NOVEL WEB Episode 85 - Michelangelo
Inside the editing room, a man was on the phone with a discontented expression. Through the receiver he held, the dry voice of another man echoed.
[That doesn’t mean we can create something out of nothing, right? We’re not those aggressive types. Besides, didn’t you invest quite a bit over there? Yet just because we let go of some mediocre supporting actor, they managed to turn it into a cameo opportunity over there.]
In response to the ensuing complaints, the voice on the other end of the line turned cold.
[Kim Seung-kwan PD. So, wasn’t it your responsibility to direct well from the start? Is that something to say to the side that invested? We find it amusing. Are you so reluctant to even do the trivial work of making a drama?]
Kim Seung-kwan PD, the main director of MBS’s ‘Valdor’, recalled the tremendous influence and terrifying rumors circulating within the entire Korean entertainment industry caused by those who didn’t even know their true identities.
“Oh, no, that’s not it, sir. I think I lost my mind for a moment due to frustration.”
[People always regret the past only after losing something. Wouldn’t it be better to do well in advance? Be careful not to regret it.]
“Yes, I apologize.”
With a twisted expression, Kim Seung-kwan silently acknowledged.
[Anyway, this matter is difficult to handle because a man named Kim Joo-seong from your side is tightly holding onto it. So, just let go of any lingering attachment. …I mean, you should have made a good drama from the start.]
– Click. –
“Ha.”
Listening to the humiliating words and abruptly receiving the notification, Kim PD couldn’t detach his smartphone from his ear, frozen in place as he sighed heavily.
Meanwhile, the man who had been berating Kim Seung-kwan PD slammed down the phone in his office.
“I’m sorry, senior.”
A subordinate, standing before his desk as if on a gallows, stretched his neck and bowed deeply.
The man who ended the call tapped the black nameplate on his desk, which read ‘Manager Kim Gye-sik’, against his subordinate’s neck like it was an execution, then spoke sharply.
“Don’t report this separately to Chairman. There’s no need to make him uncomfortable by showing him these petty matters. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
“Yes, senior.”
The subordinate bowed even deeper.
“We must find a way to exploit Kim Joo-seong’s weaknesses somehow.”
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‘Master Plan’ continued its voyage with the momentum from its initial start, steadily sailing ahead.
As the second week approached, it surpassed 6 million viewers, and it had already crossed its breakeven point of 4.7 million early on.
Some of these viewers naturally flowed into ‘The Star Beyond the River’, currently airing with Yeon-woo as the lead, causing his appearance fees to skyrocket.
“Hm, what should I do?”
Yeon-woo pondered over various advertising scripts spread out in his office. Returning to Seoul from a trip with friends, he had no fixed schedule and was considering activities outside of his work, such as CFs and fan signing events, as suggested by Chairman Kim Joo-seong.
Money is always good.
Although he didn’t plan to hoard money like he did in his past life, and personal wealth wasn’t his goal, even if he opposed the enigmatic group ‘Baek Sol’ in the future, receiving support from Han Hae-woon through Baek No-ya’s fund would be essential.
“But doing too many things wasn’t desirable either.”
Objectively speaking, his value would increase with each work he did. So, if he signed a contract for one product, he might have to give up other advertisements that could bring in higher amounts from competing brands during the contract period. It would be foolish to accept every advertisement offer without considering this.
“For now, let’s fix this.”
He set aside the car and carbonated beverage advertisements, feeling confident that he could digest the contents of the concept sent to him better than what was originally proposed.
The Netflix audition wouldn’t start for a while, so he had some time to think about the other offers.
– Ding! –
His smartphone rang.
“Hm? Director Park Chan-hong?”
Yeon-woo swiped his smartphone screen to answer the call.
“Yes, Director.”
[Hey, Yeon-woo. Are you busy?]
“No, I was just taking a break. I saw the news today about reaching 6 million viewers. Congratulations.”
Yeon-woo’s congratulations were met with Director Park’s hearty laughter on the other end of the line.
[It’s thanks to you. I should congratulate you too. A blue-chip actor who captures both the big screen and the TV screen.]
“Not at all, thank you, Director.”
Yeon-woo awkwardly smiled and expressed his gratitude upon hearing Director Park Chan-hong’s casual words that seemed out of place with his usual demeanor.
Then, Director Park’s voice came through the receiver again.
[I called today because of what we discussed when we were leaving the preview screening. Ah, I’ll prepare the meal.]
“No, if there’s something you want to discuss, I should be the one to prepare. I’m available anytime from today onwards. Will it be convenient for you to talk at your preferred time?”
‘What’s the request?’
Yeon-woo chuckled at Director Park Chan-hong’s unfamiliar manner.
“I’m fine today.”
[Is that so? Then, I’ll send you the time and place. Sorry for arranging it abruptly.]
“No problem, Director. Just let me know, and I’ll adjust my schedule accordingly.”
After ending the call, Yeon-woo pondered.
‘What else could the director want to ask me for besides a movie role? It’s something I would welcome from my end rather than being asked in this manner.’
Shortly after, a message with the time and location arrived on Yeon-woo’s smartphone.
– Buzz… –
Following the staff’s guidance, Yeon-woo entered the door, and Director Park Chan-hong stood up to greet him.
“Welcome, Yeon-woo.”
“Hello, Director.”
Director Park warmly shook Yeon-woo’s hand, which was politely extended for a handshake, and patted his shoulder while smiling.
“Please, have a seat. I’ve prepared the course menu. Do you have any dietary restrictions?”
“I’ll eat anything.”
As the two sat facing each other, Director Park mentioned, “I heard the drama shoot went well.”
“Yes, thanks to you, Director. I was able to learn and grow more as an actor while filming ‘Master Plan’, which allowed for a good conclusion.”
“Haha, it seems like an old man feels pleased hearing such words.”
Director Park smiled satisfactorily as he looked at Yeon-woo and continued, “When people talk about the persona in my film career, they often mention actor Jung Ha-kyun.”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
The term ‘persona’ refers to the actor who has been like the director’s alter ego, accompanying him throughout his filmmaking career.
Reflecting on the career of actor Jung Ha-kyun, who played the role of Park Kang-woo, the villain and target in ‘Master Plan’, it’s evident that he has worked with Director Park Chan-hong in numerous projects.
“This time, I wrote the screenplay, or rather, I’ve been holding onto it since entering the film industry.”
Director Park took out a yellow envelope from under his coat and placed it on the table.
“Until now, I’ve actually made my works while thinking about how to attract more audience and how to make them look more grand and magnificent. This was true even when I directed ‘Master Plan’.”
Raising the glass in front of him to his lips and then looking back at Yeon-woo, Director Park Chan-hong asked, “Do you happen to know how the press evaluates me?”
“They call you a master of commercial films.”
“That’s right.”
Director Park nodded at Yeon-woo’s words, then smiled bitterly and continued.
“That’s the good way of putting it, but some people also evaluate me as a director who only aims for money-grabbing commercial entertainment.”
Yeon-woo listened to Director Park Chan-hong’s mixed words with a somber expression.
“But here’s the thing. While shooting this movie, as I watched you in frame after frame, it felt like the script I wrote a long time ago was calling out to me through you.”
Pushing the yellow envelope on the table towards Yeon-woo, Director Park continued.
“Michelangelo discovered an angel trapped in marble and sculpted until he set that angel free. It might sound too grand to say, but watching you act within the frame, it felt like I discovered this script just like Michelangelo did. Directors call this a ‘persona’.”
Unlike what’s talked about in the media, ‘persona’ for directors doesn’t simply refer to actors who have appeared in their works frequently. It’s about whether they found the right actor for the role through casting or whether the actor themselves inspired the script. This makes a big difference, and so far, Director Park Chan-hong hadn’t encountered such a persona, so he hadn’t attempted an artistic film that suited that persona.
Yeon-woo stared silently at the yellow envelope presented by Director Park Chan-hong.
The Director Park he met today felt distinctly different from the one he had seen before. He wasn’t usually a talkative person, nor did he outwardly express what he wanted. Yeon-woo had seen countless people from various countries throughout his past lives and had met many successful people in various fields by infiltrating into different countries’ political circles. Looking at Director Park Chan-hong now, Yeon-woo made up his mind. After a few moments of silence, Yeon-woo finally spoke up.
“I’ll do this movie.”
As Yeon-woo declared his decision without even reviewing the script, Director Park Chan-hong’s eyes widened.
“No, let me explain first. I plan to make this independently using my own funds, so I won’t be able to offer a substantial pay. It’s a humanistic drama, and the goal is to submit it to film festivals, but whether it will win any awards…”
“Director.”
Yeon-woo interrupted Director Park Chan-hong’s various explanations.
“I felt myself growing while working on ‘Master Plan’. I want to shoot another movie with you. Instead of getting paid, I want to invest in this movie too.”
“I didn’t plan to accept any investments, but if that’s your thought, then I welcome it. Let’s make this movie together.”
While Director Park Chan-hong urgently provided additional explanations without even reading the script, his eyes were filled with confidence in success. Those who fail may speak sweetly about the taste of success, but their eyes are filled with uncertainty and fear. On the contrary, those who succeed may speak cautiously, keeping the worst-case scenarios in mind, but their eyes are always filled with confidence.
Whatever the content of the script, if Yeon-woo discovered himself in it through Director Park Chan-hong’s eyes, it would fit him like a tailor-made outfit. There was simply no reason to refuse.