As I had anticipated, the company decided to fully invest in this project.
The source of funding is Heavenly Financial.
There are two investment firms related to Flame; one is Sunny Investment, and the other is Heavenly Financial.
As the name suggests, Sunny Investment is likely connected to the S&M side, and Heavenly Financial is a company personally managed by Heavenly Yuah. If Heavenly Financial decided to invest fully, it ultimately means it was Heavenly Yuah’s decision.
Is she planning to handle everything by herself?
It seems our Heavenly Demon has a tight bond with money these days.
“The production will be handled by Phoenix Studio.”
“Ah, Phoenix.”
While Heavenly Yuah and I, along with Yang Yuli, were wrestling with the script, the production company had already been decided.
It’s Phoenix Studio.
Not the top in Korea, but still one of the top three reliable production companies.
I’ve also heard many investors prefer them because of their meticulous work.
Above all, Phoenix Studio owns the largest set from the late Joseon period in Korea.
Although the setting of this story isn’t exactly from the late Joseon era, it’s easier to use an existing set rather than build a new one from scratch.
We will still need to add a considerable amount of CG for the steampunk elements, but building a completely new set would take too much time.
“Also, we have decided to build a separate set in Taebaek for the mine scenes. There’s no way around it.”
Still, we couldn’t avoid building a set altogether. Because there are quite a few scenes set in a mine, we’ve chosen to build the set in Taebaek.
Taebaek was chosen because its atmosphere somewhat resembles Mount Un in North Korea.
Actually, these kinds of things are tasks the production crew handles, not something I need to concern myself with.
What I should be concerned about is who will be directing the drama.
The quality of the work can greatly vary depending on who directs it.
“Who will be the PD for this?”
“Ah, that’s still undecided, but it looks like Director Bang Jin-gyu is the most likely candidate.”
“Hmm…”
“Have you not heard of him?”
“I think I have, but it feels unfamiliar.”
“Of course, it does. He hasn’t been active for a few years. Do you remember ‘The Iron City’?”
“The Iron City… isn’t that a movie?”
“That’s what I told you. He’s the director.”
“Oh, I see…”
With the film industry entering a slump, it’s not uncommon for film directors to move into the drama industry.
Especially with the OTT originals, which are often pre-produced in environments that are not much different from making films.
I assume Director Bang Jin-gyu moved into TV dramas for similar reasons.
“With ‘The Iron City’… definitely.”
I vaguely remember ‘The Iron City.’
It was a movie with stylish action scenes that left quite an impression. Since our drama relies heavily on action scenes, I think Director Bang Jin-gyu would be a good fit.
And given that ‘The Iron City’ was a cyberpunk film, which like steampunk, is a subgenre of science fiction, I think he’d be a better choice than a PD who’s never handled SF works before.
SF isn’t a common genre, and there aren’t many PDs with experience in it.
It seems Phoenix has put some thought into their pick.
“However, it seems he keeps turning it down.”
“Turning it down? You mean he doesn’t want to direct this project? Why?”
“Apparently, he doesn’t feel the vibe. The producers at Phoenix seem equally troubled.”
“Are there no other PDs available?”
“Others are available, but Bang Jin-gyu is the best choice.”
“True, given the scale of this production, it’s best if a good candidate takes the job.”
“So, they’re quite worried about it now.”
Though he’s directed a cyberpunk film, which indicates he might have an interest in similar genres, why is he turning this project down?
It’s not as if he’s only a cyberpunk director and refuses to handle steampunk, is it?
If he were such a specialist, he wouldn’t have moved from filmmaking to TV dramas in the first place.
“By the way, did you know this director shoots action really well? Maybe he’s an action master?”
Out of curiosity about the news that Director Bang Jin-gyu might be reluctant to take this project, I revisited his old movie, ‘The Iron City.’
I’ve changed a lot since then, so the movie felt quite different now. What had seemed lackluster back then now appeared impressive, and I could understand why people praised it so much.
Given my character’s role in the drama, where action is a key element, I couldn’t help but pay attention to this part.
“Hey? Father? Yes, Father.”
Just as I was thinking Director Bang Jin-gyu might be capable, Father called.
Father doesn’t usually contact me unless necessary for fear he might distract me, so I wondered what the matter was.
I tilted my head in puzzlement as I answered the call.
“Son! Is it true you’re working on a new project?”
“Yes, it does seem that way.”
“Man, I’m hurt! Why didn’t I hear about my son’s new project from you first?”
He’s hurt that I didn’t tell him about this new project first.
But it’s not like production has officially started yet, so where did he hear this?
“What? Nothing is really set in stone yet. Where did you hear this?”
“Chansoo mentioned it. He dropped by my store just now.”
“Oh, Uncle Chansoo?”
Now that you mention it, there is Uncle Chansoo.
Uncle Chansoo introduced me to PD Yoo Myung-woo, and he currently works at Phoenix.
When he heard about the production of our drama at Phoenix, I guess he hurried to inform Father right away.
Uncle Chansoo truly moves fast.
Since the production still has a ways to go, I planned to tell Father slowly. But now…
“Is Uncle Chansoo with you right now?”
“Yes, he is.”
Uncle Chansoo is well-known for his kindness, so he must have many close friends in the industry.
Naturally, he must be acquainted with Director Bang Jin-gyu as well.
Since this is the case, I might as well ask Uncle Chansoo a bit about Director Bang Jin-gyu.
Although I wonder if it’s necessary for me, as an actor, to delve into such details. Still, the better the better, right? I might as well find out why Director Bang Jin-gyu is turning down the project.
After all, I should know this before deciding whether to convince him or let him go.
Although his directing appeals to me, I can’t afford to linger here forever.
“Ah, Director Bang? I know him. From what I heard, he might as well be the final internal choice? He’s not a bad guy, just a bit particular.”
“Really? But I heard he doesn’t want to take the project.”
“Ah, is that so? That’s surprising. He usually likes to take on work. If there’s a reason, it could be…”
Uncle Chansoo told me that Director Bang Jin-gyu is the kind of director who highly depends on inspiration, which is typical of an artistic director.
A director who relies on inspiration to begin shooting?
Moreover, on the actors’ side, this tendency is even stronger. He never uses actors who don’t ‘feel right’ to him.
“If the problem is with the actors… does it boil down to me again?”
Outside of casting issues, Director Bang Jin-gyu is fairly straightforward. If he’s rejecting the project, then it’s likely an issue with the actors.
Since Heavenly Yuah is a widely preferred actress by most directors, the only one who could cause any problems is me, the main actor.
If that’s so, it would have been better if they suggested a casting and audition session.
“Ah, Director Bang is a bit timid. His last project didn’t go well. He’s not the type who can casually demand things from actors who are brought in with investors; the situation isn’t good, so I suspect he’s just quietly suffering.”
“So that’s how it is?”
Though Director Bang is known for his dynamic action scenes, his personality seems to be quite different.
Well, if that’s the case, I have no other choice but to show him.
Since he’s an action master, if I can demonstrate action scenes that get his inspiration bubbling up, it should be fine, right?
Since actors are his only concern, this actually seems to work out well.
This implies that with the right actor who can inspire him, he might perform even better than usual.
People like this are often that way. When they’re engaged, their efficiency skyrockets, but when their mood falls, they can’t be as effective.
Judging from the atmosphere, he’ll probably end up taking this project, even if unwillingly. However, it would be better to proceed in a way that he can start happily.
“What are you doing now?”
“I’m going to shoot a video for the director. It seems he tends to be picky about actors.”
“I see? What will you shoot?”
“It’s Lee Myung, so wouldn’t it be about swordsmanship? Since he’s an action expert, I’m sure this is what the director is most concerned about.”
“Ah, good idea. Go ahead.”
After finishing the call with Father, I immediately went to the practice room.
Even the camera used for acting practice was brought in, and somehow, Heavenly Yuah came to the practice room as well.
When I told her I would shoot an acting video to send to the director, her curiosity sparked, and she grabbed a spot to watch.
Heavenly Yuah probably hasn’t personally witnessed my action scenes.
Through various incidents, she likely assumes I can handle action well, but it’s a different matter to see it with one’s own eyes.
Hm, looks like I need to put some effort into this.
“Huff…”
Casual sportswear. In one hand, a regular umbrella.
I didn’t prepare any props on purpose because I think it’ll come across as more stimulating this way.
If the director sees that impressive action scenes are possible even with no preparation, he’ll be dying to use that actor in his full glory—imagine how awesome the actor would look with proper costumes and props.
No director could resist such thoughts.
With an outfit that didn’t hint at any action scenes, I slowly swung the umbrella.
Of course, Mount Hua’s sword style is the king in this case.
The essence of Mount Hua’s sword is speed (快), illusion (幻), and gentleness (柔).
Mount Hua’s sword, unmatched in appearance, is the perfect style for the early part of the drama, where Lee Myung embodies a noble and aristocratic character.
By smoothly connecting moves like Moxiang Manli (梅香萬里), Jixue Shanghua (積雪上花), and Meihua Wanbian Xing (梅花萬變行), I completed my first sword dance.
“Huff…”
After completing the first section, I adjusted the pace.
In the mid-season, Lee Myung becomes a hitman (殺客) driven by revenge.
To depict this, I linked together various moves from the Jinma Tuo Hun Jian (眞魔奪魂劍), a basic technique from the New Religion, creating a new sword dance.
Like Mount Hua’s sword, Jinma Tuo Hun Jian emphasizes speed (快) and illusion (幻), making its techniques somewhat similar in feel to Mount Hua’s moves.
However, the momentum and killing intent of Jinma Tuo Hun Jian are extremely intense.
Even without much internal energy, the aura of the sword moves felt quite menacing.
This setup comparing Lee Myung’s early and late characters—Mount Hua’s sword versus the New Religion’s sword—is the perfect way to demonstrate the contrast.
“Oh, this is more than just good, isn’t it?”
“Really?”
“Yes, to be honest… I’m quite impressed.”
By the time I completed two different types of swordplay, Heavenly Yuah, watching from the side, was honestly impressed.
Wow.
Heavenly Demon was amazed by my swordsmanship?
Of course, I know that’s not entirely true, but watching her genuine awe feels like receiving praise from the real Heavenly Demon.
This is actually very rare.
And I have to admit, it feels pretty good.
