can I do? Filming starts today.”
“He’s lied to the entire nation. Even if it delays filming, we should regroup and move forward properly.”
A drama with an orphan and former nightclub worker, Seo Dongjin, as the lead. Playing a supporting role in such a drama bruised Cha Dojin’s pride.
But for Lee Beom-un, Seo Dongjin wasn’t the problem right now.
“Sure, some people don’t like Seo Dongjin. But the public sympathy for him is overwhelming. That cunning guy played his cards well.”
“Played his cards? What do you mean?”
“Exactly. Didn’t you see the multi-vision screen when he revealed he was an orphan during the production announcement?”
“I didn’t.”
Lee Beom-un smirked coldly.
“The sea. Tears… longing. It was like a whole drama packed into that one display.”
The person who had taken those photos of Seo Dongjin and displayed them on the multi-vision screen.
No, the one who orchestrated the entire plan and convinced Seo Dongjin to reveal his past was…
‘Kim Doyun.’
Even though Kim Doyun was sharp and highly capable, it was true that he grated on Lee Beom-un’s nerves.
As the director, he should be the one in control of everything, yet he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was just an extra in the stage orchestrated by Kim Doyun.
‘I have to bring that bastard down.’
The time to oust Kim Doyun had finally come. As a planning producer, Kim Doyun was crucial during the early stages of a drama, but once filming began, his role diminished significantly.
After all, the production team and director shot the scenes, edited them, and broadcasted them. There was no need for him beyond that.
‘I won’t even have to clash with Han Jiseon.’
All Lee Beom-un had to do was shoot scenes based on the scripts Han Jiseon provided.
Occasionally, he might visit her office to discuss the script, but there was no reason for Kim Doyun to be involved.
‘What excuse should I use to bring him down?’
Jeong Woon-Young was sensitive to money. If he claimed that Kim Doyun had caused financial losses, maybe he could get him fired.
Lee Beom-un finished his coffee and checked his watch.
“Anyway, I need to go. The first shoot is at Jeongdongjin.”
“So Seo Dongjin remains the lead?”
“Wake up, Dojin. Even if Seo Dongjin steps down, you’re not going to be the lead.”
Without looking back, Lee Beom-un walked out of the café.
Cha Dojin, watching him leave, sipped his coffee slowly, aware of the glances directed his way.
‘I can’t be the lead even if Seo Dongjin leaves?’
That’s uncertain.
Cha Dojin smirked coldly at the thought of toppling Seo Dongjin.
***
“First, build Hyein’s room and living room.”
Over the phone, Kim Doyun instructed the set manager on what to prioritize and what could wait.
The set was located on the outskirts of Ilsan, where it was cold in winter and hot in summer.
The original design had been flawed, causing the walls to vibrate whenever the air conditioning or heaters were turned on, which disrupted sound recording.
Unable to endure those conditions, Kim Doyun had arranged for the air conditioning system to be moved before the set construction began.
As a result, set construction was delayed, and the first shoot had to take place in Jeongdongjin.
-What about the breakfast scene in Part 3?
“I’ll ask the writer to change it to an outdoor dining scene. Since Hyein is wealthy, we could set it in a hotel.”
-Understood.
“You’ve confirmed there’s no noise when the air conditioner is on, right? If the audio picks up any noise, the actors and crew will feel like they’re steaming dumplings in a sauna.”
-We tested it with a sound meter. Don’t worry.
After finishing the call, Kim Doyun looked around the hotel lobby.
“He’s supposed to meet me here.”
Eun Jihoon was nowhere to be seen.
“Bathroom, maybe?”
Today’s first shoot involved the transition of Yeonwoo from a high school student to an adult, so Eun Jihoon had to head to Jeongdongjin.
Just as Kim Doyun was about to make a call, he heard Eun Jihoon’s panicked voice.
“D-don’t do that.”
Kim Doyun walked toward the sound coming from the emergency exit.
***
“Hey! Stay still for a second, will you?”
The young actress playing Hyein’s child role, Yoon Jia, glared at Eun Jihoon with furrowed brows.
Faced with her sharp gaze, Eun Jihoon bit his lip, unable to remove the hair roller dangling from his bangs.
“How am I supposed to go to Jeongdongjin looking like this?”
“Why not? Don’t you have an agency?”
“No.”
“Then ask your mom to drive you.”
With a mom and an agency backing her, Yoon Jia couldn’t understand Eun Jihoon.
‘It’s the first day of filming, and his hair looks like that?’
She rolled his bangs with a hair roller, confident that this would help them get along better going forward.
The chemistry between the young leads needed to be good for the early part of the drama to shine.
“I think I’ll just take the express bus…”
At that moment, Kim Doyun entered the emergency exit.
“Eun Jihoon.”
“P-Producer Kim!”
The hair roller dangled from Eun Jihoon’s bangs, and Yoon Jia stood with her hands behind her back, smiling innocently.
Looking between the two, Kim Doyun let out a small laugh.
‘Yoon Jia decided to look out for Eun Jihoon?’
Debuting as a child actress at the age of four, Yoon Jia was now a 12-year veteran. Having worked with countless child actors, her effort to take care of Eun Jihoon was a positive sign.
But Eun Jihoon, unaware of this, was visibly nervous.
“Jihoon, go find Actor Seo Dongjin. He said he has something to discuss with you on the way to Jeongdongjin.”
“Huh? Oh, okay.”
Eun Jihoon hurriedly removed the hair roller and handed it to Yoon Jia before bounding off.
Kim Doyun turned to look at Yoon Jia.
“See you during the Seoul shoot. Practice your acting hard.”
Just as Kim Doyun was about to turn away after saying goodbye to Yoon Jia, she stopped him.
“Producer, it seems like Jihoon doesn’t have an agency. Would it be okay if I introduce him to my mom?”
Yoon Jia’s biological mother, who once managed her career as a child actress, had since started her own talent agency, primarily managing child and young actors.
“You should ask Jihoon, not me.”
“I didn’t want you to misunderstand and think my mom was trying to scout during the drama shoot.”
Doyun was impressed by Yoon Jia’s remarkable business acumen.
“I won’t misunderstand. It’s true Jihoon doesn’t have an agency. If you want to recommend him, go ahead.”
“Okay.”
Yoon Jia, who had been smiling brightly, suddenly adopted a serious expression.
“There was another actor similar to Eun Jihoon once. He acted in a thriller and ended up retiring altogether. I heard he’s still undergoing psychiatric treatment.”
“……”
“If Jihoon plays a villain, he’ll end up ruined. He’s like a sponge.”
Hearing her words, Doyun felt as though an arrow had struck through his head.
“A sponge?”
It was the perfect way to describe Eun Jihoon.
A sponge.
Eun Jihoon absorbs everything around him, becoming darker, heavier, and eventually sinking.
Doyun looked up at Yoon Jia, a mere 16-year-old.
“You’re amazing, Jia. Your insight is incredible.”
“I grew up on filming sets.”
Yoon Jia laughed brightly before adding:
“Kids like Eun Jihoon don’t last long in this industry. That’s why someone like my mom is necessary. She teaches them to view work as just work. Ugh, it’s brutal.”
Even as she recommended her mother, Yoon Jia shuddered as if creeped out. Then she smiled radiantly.
“That’s why she made a work machine like me. I work, earn money, and think of it as earning money even when I get criticized.”
Twenty years later, Yoon Jia would become a legendary girl group producer. Her insight, her cold perspective on the industry, and…
“Hmm… This song is so good.”
Listening to a new track through her earphones, she matched the rhythm and waved goodbye to Doyun as she walked away.
In the distance, Yoon Jia’s mother, Ahn Heeyeong, stepped out of a Benz, removed her sunglasses, and nodded lightly at Doyun.
***
Eun Jihoon was riding down to Jeongdongjin in Seo Dongjin’s van.
Seo Dongjin handed him a packed lunch and asked:
“Jihoon, have you sent out your profile? With your talent, there must be plenty of agencies interested in you.”
“I haven’t sent it out. Producer Kim told me to focus on acting for now.”
“But how are you going to handle things during the shoot?”
For now, it was fine since Seo Dongjin could bring Jihoon down to Jeongdongjin himself. But if there were sudden reshoots, it would be a problem.
It wasn’t as if Jihoon had parents, and Kim Doyun was far too busy to deal with it all. Biting into a sausage from the lunchbox, Eun Jihoon replied:
“Producer Kim said a company called The Spectrum reached out.”
“The Spectrum? Jin Gunwoo’s agency? You might end up working with him.”
“No. Producer Kim said he doesn’t trust that agency much, so I probably won’t sign with them.”
“He turned down The Spectrum?”
The Spectrum, a renowned agency specializing in actors, often received scripts for major dramas and films first.
Hearing that Doyun declined them, Seo Dongjin blinked in surprise.
“An influential company like that? It didn’t sit well with Producer Kim?”
“He told me to sign with a company that sees me as an actor, not just as a way to make money.”
“Wow, that’s some good advice.”
Seo Dongjin exclaimed in admiration, leaning toward the driver’s seat.
“In your opinion, does our agency see me as an actor or just money?”
“They see you as a pain in the ass, obviously! If you wanted to make a bombshell announcement, you should’ve discussed it with the CEO first! Do you know how much anxiety you caused me yesterday?”
Dongjin’s manager, Kang Duman, slammed his foot on the accelerator in frustration, causing Dongjin to tumble backward. Jihoon quickly caught him.
“Whoa!”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Jihoon, you saw that, right? This is what happens when your agency sees you as a tool. Never sign with a company like that, okay?”
“Look at him talking! I raised him from scratch, and this is the thanks I get?”
“You raised me? I got here on my own!”
“What was that?”
Unable to contain his temper, Kang Duman jerked the steering wheel, causing the van to swerve.
“Hey, take it easy!”
“You don’t know how much…”
“Quiet! Producer Kim is calling.”
Dongjin answered the call from Kim Doyun.
“Yes, Producer. Oh, you’re following our car? No, it’s just… my manager is losing his mind…”
“Dongjin! Are you badmouthing me to Producer Kim?”
Terrified of Doyun, Kang Duman shouted while reducing his speed and began driving more carefully.
“Wow, the power of Producer Kim.”
Dongjin teased, and Kang Duman scowled deeply.
—
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