NOVEL WEB Chapter 513
After scheduling a meeting with the writer, I headed to the broadcasting station just a few days later.
“Alright, I’ll be back soon.”
“Yes, good luck!”
Now, I was completely set to handle contracts and meetings on my own. Encouraged by Park Kang-seok, I walked alone into the meeting room.
“Kim Soo-hyun, welcome!”
“Hello.”
“It’s nice to meet you, actress.”
Inside the meeting room, there were just two people sitting: Ahn Ji-young, the writer, and the director who was supposed to be in the meeting today.
With just the two of them in the spacious room, it somehow felt more intense.
“Um, uh…”
“Don’t worry, it’s not like a job interview. Just relax.”
“Oh, okay!”
I had expected there to be other staff like assistant writers, but it was just the two of them, which was surprising.
“This is Director Kim Woo-nam, a truly impressive individual.”
“The writer’s just flattering me; I’m really nothing special.”
“No, you are not! I’ve enjoyed your works.”
I had heard about the director in advance and had done a quick search to see his previous work. It turned out he had directed some pretty famous pieces that I had seen.
“It’s an honor if you’ve watched them. Please, have a seat.”
The director seemed decent enough. He had a somewhat stern appearance, but his tone didn’t match that vibe.
“Got it.”
Well, I guess I’ll learn more as we continue the meeting.
I took a seat across from the director and writer.
“This is your first time working with this broadcasting station, right?”
“Yes, it is.”
I’ve shot a lot of variety shows here, but this is my first time coming for a drama contract.
“We’re getting investments from an OTT company this time, and it’s a joint project.”
“Oh, really?”
“It’s quite similar to the last project.”
That makes sense. Nowadays, many dramas are co-produced with OTT companies to secure budgets. Plus, for someone like the writer, the budget would undoubtedly be massive.
“So, what’s the project about?”
“Um, it’s a crime genre.”
“A crime genre?”
“Do you like it? With organizations and fighting?”
“Well, I do like it…?”
“Really?”
The director looked surprised when I said I liked it. Isn’t it normal to enjoy action?
It’s not for nothing that people generally choose action movies over romances for their first date.
“Yes, I’ve seen many popular ones.”
That likely means it has broad appeal. Naturally, I’m in the ‘like it’ camp.
“That’s great to hear. Here’s a light synopsis, take a look.”
“Sure.”
The writer handed me a thin file. It wasn’t packed with a ton of content, so I could read it quickly.
It seemed to follow a storyline where the protagonist, a prosecutor, seeks revenge against a crime syndicate for their parents.
“That sounds interesting!”
Having read it casually, it definitely looked appealing. It gave off that primitive dopamine rush.
The last work had a similar vibe, so I figured this must be something the writer specializes in.
“Then, is this my role?”
Since it was a light synopsis, there were definitely main characters, and I spotted a role that felt suited for me.
“Yes, that’s right. You’ll be a female detective working solo.”
“Oh…”
Having done all sorts of jobs until now, I’m finally playing a cop. If I take this role, I might actually wear a cop uniform.
“Here’s a temporary script to read.”
“Yes.”
After reading the script for the character I would be taking on, it felt just as I expected.
Nowadays, almost every drama or movie has a ‘girl crush’ character, especially in law enforcement roles, right?
It’s not my preferred type of character, but since it’s the role I’m being offered, it’s a strange feeling.
Looking closely, it turned out to be almost a main character role.
Maybe around two leading roles?
It’s a character that shows up almost as much as the protagonist.
…The protagonist feels burdensome, so I got this type of role instead.
“The filming schedule is likely to be in the latter half of this year.”
“Hmm… that timing works well.”
“Well, in fact, the script is still just a frame and there’s much to figure out.”
That’s true.
It really is just a rough first draft.
But since it’s Ahn Ji-young as the writer, it should be reliable.
“But the director here is also quite famous, and there are several candidates for the lead roles.”
“Does that mean casting is all that’s left?”
“Exactly! The budget is ample too!”
Hmm, honestly, I do like the role. It seems fun, especially with the fighting element involved!
“If you join us, we can cast even faster.”
“Will it really happen if I join?”
“Yes, if you participate as the lead, it’ll be a big draw for others wanting to audition.”
…Is it really that impactful?
Sounds like lip service to me.
But still…
“I do find the project appealing.”
The simple synopsis looked fun, and I liked the role.
The only problem is I feel it’s a bit too hasty to sign right now.
“If you sign now, the conditions will be better.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, since you’ll be joining from the early stages, we can offer you a better deal.”
“Oh…”
Then it might be a risk worth taking, right? After all, it’s a combination that seems unlikely to fail.
With the famous Ahn Ji-young as the writer and a competent director, plus I’m currently riding a wave of popularity.
Besides—
“By the way, are there many action scenes?”
“Yes, there will be scenes where you tackle the criminals directly.”
“If I do this, I’ll need to work out even harder.”
If I’m going to play a female detective, I’ll need a solid physique, right? Looks like quitting the gym isn’t an option.
Anyway, I said that for a different reason—
“Oh right! Kim Soo-hyun, you work out, right?”
“Yeah, I’ve been taking a break and just started up again.”
“This scene is already coming to mind.”
“…What scene?”
“Well, wouldn’t it be great if there’s a scene showing the female detective working out, dressed a bit lightly?”
“Umm….”
Hearing that seemed to ignite something in the writer, who began rambling excitedly.
A strong, beautiful female detective working out at home…
I can kind of picture that…
“Can I really pull that off?”
Wouldn’t I need to be in great shape?
I was only thinking of looking good for festivals.
“Well… if not, you can just wear more clothes to cover up!”
“Ah….”
…It means they intend to include a workout scene.
Looks like they’re quite set on this idea.
It would indeed be a pretty nice scene.
“So now we’ll move onto the contract?”
“Are you sure it’s okay to settle it like this?”
Isn’t it standard to do a light test before officially confirming a contract to see if we mesh well?
But the writer looked completely confident.
“I’m sure you’ll manage it somehow.”
“…Will I really?”
“And I had a vision for the closing credits.”
“What kind of vision?”
“I think it’d be beautiful with you in a uniform doing an action scene. The director agrees.”
“Really?”
Subtly, I glanced at the director sitting next to the writer with a serious expression.
…Does he look like someone who enjoys uniforms or something?
“It’s all about fitting the viewers’ taste.”
“Ah…”
“People often have a fantasy about specific occupations. In a good vs. evil narrative, having a strong position is even more appealing.”
Hmm, so that’s why the main characters are a prosecutor and a cop?
If the characters are attractive, even better!
“So who will play the protagonist?”
They seemed a bit younger here; did they already have a candidate in mind?
“We’re looking for someone young and physically fit.”
“Oh… could you give an example?”
The writer answered my question.
“We’re aiming to cast people similar to Chang-sik or Han-gyeong, who I worked with before.”
“Could it be Chang-sik again?”
“…You might be the only one around here who refers to him in that way.”
Well, come on.
We’re in the same season for Credit, and it’s not like I want to work with the same guy all over again.
I’d prefer a fresh new face.
“Now that you mention it, you two are on friendly terms.”
“Yeah, just a little?”
The director nodded as if he understood my reply.
“But, well, Chang-sik might not be available.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, we tried, but it seems he already has filming commitments.”
“Oh, then how about Han-gyeong?”
“I checked during our last new year’s gathering, and he seemed to have a schedule conflict.”
“Uh-oh.”
Looks like they’re genuinely getting someone new.
“So who are the other candidates?”
“Well, I’m considering Lee Seok-hyun as well.”
“Lee Seok-hyun?”
“You know him, right?”
“I’ve heard of him….”
Hmm, I know the name, but isn’t he a pretty famous actor?
And there seems to be another recollection swirling around in my mind…
“Oh my, have you forgotten?”
“Pardon?”
Seeing my confusion, the writer looked as if she couldn’t believe I didn’t remember.
“You acted alongside him!”
“I did?”
“You don’t remember shooting that historical drama together?”
Historical drama shootings are quite old, aren’t they? Did I film a scene with that actor back then?
Um… huh?
“Was it during Lady Soo-yeon?”
“Yes, he played the main character back then.”
Ah.
Now it’s coming back to me.
When I played Lady Soo-yeon, he was definitely the male lead.
I only recalled it now after the writer pointed it out.
“It seems like you two would look great together.”
“Really?”
“Even though you were in supporting and leading roles back then, reuniting now as co-leads would certainly create a fresh dynamic.”
“That… could be true?”
Definitely, it’d be a new picture, and it would draw attention, but…
Can they just finalize the casting like that?
Ah, but Lee Seok-hyun fits all the conditions written here.
He’s physically fit, young, handsome, and a great actor.
Well, anyway—
“Then please send the contract to the agency.”
“In that case, I’ll make sure to offer you excellent terms!”
The detailed contract will be vetted by the agency, but it seems my next role is almost confirmed.