JTBS Broadcasting Station.
The Head of the Drama Production Department, Bang Hyungtae, was breaking out in a cold sweat dealing with Director Sung.
"Director Sung... are you really going to do it?"
"Yes. I have to. We agreed on it."
The money paid for Director Sung's salary alone was hundreds of millions of won every year.
He wasn't scouted at such a high price just to be attached to a rookie writer.
"I heard he caused a rampage in Lee Minjoo's studio before he left..."
"Hmm, is that so? I like him even more..."
"N-no. That's not what I mean...!"
He had momentarily overlooked the fact that Director Sung Kihoon and Writer Lee Minjoo had a bad relationship.
"Is it because of the contract with Tempest Entertainment? I can take care of that..."
"No. That's a secondary issue now."
What was the reason for the always cool and rational Director Sung to be so obsessed with this particular project?
To make matters worse, it felt like a great project was about to come in, which made his stomach churn even more.
"Director Sung, you know Writer Jo Yooyeon's project just ended, right? We've been in contact with her lately..."
"So?"
"No, well, just saying. Haha."
Director Sung let out a chuckle and asked Director Bang.
"Director-nim, do you think I took on this project so I could take it easy and rest?"
"Hey, I would never think that."
"My intuition is really strong on this one. You know I have good instincts, right?"
It was a confidence he hadn't shown even when filming his so-called hit projects.
It would have been much better if that intuition had come when working with a star writer.
"Director Jung and Director Ma are resting these days, right?"
"What?"
"It's been a while, they should work with me."
"No..."
The top-tier Director of Photography and Lighting Director of JTBS.
There was no actor who had worked with them who didn't know their skills.
With those two combined, even an ordinary girl group member could be transformed into a visual center.
So how much more would naturally beautiful actresses shine?
He wondered if it was really right to invest so much in a rookie writer.
"Hey, lighten up a little."
"Director Sung, if this one fails, you'll lose all the reputation you've built up."
"Hmm, is that so? For that to happen, I think I've earned JTBS a bit too much money."
"Ah... w-well, that's just a figure of speech. Haha."
Director Sung let the director's words slide and continued.
"I'll be counting on you when it comes to the programming schedule."
"That's not something I can handle on my own..."
"Your influence will play a big part, Director-nim. Especially with a project with so much noise like this one."
"A person who knows that is..."
Scrape—
Director Sung Kihoon smiled once more and left his seat.
Soon, the director shook his head as he watched the departing Director Sung.
A person who never bends his will, even if others oppose him.
Seeing Director Sung's proactive attitude for the first time in a long while gave him a sliver of hope.
But the penalty of a rookie writer loomed far too heavily.
"Sigh, it looks like MBS is going to announce a blockbuster soon."
Since it was a pre-produced drama, it could be scheduled at any time.
A nuclear weapon that no one knew when it would be dropped into a death slot.
The other broadcasting companies were just waiting for the bomb MBS would drop.
If their schedules overlapped by any chance, Director Sung Kihoon or not, it was certain death.
"Something feels unsettling."
I finished writing Part 5 and went back to check on Semi and Ji Seongho's acting.
In particular, I pointed out the differences compared to the scenes I had seen in the drama.
Semi's acting, chosen by the system, was needless to say, and Ji Seongho's acting was also at an amazing level.
"They're both acting geniuses...!"
"Was Semi always this good at acting?"
"No, she's just a perfect fit for this role."
Even Yuna, who had joined at some point, the four members were so busy watching that they had forgotten about their choreography practice.
"If you just do it exactly like this, there won't be any problems in front of the director tomorrow."
"Wow... I'm finally acknowledged!"
Ji Seongho lay down on the practice room floor as if exhausted.
I had made him redo a single scene dozens of times, so it was natural for him to be drained.
"Writer-nim, you've worked hard."
"Semi-ssi, you worked hard too."
"Um, Writer-nim."
"Yes?"
"Ah, it's nothing..."
Semi's shoulders slumped like a puppy that had lost its owner.
The sight was so cute that I wanted to save it as a fan-making meme.
"Are you worried about tomorrow?"
"A little..."
"Just do it like you did today."
"What? Ah, yes!"
She showed her lively side again.
I really did a good job becoming a fan of Semi.
A moment later,
Ji Seongho's manager arrived at Rainbow Entertainment.
"Writer-nim, I heard you have an appointment with the manager today..."
"Yes. You've heard."
"I'll give you a ride."
"Ah, then I'd appreciate that."
On the way to Tempest Entertainment, I talked with Ji Seongho.
The conversation mainly revolved around the overall story of the work.
"Writer-nim, what's the general plot up to episode 16?"
"Well. I've only... up to Part 5 for now."
At the unconventional answer, Ji Seongho trailed off awkwardly.
"S-so, you usually only plan one or two parts at a time..."
"No. I'm saying I've written all of it up to Part 5."
"Pardoooon? Part 5 is already out? You were just writing Part 3 a few days ago..."
"I write whenever I get an idea."
According to the system's whim.
"But to have that kind of quality... Writer-nim, I think you're a real genius."
"Depending on how you look at it, it could seem that way."
If I were in Ji Seongho's shoes, I would have thought the same.
If I saw a writer who churned out such works almost one part a day.
Perhaps I would have felt the wall of talent as a writer and fallen into despair.
"Manager-nim, why was I rejected?"
"Minseo-ya, an actress shouldn't use a word like 'rejected'."
"Ugh, who is Semi to push me aside and get cast? This is seriously absurd."
"Hah... The writer chose her himself."
Tempest Entertainment, Jung Saerom's office.
An actress raised her voice, glaring at Manager Jung.
"What, is she getting a sponsor or something?"
"Yeo Minseo, watch your mouth."
"..."
If Ji Seongho was the male actor Tempest was recently promoting, then Yeo Minseo was the female actress.
"Since I've been spoiling you, you've gotten out of hand. Is this your living room?"
"...I'm sorry."
"Get out."
Manager Jung, unlike her usual self, spoke coldly and ordered her to leave.
Knock, knock—
It was then.
"Manager-nim, Writer Kim Jinwoo has arrived."
The secretary's voice was heard from outside the door.
The secretary received Saerom's permission and let Jinwoo in.
Glare—
At that moment, Yeo Minseo shot a fierce glare at Kim Jinwoo.
"What."
"What!"
"What's your problem."
"Get out of the way!"
Jinwoo watched the departing Yeo Minseo with a bewildered expression.
"That person... is her personality always that fierce?"
Saerom sighed and greeted Jinwoo.
"Please, have a seat."
"Ah, yes."
"The lead role in our production company's next project was originally Minseo's turn."
"Ah..."
"And it seems she was really looking forward to it after seeing your script, saying it was fun."
"Well, that's great."
"Pardon?"
"Ah, no. Thank you for your help today."
Thanks to borrowing Ji Seongho, the matter was resolved well.
As always, Jinwoo was only indebted to her.
"No. I only sent Seongho because he said it was fine."
"Still, it was a help."
Soon, Saerom cautiously asked the purpose of Jinwoo's visit.
"We'll be seeing each other at the meeting with the director tomorrow anyway. What brings you here..."
"That's why I'm here."
"Yes."
"There's something I want to finalize before then."
"Is it about the casting?"
"Something like that."
"Something like..."
Whenever she talked with Writer Kim Jinwoo, she experienced this kind of beating around the bush.
Vowing that this time would be different, she spoke firmly.
"If it's about Semi-ssi, there's no need to speak. The director will decide anyway."
"It's not that."
"Then...?"
"Let's hold an audition."
"Ah, I'm thinking about an audition for the supporting roles. Is there a particular role you have in mind..."
"The role of Cheon Jiho."
"...That's the main character."
In movies, a rookie star is sometimes born after beating out thousands of competitors.
But where in the world is there a drama that casts its main male lead through an audition?
"Let's try doing that difficult thing."
"No, are you serious right now! Phew..."
In the already fast-paced drama market, it was impossible.
Jung Saerom barely held back a harsh word from escaping her lips and replied.
"Then, of course, conducting the audition will be our production company's responsibility, right?"
"Hmm, I guess so?"
"You, you bastard..."
"???"
"No, Writer Kim. It seems you don't know much about dramas, so let me explain..."
"I know. Dramas."
Jinwoo also knew well that an audition was not an easy choice in the drama market.
Wasn't he a talent who had rolled forward and backward under a writer with a terrible personality for the past six years?
'This way, there won't be any backlash.'
The external factors of a drama were not within the scope of what Kim Jinwoo could predict.
Even if he forced Im Jaejun into the role, if his image was ruined, the drama might fail.
"I'm saying this after much consideration."
"Hah... okay. Let's say I agree."
"And then?"
"Do you think Director Sung Kihoon will say okay?"
"Ah, that's..."
Saerom smiled brightly as if she had found a breakthrough.
"If Director Sung agrees, let's discuss it again then."
The way back home felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.
My parents were busy today as well, so my sister greeted me.
"Oppa, you're home late."
"Yeah. You were awake?"
Plop—
Heejung sat on the sofa and watched me.
"Ah, right. I filmed that Ji Seongho video message I mentioned today. I'll send it to you."
"...Oppa, you look tired today. Are you okay?"
She wasn't a sister who usually showed this kind of concern.
It seemed I looked particularly gloomy today.
"Hmm... it's tough trying to cast the two actors I chose."
I knew that drama production wasn't an easy job.
The casting stage was just the beginning.
But trying to cast two main leads was already overwhelming.
Still, at least as a main writer, I had the leeway to voice my opinion.
If I were still an assistant writer, I probably would have retired long ago.
Heejung silently patted my back.
"That's my wallet you're patting."
"Ah, right."
"..."
Our home is happy today as well.
"Anyway, thanks for my Seongho oppa's cheer-up video!"
"Yeah. He's not your oppa. Acknowledge your genetics."
My sister didn't even listen to me and slipped into her room.
"I set the date too tightly."
For now, the meeting with the director tomorrow came first.
In particular, I planned to get confirmation on Semi's casting and the audition.
"Let's just do what I can right now."
I needed to review everything from the first part to the fifth part I wrote today.
"It's a work I wrote, but I need to analyze it too."
Still, since it was a drama I had seen at least once by myself, I could organize it in one night.
Although it doesn't make sense that a writer wouldn't be familiar with a script that should have come from their own head.
Ding-dong—
At that moment, the notification sound appeared again, announcing a new writing location.
[Content: The Chaebol Heir is a Pure-hearted Macho, Part 6] [Genre: Romance, Chaebol] [Location: Tempest Entertainment 1st Floor Cafe] [Time Limit: 24 hours] [※ Bronze Promotion: 110-110101-1011(Virtual Account, W Bank)] [※ Deposit Amount: 0 won / 1,000,000 won]
"This is the first time it's the same place."
With 24 hours, there was plenty of time.