A Genius Director Who Dominates OTT Platforms - Chapter 67

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Genius Director Who Dominates OTT

Episode 67

* * *

Just because the two-man scene was perfect didn’t mean filming was immediately over.

We still had to capture single shots and reaction shots of Han Guk-yeong and Sa Mo-yeon for each cut.

Actor Jeon So-ra finished hers in an instant, showing off her experience, but Senior Min-sik was struggling with the reaction shots where he had to stare at the camera.

But no one was laughing at Senior Min-sik.

Everyone had come to understand that he wasn’t struggling due to lack of skill, but simply because it was unfamiliar to him.

While watching him, I looked around the area.

Since it was his first day of filming, Senior Min-sik’s sister-in-law had come, but I felt like I hadn’t seen her since briefly greeting her in the morning.

Had she left early perhaps?

That’s when I heard a voice from behind me.

“What are you looking for?”

I turned around to see actor Jeon So-ra standing there wearing a super oversized padding jacket.

It doesn’t seem to match the March weather, but it does suit her well.

“It’s nothing important. Thank you for your hard work filming today.”

“That person is interesting.”

“You mean Senior Min-sik?”

“Yes. Is it because he’s a theater actor? I like how he ignores my rhythm.”

“I also think an interesting chemistry came out.”

“Why did you do that to Kim Ra-un?”

Is it a characteristic of top stars to jump straight to the main point without preamble?

It somehow feels like talking to a slightly more socialized version of Seo Jae-yeon.

“I just knew that if I pressured him a little, he would do well.”

“The type who can’t stand even one second of being wrong?”

“Not exactly that, but you can think of it as me directing boldly because we’re close.”

“Hmm.”

I felt slightly conflicted watching Jeon So-ra tilt her head.

While we’ve communicated several times about work-related matters, this was the first time we were having a private conversation.

I wanted to ask why she appeared in our production…

Would she answer if I asked now?

I was subtly gauging the situation, but Jeon So-ra was faster.

“From tomorrow on, you can direct me too. You seemed to be avoiding it.”

“Me?”

When did I avoid it?

I watched all day, but there wasn’t really anything to add?

And even if you told me not to, I would still direct if it was necessary.

However, Jeon So-ra seemed to interpret my question as something like ‘Would it be okay for someone like me to direct you?’

“I liked the other actor.”

She said that and then left.

Hmm, she really is similar to Seo Jae-yeon.

Don’t they know each other?

I was thinking about that when someone I never expected filled the spot where Jeon So-ra had disappeared.

“D-d-did Jeon So-ra just say she likes my husband…!”

It was his sister-in-law.

“Hyeon-u! How did this, how did this happen!”

Um, sister-in-law. Sorry to interrupt while you’re speaking, but Senior Min-sik is absolutely not at that level…

Of course, I couldn’t say that out loud.

* * *

“The SSK exclusive production started its first day of filming yesterday.”

At the Tivic Korea Executive’s words, the Managing Director put down his espresso cup.

【Caught at Fingertips】.

It was quite an irritating production.

When they heard that Jeon So-ra had been cast in the production they had refused to budget for, they were quite flustered.

As soon as they heard that news, they contacted CEO Han Seong-hun to try to get involved, but SSK’s response was a refusal.

They said budget execution was already complete.

An excuse that made no sense to anyone who heard it.

But he couldn’t understand the reason for making that excuse.

“What on earth is CEO Han Seong-hun thinking?”

“Well, maybe he’s betting on Jeon So-ra?”

“Betting 10 billion on one top star? When she’s not even the protagonist? That man isn’t such a positive type.”

But whatever the case, if Fingertips succeeded, their position would become awkward.

If SSK held 100% of the IP shares, almost nothing would fall into Tivic’s hands no matter how well the production did.

From Tivic headquarters’ perspective, wouldn’t they look like idiots who invested well in failed productions but couldn’t recognize successful ones?

But he couldn’t very well say that he didn’t like that guy Dohyeon-u and couldn’t refuse Ju Yeong-hun’s earnest request.

But unlike the Managing Director, the Executive was calm.

“No need to worry about it. Our flagship production for the second half is Oxygen Alert anyway.”

The Executive tapped the tablet with his finger.

“Double the production budget, massive launch advertising spending, and no worries about quality. Ju Yeong-hun is living on set.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. They’ll be competing within the Tivic platform anyway, so even if the production quality is similar, would it be a real competition?”

That’s when a thought flashed through the Managing Director’s mind.

Competing within the Tivic platform?

Really?

“Executive, CEO Han Seong-hun isn’t a fool, is he?”

“Well, that’s true. He’s a bit stiff but capable.”

“What if it’s a platform other than Tivic?”

“Pardon?”

“No, it was strange, wasn’t it? When we heard Jeon So-ra was attached and suggested re-budgeting, what did he say? He said budget execution was finished.”

At first glance, it seemed like an emotional response because he was upset about being rejected, but Han Seong-hun isn’t that type of person.

People like that can’t grow their companies big in the first place.

“SSK has been dissatisfied with revenue distribution for quite a while, and it’s about time to renew the exclusive supply contract, but there’s been no contact…”

The Managing Director’s mind raced.

“Oxygen Alert is the last production under the contract, and if it comes out at the same time as Fingertips…”

They could test the waters before renegotiating the contract.

Even if they don’t terminate the contract entirely, they could gain an advantage in negotiations.

You saw how well we make productions, right?

We’ve been losing money all this time because the Tivic platform was too small, you know?

If Fingertips really does well too, it would be hard to refute such claims.

When there was only Accomplice as a reference, it could be dismissed as luck or a miracle, but not from the second one onward.

At the Managing Director’s words, the Executive’s face also hardened.

From Tivic Korea’s perspective, SSK was a necessary but uncomfortable company.

They needed a company that could stably supply Korean content, but it was troublesome if their head got too big.

That’s when the Executive came up with a clever move.

“Let’s move up Oxygen Alert’s launch by about two months?”

“Move up the schedule?”

“If CEO Han is testing the waters, doesn’t that mean he’s afraid to break with us immediately?”

“That would be right. If one production fails, he loses billions. If two or three fail, the company would be shaken.”

“If Oxygen Alert comes out two months early, wouldn’t he have to decide on contract renewal before seeing Fingertips’ response?”

The end of the last contractual obligation is the launch of Oxygen Alert.

They had to decide on contract renewal within 30 days from then.

Moving Oxygen Advisory, which was scheduled for October, to August would leave Fingertip’s role floating in the air.

In short, it was a clever move.

The problem was.

“Would that work? It wouldn’t be easy for us to adjust SSK’s production schedule.”

“Let’s make an excuse that the head office sent down an August promotion room directive.”

The most convenient excuse to use on subcontractor companies is the head office.

But the Managing Director held Han Seong-hun in high regard, so he shook his head.

“Let’s go with the real thing, not excuses.”

“You’ll request it from the head office?”

“Why not? Last year’s performance was good, and we had many new subscribers. We can select one work to push this year.”

“True, the lead actor is S-class too.”

The protagonist of Oxygen Advisory, Tae-ung.

Since he hit it big last year on Netflix with 【Goodbye, Goodnight】, ranking first in 93 countries, he’s an attractive card for Tivic too.

“There’s no chance Fingertip would move up their schedule accordingly, right?”

“Impossible. They started filming yesterday. With Jeon So-ra making her long-awaited comeback, Kim Ra-un filled with determination, and Min Jae-ryul at his leading role timing… How could a mere music video director whip all that into shape?”

The Managing Director, who had been thinking for a moment, nodded.

It was such a reasonable statement.

“Good. Let’s settle on that then. But if Oxygen Advisory’s quality drops, that’s absolutely unacceptable.”

The Executive made a bold promise.

“Ju Yeong-hun is giving it his all. They even started filming early because of the many underwater scenes. There’s nothing to worry about.”

* * *

About 3 weeks after the first day of filming.

For the first time in a while, I went to work somewhere other than the filming set.

Specifically, to D.P.

I had heard some incredibly shocking news.

“No, President. If you do this, I’m really in trouble.”

“What’s troubling about it?”

“An actor I discovered has become a D.P affiliate again. At this rate, I might not live to see my natural lifespan because of all the criticism.”

“Don’t you live longer when you get criticized?”

“Exactly. I feel like I’ll live excessively long, beyond my predetermined lifespan.”

D.P had signed a contract with Min-sik Sunbae.

According to Go Team Leader, as soon as Director Baek on set said “Actor Kang Min-sik acts well,” President Yun pushed for the contract.

Actually, it’s not really my business which agency an unaffiliated actor signs with, but D.P is the problem.

There are still many people who believe I received kickbacks from D.P.

But President Yun was confident.

“Hyeon-u, think about it carefully.”

“Yes. I’m thinking about it.”

“No, listen to what I’m saying and think about it carefully.”

“Yes.”

“You said it yourself, didn’t you? That you’d prioritize D.P affiliates for roles that get messed up because of Ju Yeong-hun?”

“…That’s right.”

“But instead of reviewing, you instantly filled the spots with Kang Min-sik, Jeon So-ra, and what was it, that idol friend whose name I don’t know?”

“…Yes.”

“Isn’t it because we took in Actor Kang Min-sik that your promise was kept? You’re happy because you maintained trust with me, and we’re happy because we got a good actor. What exactly is the problem here?”

Wow, what a truly results-oriented mindset.

I guess you have to be like this to run one of Korea’s top three talent agencies.

“I surrender, President.”

“Right, what’s there to worry about what people around you think? It’s not like we actually exchanged money. Oh, was I being insensitive? Was that a roundabout way of asking for kickbacks?”

“No!”

When I shouted, President Yun laughed heartily.

Listening to that laughter, I suddenly became curious.

“But President, what made you trust Actor Kang Min-sik enough to take him in so readily? It seemed like you gave him a generous signing bonus too.”

“I trusted you, didn’t I? If he acts well and the work hits, it’ll be smooth sailing. When I met him, he didn’t seem like an actor with a fixed image either.”

“What if the work flops?”

“Could that really happen?”

Maybe President Yun believes in me second only to my mother.

“Is that why you came?”

“Among other things. I also have some things to discuss about Ra-un’s personal marketing. Since he went through some trouble, I thought it would be good to consult with his agency.”

“Good, good. How convenient when the top decision-makers from both sides have close discussions?”

“I’m not the top decision-maker though. That would be President Han.”

“You’re being ridiculous. Word has spread everywhere about you securing 1.5 billion in drama budget.”

“Really?”

“If the drama succeeds, you’ll be flooded with scouting offers. Of course, you’ve already agreed to join our company.”

“Me? When?”

“You agreed to come in 3 years, didn’t you? Has it been about 6 months now?”

“That’s under consideration.”

“What, being like Kim Seong-tae?”

“Cancel that immediately.”

After that, I quickly finished handling business with the President as if we were just playing around.

They say you shouldn’t mix personal relationships with work, but I’m not sure about that.

There’s no unnecessary probing, no need to read the room, and it’s incredibly comfortable.

“I’ll be going now.”

“Sure. Give our supporting actor friends plenty more screen time.”

“Be satisfied with casting 4 people.”

With that, I headed straight to the meeting room where Go Team Leader was waiting.

“You’re here?”

It was a pre-arranged meeting.

I had reviewed the next projects for the Accomplice actors.

Or should I say former Accomplice actors now.

Everyone’s living busy lives.

Lee Seon-jae’s success is particularly remarkable.

I thought he was funny, but I didn’t know he’d be so active in variety shows.

“How was the script?”

“You said Seong Hyeon signed for a movie?”

“Yeah, good movie opportunities don’t come easily. Since it was Director Yang Ho-seok, I stamped it without hesitation.”

“Seems like a good choice. I read the script and it was interesting. Even if the screen time is short, it’s not a role you could consider low-level.”

We were discussing the scripts that had come in for the Accomplice actors’ future projects.

Suddenly, the meeting room door burst open and 4 actors poured in.

“Director!”

Having heard I was coming, those without schedules had all shown up.

Since it had been a while since we met, it was quite an enjoyable time.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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