Chapter 88 – Reaction – Part 16

Chapter 88 – Reaction – Part 16

The meanings in the eyes looking at Woojin were all different.

The staff looked at Woojin as if he were a Reporter who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and Jo Jeonghwan seemed to have a sudden realization.

Kim Min had no choice but to acknowledge Woojin.

This was because Woojin’s acting was so natural and fluid.

Did he say he mainly acted as a Detective and even coached acting?

Director Jo Jeonghwan’s words began to be believed.

He had demonstrated his skill through acting as if presenting evidence in a real situation; it would be foolish to disbelieve and refute it.

Jo Jeonghwan, with a stern face, spoke to Woojin.

“Choi Wooseok, I think he got into trouble. There’s an article about him driving under the influence, hah…”

Woojin nodded without any change in expression.

Even if one always prepared for risks in group activities, anomalies were bound to occur.

Woojin opened his mouth as usual.

“Then we just need to find another Actor. Is that difficult?”

“It’s not that, but Woojin should have attended the Script Reading… I don’t think there’s an Actor as good as him for the role of the Synesthete Criminal. The image also fits.”

Jo Jeonghwan wore the expression of a frustrated person, but contrary to his outward appearance, he was quickly thinking of solutions within his mind.

And he found the answer.

But he couldn’t bring himself to say it out loud.

The Assistant Director said,

“Director, how about we proceed with the story first and look for an Actor later?”

He meant to proceed with filming and shoot the villain’s parts separately later.

Jo Jeonghwan, as before, wiped his face and said,

“First… since we have to resume this scene today. Let’s take a 10-minute break and then continue.”

“Yes.”

“Mr. Kim Min, have a cigarette. Don’t worry.”

Woojin said to Jo Jeonghwan, who had intentionally sent them away.

“It seems you have something in mind. Do you have a replacement actor?”

It was Woojin who read a faint hope in Jo Jeonghwan’s crestfallen face.

Jo Jeonghwan swallowed hard and forced an awkward smile.

“Well, about that. That is…”

“I’ll help if there’s anything I can do.”

The moment Woojin’s words fell, Jo Jeonghwan’s eyes widened dramatically.

And he quickly opened his mouth.

“You’ll help?”

“Yes.”

Woojin’s thinking was simple.

This endeavor began to mobilize ten million viewers. It was for the sake of becoming a director, and there was also an additional element of observing the collective psychology of people.

Jo Jeonghwan opened his mouth again, like someone seeking confirmation.

“You clearly said you’d help. Right now?”

Shin Woojin, who had written the entire work of Synesthete, and the acting he had just shown.

Therefore, his understanding of the character is exceptional compared to any other actor.

“Yes. I have no reason to lie.”

“If Mr. Woojin helps, it would be a great help.”

“I hope so. What can I do?”

Swallowing hard once more, Jo Jeonghwan’s eyes became resolute.

“Are you serious?”

“Director Jo, I’m going to get cancer. Just tell me.”

Woojin said that, but his face didn’t show curiosity.

And Woojin spoke first before Jo Jeonghwan.

“Are you hoping I’ll play the Criminal?”

Woojin’s words, as if reading his mind, made Jo Jeonghwan’s Candle point flicker out for a moment, but he quickly returned to reality.

And he forced a bitter smile.

He would refuse.

Woojin was someone who tried to avoid exposing himself in his works at all costs.

But taking on the role of the Criminal?

It was an absurd idea.

Jo Jeonghwan, preparing to accept Woojin’s refusal, sighed and said,

“That would be a bit difficult, wouldn’t it?”

“I have a condition.”

Jo Jeonghwan’s sagging facial muscles tightened as if returning to their place.

He sprang to his feet and spoke rapidly, like a rap.

“A condition? Tell me. I’ll accommodate you as much as possible. I promise. Really.”

“Is Actor Choi Wooseok out of Synesthete?”

Jo Jeonghwan nodded quickly.

“Of course. Absolutely. Personal incidents that can damage a movie’s image are a breach of contract. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t use him.”

“If I play the Criminal, the money…”

Jo Jeonghwan threw out an offer, intending to reel Woojin in.

“Of course, I’ll pay you. No, I’ll pay you twice as much as Actor Choi Wooseok. 140 million.”

Woojin fell silent in thought for a moment.

He was wondering if this was a natural progression of events.

Seeing Woojin’s silence, Jo Jeonghwan spoke again.

“I’ll also give you a guarantee. 50 won per spectator.”

To calculate simply, that was 50 million won per million viewers.

When Woojin didn’t answer, Jo Jeonghwan opened his mouth again.

“300 won per person! This is really not a bad deal! Popular actors…”

Woojin nodded his head.

“Yes. I’ll do it.”

“Really?! No backing out?”

Jo Jeonghwan looked around as if searching for something and said,

“Then let’s start with a temporary contract… Hey! Bring me some paper and a pen!”

Jo Jeonghwan acted quickly, in case Woojin changed his mind.

Woojin quietly watched Jo Jeonghwan, who had negotiated and concluded the deal by himself.

A natural situation was unfolding.

Someone needs me, and I respond by being compensated appropriately.

Woojin slowly nodded his head and looked at the contract Jo Jeonghwan was quickly writing.

[…140 million will be paid, and the guarantee is 300 won per audience member…]

“Mr. Woojin, should we sign first?”

Jo Jeonghwan moved quickly.

Woojin signed and said,

“140 million, and if it reaches 10 million viewers, it’s 300 won per viewer. So, if it reaches 10 million, the guarantee is 3 billion. Is that right?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

If it reaches 10 million, he would get the 3 billion to buy the house that was promised initially. 140,000,000 + 3,000,000,000.

A total of 6.14 billion would be in his account.

Woojin put more meaning into being able to choose a house more broadly than just the numbers increasing.

Of course, his face would also remain unknown.

At that moment, Jo Jeonghwan asked Woojin with a slightly uneasy look in his eyes.

He had pushed for the contract without thinking, and now reality was crashing over him like a wave.

“Mr. Woojin, it’s not that I don’t trust you… but you’re confident in acting blind, right? Right?”

Woojin nodded and replied.

“It’s all the same acting, so I don’t think there’s anything I can’t do.”

Woojin’s always calm tone completely washed away Jo Jeonghwan’s anxiety.

***

Jo Jeonghwan, who had come to Media Dragon, knocked and entered his senior’s office.

“You’re here?”

The Media Dragon Deputy Manager greeted Jo Jeonghwan warmly.

“Did the filming go well yesterday?”

“Of course.”

“That’s a relief. I knew that bastard Choi Wooseok would do that. Every time he went on Room Song and talked about being a heavy drinker, I knew this would happen, didn’t I?”

Jo Jeonghwan replied with a bitter smile.

“An accident is an accident, we need to recover quickly and proceed with filming.”

“You’re right. So, look at this.”

What his senior handed him was a list of actors who could replace Choi Wooseok.

Jo Jeonghwan hesitated, flipping through the actors’ profiles.

His senior spoke.

“I think Kim Jeonghyeon would be good for the villain. He’s like a neighborhood uncle, and he has a surprising charm, doesn’t he?”

At his words, Jo Jeonghwan smiled bitterly.

As Jo Jeonghwan looked at the actors’ profiles, he spoke.

“When I think of a villain, actor Kim Jeonghyeon comes to mind too, but I don’t think he’d suit the villain in ‘Synesthete’.”

“I think he’s fine? Why? Do you have another actor in mind?”

Woojin’s words flashed through Jo Jeonghwan’s mind.

‘Celebrities use a lot of pseudonyms.’

So the pseudonym Woojin chose was Unknown (Actor).

Recalling Woojin, Jo Jeonghwan hesitated and then spoke.

“Unknown (Actor)…”

My senior’s expression changed strangely.

“Unknown (Actor)? There was an actor like that?”

“It’s a pseudonym…”

Jo Jeonghwan said with a bright expression. He truly looked happy.

“I discovered this actor, you see? Their acting is truly amazing. I think they’re perfect for a villain role. Their acting is just… If you saw it, senior, you’d get goosebumps, wouldn’t you?”

“Really? What were their previous works?”

“None.”

“…None? Like independent films, dramas, movies, or anything like that.”

“None.”

My senior scratched his eyebrow and said,

“None? So, they only did theater?”

“No. I just felt like I couldn’t miss out, so I drew up a contract first.”

“You didn’t do a street casting or anything like that, did you?”

“Of course not. Senior, I’m putting my life on the line for this shoot. I’m paying attention to every single extra, so street casting is out of the question.”

My senior tilted his head and said,

“Am I being strange? What you’re saying doesn’t make sense to me right now. I have a strong feeling that you’re pulling someone who hasn’t done any work and just putting them in.”

Jo Jeonghwan quickly shook his head.

“That can’t be. You know I’m not that kind of person, senior.”

“Really? Well, if you say so. You signed a contract? How did you do it?”

“Well, the fee is 140 million and the guarantee is 300 won…”

My senior looked at Jo Jeonghwan with a blank expression and opened his mouth.

“Are you crazy?”

“Senior, if you come to the set and see Mr. Unknown (Actor)’s acting just once…”

“They haven’t done any works, nor have they even done theater.”

My senior, who had paused for a moment, suddenly shouted.

“Are you really determined to mess things up again like last time!? You bastard. What are you going to do if the investors find out about this? Huh! You’re acting like this because you have a source of money, so you think it’s all yours, don’t you? Huh!?”

“Senior, it’s not that…”

“Get out.”

“What?”

“I said get out! I don’t want to see your face!”

Jo Jeonghwan headed for the door like a dejected puppy.

“Hey, Jo Jeonghwan.”

At his icy voice, Jo Jeonghwan turned around again.

His senior was holding out a profile that summarized the villains of Synesthete.

“This isn’t a joke. What you said could lead to us replacing the director. I’m being considerate as your senior right now. If the investors find out what you said, we won’t be able to proceed with filming. If you understand, take this and leave.”

Jo Jeonghwan took the profile and went outside.

He leaned his back against the door he had just exited.

He knew his senior would react that way, but he felt like he was up against a wall.

He wanted to openly promote Shin Woojin, but he couldn’t do that either.

The profile in Jo Jeonghwan’s hand crumpled fiercely.

They still thought he was a failed director.

Jo Jeonghwan closed his eyes and mumbled.

“So I was a failed director, huh… I’ll show them. That my judgment wasn’t wrong, just you wait. Senior, I’ll show you.”

Just then.

“I’m about to go into the Deputy Manager’s Office, could you please move?”

A woman’s voice suddenly spoke.

She came into focus in Jo Jeonghwan’s pupils as he opened his eyes in surprise.

She had an appearance that could rival a celebrity, and with her expressionless face, she looked both cold and exuded an elegant aura.

“Oh, yes, I apologize.”

As Jo Jeonghwan moved aside, she went inside.

Jo Jeonghwan didn’t know it, but her name was Lee Hyerim.

The Media Deputy Manager’s flattering voice was heard.

“Oh my! What brings you here…? If you had called, I would have come to meet you! It’s humble, but please sit here for now.”