A week had passed since the lead actor meeting.
"Hahaha... I'm screwed."
I had made a bold promise in front of everyone that I would finish it in three weeks.
But what am I supposed to do if inspiration hasn't struck for a whole week?
"Is the system broken?"
I had no choice but to scribble down parts 13 and 14 on my own.
But compared to the previous content, there was a strange sense of dissonance.
As if someone else had written it.
Thankfully, I'm still surviving by releasing the pre-written scripts one by one.
But if another week passes like this, my stockpile will run out, and I'll be hounded by Manager Jung's nagging.
"If it's going to be like this, I'd rather..."
Maybe the system will activate if I go back to Jeju Island? My body suffered a bit there, but the system activated frequently.
Tiring—
At that moment, a message arrived from Manager Jung Saerom.
［Writer-nim, you still haven't checked the final list of supporting actors. You do know that the script reading is tomorrow, right?］
"Hey, who does she take me for?"
It wasn't that I didn't know; I had forgotten.
If she had been next to me, she probably would have poured a bucket of curses on me.
"For now, the script is the most important thing."
Perhaps because I had written two parts on my own for the first time in a while.
I was personally experiencing the pain of an artist living in seclusion from the world.
Soon after, I glanced over the list of supporting actors sent by Manager Jung.
It was packed with actors who were too good to remain in supporting roles.
Among them, the best of the best was actor Choi Manho.
"When I heard this person was going to be in my drama, really."
Is this what it feels like to have the whole world? I heard that Tempest Entertainment was actor Choi's former agency. Thanks to meeting a good production company, I'm even casting an actor who is more than I deserve. As expected, when it comes to production costs, the more, the better. Looking at it now, I did a really good job talking back to the department head.
Among them, Purple Girls' leader, Miryung, was also included. Within Purple Girls, she was one of the top two acting-idols.
"It's a waste for her to be just a minor role, but..."
If the roles of two members from the same group were too big, it would harm the immersion.
Suddenly, the thought that Miryung had kept her promise made me chuckle.
Didn't she say she would appear whether it was a minor or supporting role, as long as the drama was produced?
The way she keeps a promise once made, sharp as a knife.
"Then I have to keep mine too."
I had promised to speak to the director about the OST.
I sent a message to Director Sung Kihoon without delay.
［I was already thinking it would be great if the Purple Girls members participated in the OST.］
"Oh, that's great."
Seeing the positive response, my shoulders inadvertently squared.
［I'll try contacting them ㅎㅎ］
Ring, ring, ring—
I immediately called Semi.
Talking with her always feels good.
-Hello? Writer-nim!
"Semi-ssi, have you been well?"
-Of course. You called two days ago, too.
"Ah, did I?"
What was it I was going to say?
-Did you call to check on me before the script reading?
"Ah...? Maybe?"
-See, you're the only one who thinks of me, Writer-nim!
"Right? I think so too."
-Then I'll be waiting!
"Okay."
Click.
"Hmm, the person Semi is waiting for is..."
This is what you call an industry reward.
A grateful person who led me to discover the system for the first time.
If I were a musician, wouldn't she be my muse?
Ding-dong—
"She really is my muse!?"
The system, which hadn't activated for a while, started working again.
[Content: The Chaebol Heir is a Pure-hearted Macho, Part 13] [Genre: Romance, Chaebol] [Location: Rainbow Entertainment Music Studio Room 401] [Time Limit: 15 hours] [※ Bronze Promotion: 110-110101-1011(Virtual Account, W Bank)] [※ Deposit Amount: 0 won / 10,000,000 won]
'I'll have to throw away what I wrote this past week, right?'
I had almost finished writing episodes 13 and 14 over the past week.
A chance to compare how big the gap is between the system's ability and my own.
If anything, it seems like it will be a good learning experience.
A moment later,
I packed my laptop and left the house.
On the way to Rainbow Entertainment by bus.
It was the first time I had breathed the outside air in a long while after being cooped up at home for a week.
On days like this, I sometimes miss the two weeks I spent in Jeju Island.
I heard that the Tempest side had finished location scouting in Jeju a while ago.
Originally, I was supposed to participate too, but I heard they left me out, telling me to just write the script.
"They should have taken me too."
Does it make sense for a writer to miss out on location scouting?
If you look at it, Manager Jung tends to see me as a writing machine.
I mean, she even told me not to look at viewer reactions, so that says it all.
Does she think I'll listen to everything she says?
"While I'm at it, should I check the drama's reactions?"
I immediately connected to a closed community.
The D&C Side Gallery, where you can casually ask about people's parents.
"Oh, the Pure-hearted Macho gallery is already up. That's fast."
A dead gallery where a new post regenerates about once every two hours.
Manager Jung did tell me not to worry about this stuff and to focus on writing, but.
Since I have time, a quick peek should be fine...
-A rookie is the male lead of a 16-episode drama? What a waste of money lololololol -fml Semi is just a pretty backup dancer, what kind of actress is sheㅑㅑㅑ -In Purple Girls, anyone less than Jae-eun in acting is trash ㅡㅡ -Choi Manho just needs to carry them, gg -ㄴyou idiot, the writer is jumping out of a bus, how is that going to work? -ㄴlike having messi on an amateur neighborhood soccer team lol
"Hmm, I've met a formidable enemy from the start."
I'll lower the intensity a bit and connect to a Naver cafe.
An internet cafe where people talk about all sorts of dramas.
When I was an assistant writer, it was a place I frequently visited to check viewer reactions.
-The writer is a rookie and the main male lead is also a rookie... is this for real? -I feel sorry for Ji Seongho ㅠㅠ -I feel more sorry for Choi Manho;;; looks like his former agency has some dirt on him -Isn't JTBS just throwing a sacrifice for MBS to eat up? lol -Another chaebol and another rom-com??? ugh so tired of it -Dropping this without watching.
"My heart hurts. Stop hitting me."
Reading the posts felt like I was being beaten up by a fact-based violence mob.
So this is why Manager Jung told me not to check the reactions.
"You bad people... After all the industry news I've thrown your way."
I naturally logged into my alt account and started leaving comments.
There are a total of 82 posts, so about 30 minutes should be enough.
-This year's most anticipated work ㅎㅎㅎ -This might even beat MBS ㄷㄷ -Looks super fun ㅎ looking forward to it ^^ -Semi is an awesome girl >_<
As soon as I arrived at Rainbow Entertainment, I looked for the studio.
『Room 401 is scheduled for soundproofing construction. Please use the room next door.』
I ignored the warning sign on the door and went inside.
The largest halo of light I had ever seen enveloped my body.
There would be no difference in performance, but it seemed I could at least write in a comfortable position.
"If it's this big, I can probably reach it from the next room too."
Soon, I opened my laptop and started working on the script.
"Pure-hearted Macho" was entering its final stages.
The story involved the villainous chaebol kidnapping the female lead, and the two male leads resolving the situation.
In the process, the male lead rescues the female lead, and the sub-male lead sacrifices himself and is rushed to the hospital.
It was a natural cliché in terms of development, but in reality, the reaction to the sub-male lead would probably be better.
"Maybe it's because it's the final stretch..."
It's not that different from what I expected. However, there was a big difference in the details of the dialogue. In the future, it seems it would be good for my studies to write in advance and then compare.
About an hour into writing.
I was stretching for a moment to loosen my body.
Music from the room next door caught my attention.
「I'm conveying this heart of mine~♬」
"Hmm... the song is good."
So it was true that the soundproofing booth was scheduled for construction.
I didn't realize it when I was concentrating on writing, but the noise was considerable.
"Well, it's not the first time I've dealt with noise..."
Ding-dong—
However, just as I was about to focus on writing again.
A new system function suddenly activated.
[Music with 84% compatibility with the work's atmosphere has been discovered.] [Do you want to add this music to the work? (Y/N)]
"The system does this...?"
I immediately thought 'YES' and added the music.
To be honest, at first, I couldn't imagine how the music would be added.
The pure white halo of light naturally seeped into my head and inserted the music into my 'memory.'
The lead actors delivered their lines in sync with a specific scene, and the OST played softly in the background.
The music flowed naturally without interfering with the dialogue.
"This is so generous."
The more I learn, the more mysterious the world of the system becomes.
The fact that it could be visualized in my head and interfere with my memory was amazing in itself.
Thud—
I packed my laptop and checked who was in the next room.
"Reimi-ssi?"
"Huh? Writer Kim Jinwoo!"
In the studio, Reimi was working on music with Yuna.
A small cluster of light in a corner caught my eye.
The halo in room 401 was so large that it seemed to have reached this room as well, albeit on a smaller scale.
'Oh, then...'
I can just finish writing here?
"Writer-nim, I heard from the CEO. That you recommended us for the OST..."
"Ah, yes. That's right."
News really travels fast in this town.
"I'll give you the music director's number in a bit."
"Ah, yes!"
"You can probably contact him tomorrow. I'll let Director Sung know in advance."
"Thank you, Writer-nim."
"I'm the one who should be thankful."
Inside the recording booth, Yuna was contemplating whether to come out.
"Yuna is recording right now, would you like to have a listen?"
"Yes. The song I just heard, please."
Soon, I closed my eyes and entered listening mode, focusing only on Yuna's voice.
Unlike her cute impression, she boasted an explosive vocal talent.
I stood there blankly for a long time, intoxicated by her sweet voice.
Meanwhile, at that very moment when Jinwoo was listening to the song in the studio.
Semi, tired of waiting for someone for a long time, lay down on the floor.
"Ugh, why isn't he cooooming."
She had practiced enough on her own, so now she wanted to do it with someone else.
So she had been waiting for Jinwoo for over two hours.
At that moment, the leader of Purple Girls, Miryung, opened the practice room door and entered.
"Semi-ya, who have you been waiting for all this time?"
"Unni!"
Semi asked Miryung, just in case.
"Unni, did you also hear that the writer is coming today?"
"Writer Kim Jinwoo? Reimi just messaged me that she's with him."
"Huh? What!?"
"They've probably been working together in the music studio for almost an hour...?"
"Thanks!"
Tap-tap-tap-tap—
As soon as she said thanks, Semi ran to the music studio.
Miryung smiled at her proactive attitude, which was not usually seen.
"Being the lead in a drama must be really nice."
Hearing Miryung's words, Semi rushed to the music studio with quick steps.
Soon, she arrived in front of the music studio, panting.
"Hah, hah..."
She could see Writer Kim Jinwoo through the window.
"Umm..."
Writer Kim Jinwoo, standing there blankly, listening to Yuna's music like a drunk person.
It was an expression he had never shown when he was with her.
"I barely even contacted him, afraid I would disturb his writing..."
A strange emotion welled up, and it was not a pleasant feeling.
What word should she use to define this feeling she had never experienced before?
Just then, Writer Kim Jinwoo seemed to be showing his smartphone to Reimi and giving her a number.
"Hey, ah, why are you even giving her your number!"
Do a drama writer and an OST composer's work usually overlap?
Usually, they probably almost never meet like this.
Without a second thought, she immediately took action.
Fling—
"Writer-nim!!!"
Semi hurriedly opened the door and entered.
However, Writer Kim Jinwoo had already retrieved his smartphone as if he had already passed on the number.
"Semi-ssi, you're here?"
Writer Kim Jinwoo, answering as if nothing had happened.
Semi paused for a moment and then continued.
"Today... you were supposed to practice with me."
"Ah, right."
"R-right...?"
Does that mean he forgot?
"...I'm not going to practice today."
"Suddenly?"
"I didn't want to practice today, in the first place."
"No, why are you being like this..."
At that moment, Reimi, who was listening from the side, added a word without a clue.
"Hmm, perfect timing then. Writer-nim, would you like to listen to my next song as well?"
"Oh, I'd love to."
Soon, Semi called out to Writer Kim Jinwoo, who was turning his body again.
"Writer-nim!!!"
"...My eardrum almost fell out."
"Come out, quick. We have to practice the script!"
"No, you just said you weren't going to..."
"I am! Come out quickly. Quickly!"
Semi grabbed one of Jinwoo's arms and pulled.