One week later, on the day of the commercial shoot.
The filming set for Im Jaejun's beverage commercial, Yonji University.
The CF director repeatedly exclaimed in admiration as he looked at the script.
"Writer-nim, no matter how I look at this, it's too good to be used for a commercial."
Hearing his words from the side, I gave a bitter smile.
"Then you just have to shoot it well enough that it's not a waste."
"Ah, yes! But if you could just explain the background here a little..."
He asked again about things that a director like Song or Sung would have understood immediately.
Because, in the end, directing a commercial and a drama requires different kinds of skills.
"Um, I'm sorry, but could you be a little more detailed..."
"I'll just stay by your side."
"Oh! Really? Thank you. Haha."
"It's a job I'm getting paid for."
There was no clause stating that I had to be on set the whole time.
But still, since it was a script written with the system, I wanted to protect its quality.
"We're rolling. Ready."
I hadn't studied directing, but I had seen the drama by myself.
I felt I could more or less understand the camera composition and focusing.
"Action!"
Soon, Jaejun hands a drink to his junior.
The junior blushed and received the drink with both hands.
I observed meticulously as if we were filming a real drama.
While carefully checking everything from the camera's height to the left-right symmetry.
"Director-nim, I think it would be good to zoom in here."
"Hmm, it feels a bit too much like a drama, but..."
"It's good if the quality is high. Let's just shoot a variety of things and edit it well."
"Ah, yes. I think that will work. Haha."
Perhaps because I was interfering so meticulously from the side, the filming time grew longer.
A total of twenty scenes, for a four-part, 10-minute series, it was impossible to shoot in one day.
I had no choice but to help with the detailed directing next to the director for several days.
Three days later,
it was a tiring job work-wise, but the result was satisfying.
"Good work, everyone!"
"I was too much of a bother, wasn't I? I'm sorry."
"Ah, not at all. I'm the one who should be more thankful."
The director forced a smile and checked the footage.
"It's hard to believe I filmed this."
"You did it all, Director-nim."
"Wow, I knew Mr. Im Jaejun was handsome, but this commercial is..."
At that moment, Jaejun approached and spoke.
"Hyungnim, you worked really hard today as well."
"You worked hard too."
The Yonji University students watching the filming set from afar.
In particular, the female students would go wild even if Jaejun just gave them a single glance.
No, it looked like they were just teasing him.
"Oppa, you're so cool!"
"KYAAAAA!!"
"Jaejun oppa!!"
Some of those calling him oppa looked like they were older than Im Jaejun.
"Hyungnim, you're coming to the wrap party on the weekend, right?"
"Huh? Ah, of course."
"Semi probably can't make it. She has a schedule in Japan again..."
"Is Semi-ssi done with her filming?"
"Yes. Semi has already filmed all her parts."
Perhaps because I had written the script to completion from the start.
The filming flow of "Pure-hearted Macho" was more efficient than any other drama.
Thanks to that, it was more than possible to film one actor's parts in advance.
"I hear Purple Girls is doing really well in Japan these days."
"To be precise... I heard the reaction to 'Pure-hearted Macho' is hot in Japan."
Jaejun cleared his throat a couple of times as if embarrassed to say it himself.
"Have they aired up to episode 4 in Japan?"
"Yes, hyungnim. That's what I heard."
Certainly, the reaction to Purple Girls, who were going back and forth between Korea and Japan, was unusual.
"To think the filming for 'Pure-hearted Macho' is already coming to an end."
Before I knew it, only one day was left until the final shoot of "Pure-hearted Macho."
Beep-beep-beep—
When I opened the front door and entered the house, Heejung was watching a music show.
"Are you unemployed? Why are you just stuck at home?"
"What are you talking about? I went to the academy and had a shoot today, I was so busy."
"A shoot?"
"Hmm... you don't need to know. Hehe."
"..."
Just then, Purple Girls appeared on the music show.
"Wow, they're a candidate for first place?"
"Of course. They're hot in Japan these days. Haven't you heard of the K-pride coin?"
"...I'm close with them."
"Idiot."
Until now, Purple Girls had never once hit number one on a music show.
But to think they would join the ranks of tier-1 girl groups in such a short time.
-Now, the number one for this week, with all scores combined, is?
Yoo Seol-ah, who had reigned for a long time as the nation's little sister and one-top solo female singer.
And Purple Girls, who had now firmly established themselves as a top girl group.
"This... the opponent is too tough."
"I know, right, how can they beat Yoo Seol-ah."
However, the MC's announcement shattered everyone's expectations.
-This week's number one is Purple Girls! Congratulations!
"They won this? How'd they do it."
"Wow... that's amazing. Purple Girls."
"At this rate, aren't they going to hit number one on the Oricon chart too?"
"Well, I wonder. Can they do that with a Korean song?"
"They beat Yoo Seol-ah!"
Purple Girls' first number one on a music show.
Several members shed tears and celebrated.
After going through a long period of obscurity, they had risen to a tier-2 girl group.
And now, thanks to "Pure-hearted Macho" and their Japanese activities, they had finally reached the top.
-Thank you to our fans. Our CEO, manager oppas, the Rainbow family...
Soon after, Semi, who was handed the microphone, added a word.
-The person who always believed in me... I am truly grateful to many people.
Semi's figure as she bowed was brighter than at any other time.
"Hooly, Semi is a real goddess."
"Hmm... she is."
"To think my oppa is on personal chat terms with someone like that...!"
"We still chat sometimes. You fool."
Heejung stared blankly at the female idol on the TV.
A pure smile settled on the face of Semi, who had gotten a solo shot.
It must be hard with so much work, but she didn't even show a hint of fatigue.
"Rainbow Entertainment does their job well."
I don't quite like their work method of overworking the members.
But I have no choice but to acknowledge their skill in seizing an opportunity and expanding the board.
Purple Girls, who had started their Japanese activities right before "Pure-hearted Macho" began airing.
In a way, it was foresight, or maybe they just read the trends well.
"Come to think of it, Purple Girls' success is also..."
Isn't it all thanks to Manager Jung Saerom? While I was writing the script in Busan, she had pioneered the Japanese market. I heard that she had pushed ahead, having predicted the performance of "Pure-hearted Macho" to some extent.
"It's a huge profit from my perspective."
It was by no means a loss for my next project either.
Since Purple Girls' leader, Miryung, is appearing as the sub-female protagonist.
I picked up my smartphone and checked the internet articles.
"'Pure-hearted Macho' Conquers Japan's Living Rooms! The K-Culture Invasion!"
As befitting a K-pride article, the netizens' excited reactions naturally followed.
-I wonder if Japan's Four Heavenly Kings are finally going to change lolol -It's not at that level yet lololol -It's true that its popularity is insane for a show that's only aired 4 episodes -Let's just send Yong-sama to the Hall of Fame now, he's a legend -Im-sama vs. Ji-sama, pick one lol -They'll probably settle on the Five Heavenly Kings ㅎ
It was then.
Ding-dong—
I thought it had quieted down because of the multi-writing, but my worries were unfounded.
[Content: The Regressor Who Erases Memories, Part 12] [Genre: Time Loop, Romance, Crime Thriller] [Location: Tempest Entertainment 1st Floor Cafe] [Time Limit: 23 hours] [※ Gold Promotion: 110-110101-1011(Virtual Account, W Bank)] [※ Deposit Amount: 0 won / 500,000,000 won]
"Finally, a cafe..."
Thinking about the hard time I had in Busan makes me shudder.
I don't know how long it's been since such a normal place has appeared.
"Tomorrow is the last day of filming."
For now, should I write the script first and then stop by the set?
The next day, Tempest Entertainment.
I checked for the halo of light in the familiar cafe.
"It's already Part 12."
I was quite relaxed since I was writing for a project whose broadcast was already confirmed.
And it made sense, since KBC had even made a pilot variety show.
If anything, it would be stranger for the drama production to be canceled.
Step, step—
Probably the last part I will write before the meeting with the lead actors.
"Ah...!"
I let out a gasp the moment the halo of light penetrated my mind.
Clack-clack, clack-clack-clack—
「The Regressor Who Erases Memories, Part 12」
In this part, the cargo truck driver showed the essence of villainous acting.
The male protagonist, after a bloody battle with his opponent, barely managed to subdue him.
-Cough.
In the end, he vomits blood and collapses.
He thinks about using his regression ability, but he's not confident he can subdue the villain even if he regresses.
In the end, the person who cares for the fallen protagonist is the sub-female protagonist.
"So Miryung recovers her memories... emotional expression will be really important then."
The injured protagonist has partially lost his regression ability.
And his ability to erase memories is also somewhat sealed.
In that process, Miryung's psychological change is the key to this scene.
"If it becomes like this..."
Isn't the villain's role too big? It would be difficult to fully express that role with mediocre acting skills. Suddenly, I thought of someone I had made a connection with in "Pure-hearted Macho." The only actor I had registered in the system at the time, aside from the leads.
"Actor Shin Johoon."
It's just because "Pure-hearted Macho" hasn't aired up to episode 14 yet.
It's clear that his potential will explode soon, and his value will rise.
I have to talk to him at the wrap party today, no matter what.
Clack-clack, clack-clack-clack—
Around the time I had finished revising the script and was doing a final check.
"You were here."
"Huh?"
Click, clack—
A woman with neat brown hair slowly walked over.
"Manager Jung."
"You know today is the last day of filming, right?"
"Ah, of course."
"I came to tell you about one of our sponsors..."
"Excuse me, Manager Jung."
"Yes?"
I immediately asked about actor Shin Johoon.
I definitely remembered recommending him for an audition at Tempest.
"Ah, yes. We've already signed him."
That's a relief.
"Actually, all the employees were against it."
"Pardon?"
"I decided to trust your eye for talent one more time, Writer Kim."
"...It's an honor."
He probably wouldn't have been able to sign a contract even if he had wanted to after "Pure-hearted Macho" ended.
Because various agencies would be offering contracts worth hundreds of millions to get him.
"But you were talking about a sponsor earlier..."
"Ah, a sponsor we never even contacted suddenly made a proposal first."
"Where?"
"Oseong Foods said they would sponsor us. I was just wondering if you knew."
"Hmm, Oseong Foods is where Jaejun filmed that beverage commercial."
"...The next project has no connection to actor Im Jaejun."
That's true.
But if I had to say there was a connection.
"Because my script was good?"
"The script?"
"Ah, that commercial script..."
At that moment, Team Leader Byun slowly approached.
"Manager-nim, Writer-nim. I think we have to go now. For now, I've made a reservation at the meat restaurant in front of JTBS."
It depends on the contract, but in most cases, the production company is in charge of the wrap party as well.
Especially for a hit drama like "Pure-hearted Macho," even a party like that is produced as a piece of content.
Just by uploading it to Tempest's official YouTube, the profits automatically follow.
"Then, Writer-nim, shall we go together?"
"Yes."
"Pure-hearted Macho" final filming set.
I passed by the staff who were clearing the set and looked for someone.
"Actor Shin Johoon."
"Ah, Writer-nim!"
Perhaps because of his villainous makeup, he had an impression reminiscent of a real gangster.
"Thanks to you, I've been acting comfortably these days."
"Thanks to me?"
"Yes! It's not an ordinary thing to act without an agency."
"Ah..."
A little out of the blue, but I offered a handshake to actor Shin.
"We're eating from the same pot now."
"Ah, ah, yes."
Ding-dong—
Soon, the system officially acknowledged his existence.
[An actor with 91% compatibility with the role has been discovered.] [Do you want to register this actor for the role of 'Geum Sihyuk'? (Y/N)]
It was the first time an actor's compatibility rate had surpassed 90 percent.
Of course, once registered in the system, the compatibility rate is fixed at 100% without exception.
But considering the scripts that have already been written and passed, I have to grab him.
"Mr. Shin, you haven't decided on your next project yet, right?"
"What? Well, the agency..."
The main villain who pushes the protagonist with a cargo truck in the next work.
The role of a troubleshooter who has been handling the dirty work under a chaebol family for a long time.
He might be typecast as a villain actor, but if he's okay with it.
Wouldn't it be a golden opportunity to succeed in two consecutive works?
"Let's go with me one more time."
"What? Ah..."
In this work, the charisma of the villain is as important as, if not more than, the previous one.
In reality, it could be seen as the role with the most weight after the lead actors.
At that moment, a man strode over and put his hand on my shoulder.
"Writer Kim, we have to have a drink today too, right?"
"Ah... Teacher Choi."
Actor Choi Manho, grinning at me.
He had already filmed all his parts, but he had come for the dinner party.
I looked around for someone to help, but everyone had already fled.
"Hmm...?"
Even actor Shin Johoon had disappeared in that short time.
Actor Choi, without even taking his hand off my shoulder, went straight to the dinner party.
I couldn't dare to refuse a glass offered by the teacher.
However, actor Choi's drinking capacity was five and a half bottles of soju.
The next day, my soul was completely shaken out because of the alcohol, and I blacked out.
Soon, I opened my room door and trudged to the sofa.
My head felt like it was ringing until the moment I lay down on the sofa.
"Oppa, can you close your mouth and breathe? You have to worry about my nose too."
"...It's so hard."
"Then you can just go into your room."
Heejung was concentrating on a video on her smartphone.
"What are you watching now?"
"I'm thinking of switching from Ji Seongho to Im Jaejun."
"They don't even know you were born."
"Damn it, what do you know about my feelings!?"
"I don't really want to know..."
However, a question suddenly came to mind.
'I thought she was a die-hard fan of Ji Seongho for quite a long time.'
Wasn't her fandom such that she even spent 100,000 won on a video message?
Slide—
I turned my head and checked the smartphone my sister was holding.
A short drama on YouTube, with Im Jaejun as the one-top lead.
"Campus Couple Cider Ep. 1. Full Version. (feat. Oseong Cider)"
-22 hours ago -950,000 views -60,000 likes, 500 dislikes -8,000 comments
"...What is this."
Something... something is happening.