A Genius Director Who Dominates OTT Platforms - Chapter 9

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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 9

* * *

Chae Seo-hui, who had read the revised script, spoke with an excited face.

“Let’s send the script to our Research Team late.”

The Research Team is a team that analyzes a work’s box office success, improvement points, viewing patterns, and such through internal data, but at SSK they also handle S&P work.

S&P, Standards and Practices.

Work that blocks risks like explicit content, violence, hate speech, drugs, self-harm, and suicide advocacy.

Naturally, we need to get the Research Team’s okay before casting…

Send the script late?

“Why?”

“The content itself hasn’t changed much from the original anyway. Since the original got approval, this should be fine too.”

“Yes. I know. That’s why I was trying to proceed quickly. Is it because of the Senior?”

“Even though that person’s personality is a bit… they’re capable.”

I saw it too at the weekly meeting.

They control the CEs like catching mice, but just looking at their work, there’s a lot to learn.

There’s a reason they were the Korea head in the past.

“If the Senior sees this script, they won’t just sit still, right? They’ll definitely try to intervene.”

“That’s good, right?”

“Yes. It’s good. So good. No, it’s so so so good. How on earth did you do this?”

“I demonstrated my abilities.”

“It’s kind of annoying but… I acknowledge it. Completely acknowledge it. So let’s hide this for now and proceed with work among ourselves.”

Looking at her face, she seems really motivated.

But…

“It probably won’t matter.”

“Why?”

“Just wait and see.”

Chae Seo-hui tilted her head, and exactly 2 hours later.

An F.E.M dropped in front of me.

It was CE Kang Mu-tae, the Senior’s right hand, who brought the documents.

“How much script revision is done?”

“It seems like it’ll take a few more days.”

“Are you going to promote Chae Seo-hui to Second too?”

Glancing at Chae Seo-hui’s face, her eyes were desperate.

It’s not like her eyes changed after seeing the script – wasn’t she the one who wanted to help me from before?

I refreshingly wrote in Chae Seo-hui’s name.

When we both signed, Kang Mu-tae opened his mouth with a strange expression.

“Dohyeon-u.”

“Yes.”

“Don’t be too confrontational.”

“Pardon?”

“I had some prejudices too, but you seem to be working hard, so I’m telling you this. Bow down and go along with the Senior. That’s how you’ll get your contract renewed.”

But I’ve never opposed them?

I didn’t do anything, yet from day one they kept picking fights saying “head office, head office” – who was that?

“Thank you for the advice.”

“The script is good, so try to get good reviews from critics first.”

After CE Kang left, Chae Seo-hui shrugged her shoulders.

“As expected, they see critic picks as the limit.”

“Right.”

“By the way, did you know the FEM would come down?”

“Just, you know.”

“As expected of someone recommended by the head office.”

I didn’t have anything appropriate to say, so I just shrugged my shoulders.

“But what about the lead casting? There was only a supporting cast list.”

“That’s why I’m not coming to work tomorrow.”

“You’re meeting with a lead actor? Who is it?”

“It’s a secret.”

* * *

When you’re living as an unknown actor, it’s easy to find reasons to give up.

Because the director likes actors with recognition, because the writer has a style of writing with fixed images, because the production company wants ticket power.

Among the endless reasons that force you to give up, there was only one reason I endured acting.

Because I liked it.

I didn’t succeed as an actor, but I was able to give up because I went all the way to the end.

In the same context, there are overflowing reasons to give up on casting Eum Seong-hyeon (Unpack’s real name).

But I don’t want to give up based on simple assumptions.

Eum Seong-hyeon’s conditions are the worst.

Last night, after learning Eum Seong-hyeon’s identity, I worried for hours holding my head.

To cast Eum Seong-hyeon right now, I started worrying whether even supporting casting would be possible.

But I believe in the power of the work.

What I saw through my supernatural ability was a perfect work.

And a considerable part of that perfection stems from Hyeon-tae’s role.

I want to create such a work.

Even if the moment comes when Accomplice crashes spectacularly and I realize that box office success is impossible with just completeness…

I won’t resent my supernatural ability.

That experience will tell me what path I should walk as a CE.

I already like this job.

This was the reason I was trying to find justification for casting Eum Seong-hyeon using every method available to me.

‘It seems like I’m asking for trouble though…’

Actually, the easiest method would be for Tivic to show interest in Eum Seong-hyeon and set up an audition.

But then we’d evaluate the actor based only on their current acting skills.

Could it be that Eum Seong-hyeon acts best in the world, so my supernatural ability recommended them?

It’s probably in the realm of synchronization rate, like innate temperament or tendencies.

They might have tremendous acting talent, but for now, this is my judgment.

So I was planning to peek at Eum Seong-hyeon’s personal side.

If that side is far from Hyeon-tae, I won’t be stubborn about it anymore.

So my steps headed toward M2M’s office building, a shabby small building in Bangbae-dong.

M2M’s office building had an unusual structure, using only basement level 2 and ground floors 1-5 of a 6-story building.

But what made me flustered wasn’t the unusual structure, but the lax security.

The access control was so lax it was hard to believe they were raising celebrities.

Even if Agent Secret isn’t popular, isn’t Tune doing quite well these days?

The reason I’m so bewildered is that when I opened the door to an office without even a bell, it was completely empty.

I even witnessed the office phone ringing cheerfully before I even entered.

The phone kept calling so persistently that I was wondering if I should answer it.

“Huh? Who are you?”

The door opened and three men and women came in giggling with a donut box tucked under one’s arm.

They definitely don’t look like office workers, but one voice was familiar.

“Are you Manager Jo Seong-chan?”

“Oh, that’s me?”

“Hello. I’m Dohyeon-u from Tivic who called yesterday.”

“Tivic? Ah, that, Director?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“Oh my, have you been waiting long?”

“I just arrived.”

“Let’s go to the cafe. The office is too noisy.”

And so Jo Seong-chan, the manager from Agent Secret, guided me to the cafe next door.

But his opening words were quite something.

“What exactly did you say yesterday? Ah, I really didn’t think you’d actually come.”

What the hell is this supposed to mean?

A management director forgot the meeting agenda and didn’t even trust the appointment?

What kind of company is this?

“Tivic is planning an original work this time, and we need some research.”

“Ah, I remember. Something about shitty idols and shitty small companies, right?”

No, I never used such words.

“It’s a story about unknown idols and a small company. So we need some interviews and data research.”

“That’s perfect then. We’re really on the verge of bankruptcy.”

“But isn’t Tune doing well on variety shows recently?”

Instead of answering, the manager glanced at me and trailed off.

“But is there, you know, any interview fee for this?”

“Of course we have to pay.”

“How much…?”

I deliberately mentioned a vague amount.

Fine for him to pocket alone, but pocket change from the company’s perspective.

“You mean Tivic will process the expenses?”

“No. Cash, no receipt.”

At the mention of cash, the manager’s expression changed slightly.

He’s probably thinking of pocketing it himself.

For reference, this wasn’t my money, but activity funds allocated to CEs.

Can’t use personal money to eat with actors.

Originally, this money doesn’t even go to assistant CEs, but Seong Tae said it would come out if he got F.E.M.

“Ah, what were we talking about?”

“Tune.”

“Oh, Tune. There’s barely any money. He’s earning a little bit, but considering what we’ve invested in making albums, we’re still far off.”

“Isn’t the company giving up on the team?”

“It’s ambiguous. There’s about a year left on the contract, but I’m not sure if we can renew if we only take Tune.”

“Why?”

“The kids are really close. They’ve been through hard times together.”

“But isn’t there some jealousy? I heard it gets chaotic when only one or two members in a group do well.”

“Nah, our kids don’t have that. Plus, Tune is the leader and has that neighborhood boss style.”

“Ah, he’s the leader. Then what do the other members usually do?”

“Just, you know, practice choreography, study foreign languages, compose music. That sort of thing.”

It sounded like a made-up answer, but I nodded for now.

“Actually, I looked at the profiles on the way here today, and Unpack’s image fits well for a supporting role in the work I’m handling.”

“Seong-hyeon?”

“Yes. It was Eum Seong-hyeon, right? The surname is unusual so I memorized it right away.”

The manager immediately frowned.

“He won’t work because he has no social skills.”

“Can’t he act?”

“We haven’t tried, but whenever there’s trouble among the kids, it’s always Seong-hyeon.”

“Really? What does Seong-hyeon usually do?”

“Probably nothing.”

The reaction is quite negative.

How can I naturally meet Eum Seong-hyeon like this?

I was racking my brain when the manager brought up something out of the blue.

“Director. You also do field research, right?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“Ahem, is that a separate interview fee?”

“Yes. It’s case by case.”

“Then would you like to follow the kids around to their events?”

Events? Really?

“Do you get events?”

“We get them here and there. We get 500-600,000 won, but after gas, tolls, and meal costs, there’s nothing left… Oh, but tomorrow’s in Pangyo so it’s a bit better.”

I wondered what a proper interviewer would ask and opened my mouth.

“What kind of event is it?”

“Some game company’s team-building event. A plan where celebrities appear at the very end of the employee talent show.”

“Agent Secret’s songs must have some recognition.”

“What are you talking about? They’re covering famous boy group songs.”

“Ah.”

“You really don’t know anything. You’ll need to do a lot of research.”

I scratched my head awkwardly while looking at the grinning Jo Seong-chan.

“I guess so. But what should I say when I follow along? If I say I’m a director, they won’t show their usual behavior, right?”

“I don’t know? Even if you just say you’re a substitute manager, the kids probably won’t even ask.”

“Still.”

“Then what about… saying you’re a YouTube planner experiencing the field for content?”

“That sounds good?”

“No wait. You’re good-looking, so let’s just go with aspiring YouTuber.”

* * *

From my perspective, it was a good opportunity so I said okay, but honestly I thought it might be a strange picture…

“He’s just someone to drive for today. Call me if you need anything.”

“Yes.”

The Agent Secret members had no interest in me whatsoever.

Jo Seong-chan didn’t even introduce me.

He just roughly explained the schedule and told them to go.

Yesterday he definitely acted like he’d come along, but did he change his mind after getting the money?

Or was he dumping work on me because he didn’t want to work?

Whatever it was, it was something I could welcome.

“We’re departing.”

I don’t know if Eum Seong-hyeon recognized me or not.

I thought our eyes met briefly, but he showed no interest.

He had his hat pulled down low so he might not have seen my face properly.

I drove the Carnival while observing the members, especially Eum Seong-hyeon, with interest.

But the interest in my eyes disappeared in an instant.

“Ah, it’s cramped.”

“…”

“Move over!”

Despite a stranger being present, they all acted without restraint.

It would be one of two things.

Either I seemed too easy-going, or their behavior was too habitual.

If it’s the latter…

What kind of hell has Eum Seong-hyeon been living in?

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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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