I’m an Unknown Actress, But Everyone Knows Me - Chapter 233

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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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Chapter 233

* * *

After Myeong Jeha left, Ji Haebeom held a cat in his arms and fell into thought. Unlike the soft and fluffy texture he could feel, his mind was complicated.

‘The loss would be significant.’

He wasn’t in a position where one year would be immediately regrettable. He had already completed his military service, and Ji Haebeom was practically a hit-maker.

It would be nice to add <The Great Garland> to Ji Haebeom’s filmography, but even if it fell through, he wouldn’t suffer a major loss. He was already at the top.

‘The best method is still just to wait.’

It was simple. He just had to wait until the situation calmed down. In time, it would naturally be decided whether <The Great Garland> would continue production or be scrapped.

Even without Ji Haebeom stepping forward, projects that were meant to succeed would succeed, and those that weren’t wouldn’t.

But in the quiet hours, there was someone making Ji Haebeom’s mind noisy.

Han Yeoreum. That young actress’s voice echoed in his ears.

‘…At the script reading.’

Ji Haebeom recalled the script reading he had attended before crank-in. He had immediately caught Huijae’s subtle changes.

Huijae, who had stumbled while using the gentle tone she had learned properly, gradually changed.

‘She developed an accent.’

That’s how language acquisition works. You inevitably follow the person you converse with the most.

When Huijae promised to go see fireflies together, she was still awkward with Korean, but somehow she had come to resemble Taeseok’s way of speaking.

As if she had thought of Taeseok many times even while they were apart.

“Ah… I guess there’s no choice…”

Ji Haebeom buried his nose in the cat’s head and rubbed it. Even if he wouldn’t regret the project, he felt like he would regret letting Han Yeoreum go like this.

In a year or two, Han Yeoreum wouldn’t be at a level to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ji Haebeom, so ultimately Ji Haebeom would have to come down.

So Ji Haebeom decided to step forward and make even a project that wouldn’t work, work.

Ji Haebeom watched the cat melt away and escape from his arms, then reluctantly turned away. After searching for his phone throughout the spacious house, Ji Haebeom finally made a call somewhere.

“Hello, Manager.”

-Oh, Haebeom. Why are you calling at this hour? Is something wrong?

“Yes. Nothing’s wrong. I just wanted to tell you something.”

-Why are you making me anxious? Tell me quickly. Did you cause trouble? No, right?

“I’ll cover the investment money that was pulled from <The Great Garland>.”

Three seconds of silence passed. Soon, a scream-like shout was heard. Ji Haebeom had already moved the phone away from his ear from the moment silence began.

-Are you crazy? You need to be careful right now!

“You’re right. I guess I’m crazy…”

Ji Haebeom answered his panting agency manager without any humor.

“Ha… I don’t know what change of heart you had, but absolutely not too much. Okay? Just enough for some publicity. Let’s keep it pretty, pretty!”

“Of course. I know.”

Ji Haebeom repeatedly answered his agency manager who was excitedly making him promise several times. Looking at the disconnected call, Ji Haebeom muttered quietly.

“I should have gotten her number after all…”

A few hours later, news that Ji Haebeom was investing in <The Great Garland> quickly spread to Taiwan as well.

* * *

On the table, filming stills and materials from <The Great Garland> were neatly arranged. On the laptop screen, recently uploaded articles about <The Great Garland> were displayed.

“…The situation is better than expected.”

A middle-aged man crossed his arms and looked at the screen. Another man in a gray suit nodded.

“If we miss this timing, it’ll be ambiguous. Especially now that it’s confirmed Ji Haebeom invested directly.”

The meeting room buzzed. Just mentioning that name changed the atmosphere.

Ji Haebeom.

One of Korea’s top actors.

His direct investment with his name on the line meant confidence in both artistic merit and star power beyond simple profit. Above all, it would be a definite masterpiece that could control the currently chaotic Korean drama scene.

With unclear salary payments, absent actors, infinitely delayed schedules, hastily inserted replacement dramas, collapsing storylines in the latter half…

“Moreover, his co-star is Eun Baekhap, both are Korea’s top actors and have solid recognition even in our country.”

Just Ji Haebeom and Eun Baekhap’s appearance alone could appeal to K-drama overseas fans as well as Korea. The investment amount that China pulled out far exceeded imagination, but it was still worth trying.

The stern-looking man with crossed arms recalled something.

It was thanks to remembering <Faster Than Law> that had recently left theaters. It had already been proven since <Strange Tales> that Korean works could be popular in Taiwan.

‘Since two works in a row were hits, expectations for the next work would be even higher.’

When the Korean ban was announced, the Asian market stirred. Taiwanese investors thought they could use this situation as an opportunity.

“Tell me the story once more.”

“It’s about the Korean War that occurred after Japan’s defeat, with a man ambitious to climb the class ladder and his first love as the subject matter. It will realistically portray the post-war era.”

They could bring the premium image that Korean dramas have in Asia, and above all, being able to touch on post-war East Asian history held value beyond imagination.

“It seems like it could culturally stimulate the emotions of the Asian community.”

The stern-faced man nodded. The atmosphere seemed to have already solidified in one direction.

“And here’s Eun Baekhap’s child actor, Han Yeoreum, who as you know is currently very popular in Taiwan, ranking in all surveys targeting teenagers.”

The man knew this well too. Han Yeoreum’s L’Oreal interview was known even by Taiwanese people who didn’t watch K-dramas. Infinite goodwill poured out for overseas stars who loved their country.

“Taiwan was really a country I wanted to visit at least once. Taiwan feels like it will become my second home.”

‘Han Yeoreum…’

“<Secret That Cannot Be Told> is considered a masterpiece in Korea too. It’s the first movie that comes to mind when talking about Taiwanese sensibility.”

‘Han Yeoreum…’

“When it comes to youth, isn’t it Taiwan? The characteristic static long takes feel like they mean we regrettably let the most beautiful moments of life slip by without realizing them, focusing on inner flow…”

‘Han Yeoreum…’

Of course, the investors sitting here felt the same way. They had also read Yeoreum’s L’Oreal interview “I love you, Taiwan” with satisfaction.

Her value judgment was accurate, and her emotional judgment was clear. There was no reason to drag this out further.

“Then let’s proceed.”

Taiwan decided to proceed with investment in <The Great Garland> including broadcasting rights. Everything progressed quickly.

Upon hearing this news, Korean investors’ wallets opened again. The blocked funds flowed smoothly.

With this, <The Great Garland> became the first work to resume filming in the unprecedented situation of the Korean ban.

“Aaah! What is this! Really!”

“It’s all done now, don’t cry, don’t cry…”

“? What are you talking about. Director, you’re the one crying.”

“I was talking to myself…”

Writer An and Director Ja went wild looking at the revised filming schedule. After going wild for a while, they sat down in chairs, panting.

“What kind of divine luck is this. Ji Haebeom did something big…”

“Right. Ah, damn, I have to write Gi Taeseok really amazingly. Make it the strongest in Ji Haebeom’s filmography!”

The two giggled and clinked beer bottles, then gulped them down. The alcohol tasted sweet today.

“But it’s really fortunate. What if we had chosen that idol-turned-actor? More Chinese investment money would have come in than now.”

“Then the damage would have been enormous too… Hey, is that all? Taiwan probably pushed investment money generously not just for Ji Haebeom but also seeing Han Yeoreum.”

“Really? She’s still a green rookie.”

“She’s incredible in Taiwan these days. Even kids who like K-pop love her because she’s hosting a music show.”

The two who had been talking about Yeoreum looked at each other and grinned.

“I’m thinking 23.”

“Isn’t that too low? Try going higher.”

“Then 24.”

“Come on. It’s An Junmyeong and Ja Seokhwan doing it.”

Writer An slammed the empty beer bottle down on the table and said confidently.

“27.”

Writer An’s biggest hit boasted a 19% viewership rating. Writer An’s eyes were filled with conviction as she raised it by almost 10%.

* * *

<Dohwasuhn>’s trailer was released.

“Oh, Do Gyeoul’s work came out.”

Shin Rookie looked at the screen in admiration. The trailer was almost at the level of a photo book set against the palace.

Elegant gayageum melodies played. Under a wall where trumpet vines bloomed profusely. A young girl in a crimson jeogori appeared. Ok Jeong looked at the screen and smiled brightly. Then an incongruously cold voice followed.

-Are noble and base things truly decided from birth?

The misty sky was captured. The camera glided into the palace. Sukjong sitting on the throne was visible. The man dominating the golden glittering space spat out arrogant lines as if to show his noble status.

-Only I am heaven. I am your heaven.

The camera moved next to Sukjong, who was dressed in red robes. In front of a folding screen painted with ink wash paintings, a beautiful woman set down the tea cup she had been drinking from.

-….

Queen Inhyeon said nothing at all. Instead, she faced the camera with an emotionless gaze.

The scene rapidly alternated with the sound of percussion instruments like drumbeats.

The dizzily moving feet of court ministers, palace maids bowing their heads, trumpet creeper flowers dropping down one by one.

Below that wall, the harmonious scene of Ok Jeong and Sukjong embracing each other as they began their love.

However, at the same time, ominous music flowed that didn’t match the scene. The sorrowful sound of the geomungo seemed to hint at their fate.

<Dohwaseon>

First broadcast on May 1st.

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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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