Chapter 157

Lottery.

There’s no way anyone wouldn’t be intrigued. Everyone immediately showed interest.

“Lottery? Did you just say lottery?”

“Yeah. Of course, it’s not a real lottery, but you know what I mean.”

Director Ko Tae-min smiled as he began to explain.

“Let me tell you, this is an absolutely amazing opportunity. In reality, it’s practically no different from winning the lottery. You might as well consider yourself already a winner.”

“Hmm?”

The atmosphere was filled with confusion.

“Are you Ko Tae-min? Ko Tae-min saying this?”

“The guy who calls his own works trash is suddenly talking like this?”

The reason was simple. He who belittled even his own works as garbage was now talking like this, referring to it as a “winning lottery.” Naturally, it piqued the curiosity of the members of the group.

“Hey, how big is this thing that you’re talking about?”

“Massive. Enormous.”

“Then can I take a look at this thing you’re talking about?”

“Ah, no, give it to me!”

“I’m beginning to get interested too?”

Naturally, their curiosity grew, and the more interested they became, the wider Director Ko Tae-min’s smile grew.

“But it’s not something anyone can just take. You need a coin to scratch a lottery ticket, right? It’s similar here.”

“What? What exactly do you need?”

“There’s a need for someone who can handle the fantasy or SF genre. Anyone among you feel confident?”

“Fantasy or SF…”

Most directors’ interest waned at this point.

Fantasy, which is about giving plausibility to the impossible, and SF, which is about making the improbable vivid, are widely considered the most difficult genres to handle. Naturally, directing them is also tough.

Therefore, very few people could tackle them.

“…”

Not long after, all eyes fell on one person. It was a man whose face was flushed red, having downed bottles of alcohol.

His long mustache and beard stood out. If Guan Yu from Romance of the Three Kingdoms were to appear, it would probably be something like this.

Guan Yu-like, his eyes narrowed sharply.

“…Why are you all looking at me?”

“Why ask? Here, handling the direction of fantasy or SF is only your expertise. It’s only natural.”

Ko Tae-min grinned then.

“Director Kim Young-gon, would you like to grab this lottery?”

But the man himself shook his head.

“Lottery or not, I have no interest in that.”

“You can toss it away after you receive it. My role is only to pass it along. What you do with it is up to you.”

Thereafter, Ko Tae-min handed over nothing but a single business card.

…

…

…

…

The drinking session at the guild came to an end.

“Did you call a taxi?”

“I called it a while ago! You take care getting home!”

While everyone was exchanging pleasantries, one director, Park Jun, was especially popular.

Park Jun, who took charge of the short film Sword, became everyone’s topic.

“Director Park! I saw your recent article!”

“Is there another article out?”

“Of course! The internet’s going crazy!”

“Hahaha, these days, I don’t pay attention to every single thing…”

Park Jun’s laughter carried a sense of ease that was entirely new. This was a complete departure from his previous demeanor, a reality no one could have imagined. No one had expected him to make a comeback as he tumbled down from the top.

But just look at the internet now.

[Director Park Jun of the short film Sword stages a miraculous comeback from the edge.]

This year’s Busan International Short Film Festival drew an unprecedented amount of interest, naturally generating significant attention toward Director Park. After all, he was the one who walked away with the award.

That wasn’t all.

[Is Mi-das Touch Su-a? The Power to Revive Even Fallen Directors? Director Park says “Honestly, I can’t deny it.”]

[Netflix’s Korea OTT launch featuring the short film Sword. Is a flood of love calls for Director Park inevitable?]

The connection with Netflix’s Korean landing and being linked to Su-a, the hottest upcoming star, elevated his status. His life had indeed changed.

“Actually, I’d love to see Su-a act live. Can I meet her someday? Would it be too much to ask?”

“Yeah! We should connect before she gets even more famous!”

“I understand. I’ll do my best when the right opportunity comes…”

And…

“…”

The Guan Yu-like figure Director Kim Young-gon watched the heartwarming scene from afar. He did not approach.

“…Sigh.”

Eventually, he sighed deeply without saying goodbye and left.

His steps were heavy.

…

…

…

…

The next day.

These days, Director Kim Young-gon’s mood had hit rock bottom.

Even when he was receiving offers, it was the same.

An excited voice came through the phone.

“Director Kim Young-gon, wouldn’t this intrigue you? The budget is substantial. All we need is for you to direct it…”

“Uh.”

“To be honest, Korean fantasy films are almost as rare as a drought, and you, Director Kim Young-gon, are one of the few people we can rely on to get things moving. So, I beg you. I humbly ask for your help.”

Kim Young-gon pondered for a moment.

“I apologize. It might be better if I don’t take it.”

“Excuse me? Excuse me? Director Kim?”

“The script doesn’t appeal to me.”

Director Kim Young-gon firmly rejected the offer.

“Director Kim! Wait! Director Kim!”

“Sorry, I’m done.”

He hung up without a second thought despite the other party’s obvious anxiety.

“Hmph.”

After the call ended, Kim Young-gon blankly stared out the window. The yellow traffic light was blinking at that moment.

“I feel like that yellow light is my life right now.”

Kim Young-gon evaluated himself like this.

—♫♪

The phone was still ringing. It was yet another offer, this time from a different company.

There was no worry of starving; his reputation was decent. It wasn’t a red light situation. But since he couldn’t find a project he truly wanted to work on, it certainly wasn’t green either—just yellow.

Kim Young-gon recalled the drinking session from last night.

“Director Park, I’m envious. I’m so envious…”

He was envious. That’s why he kept drinking last night, and it’s also why he didn’t greet Park.

Inferiority complex? Maybe. But what could he do if he was jealous to the point of madness?

“I’d like to direct a script I’m passionate about. And if there was an actor who could perfectly bring it to life, how wonderful would that be? Just once…”

Kim Young-gon had directed countless projects so far, but very few were ones he had genuinely taken to heart. He did them because they were lucrative.

However, the situation was different now.

He had earned enough money and desired to do something that excited him.

“…Lottery.”

At that moment, the business card given by Director Ko Tae-min came to mind.

Kim Young-gon hesitated before making the call. ‘Lottery’—the deeper his worries, the more attractive the word became. And he was currently exhausted.

The call connected shortly.

“This is Ko Tae-min speaking. Who’s this?”

“This is Kim Young-gon. I’m a director.”

“Kim Young-gon… Kim Young-gon…”

A moment later, the person on the line sounded surprised.

“Huh? Is this Director Kim Young-gon? Is it you yourself?”

“Yes. Director Ko Tae-min gave me your card.”

“Aaa! The one who resembles Guan Yu! I see! Um, did Director Ko Tae-min explain anything to you?”

“Not yet. I haven’t heard anything.”

Kim Young-gon ignored the Guan Yu comment and replied.

“Ah, I see. Then I’ll explain everything from the beginning. First, I work for Netflix.”

“Netflix? Oh, the OTT platform that’s just landed in Korea?”

“Exactly. By chance, Director Kim, have you seen any of the recent articles? We’re planning an 8-episode series written by Writer Lee Geum-sook and starring Hong Ye-ji. It’s meant to be our flagship work.”

“…This is the first I’m hearing of it.”

Kim Young-gon shook his head.

These days, he had no time to read articles. To begin with, he was too depressed all day for such things to catch his eye.

“I see. Well, we’re at a point where the casting and the script are mostly settled; we just haven’t found a director to helm the work yet. If it’s Director Kim, we’d be thrilled.”

“Hmm…”

Kim Young-gon couldn’t help but frown.

Here we go again.

But then…

“This is going to be a hero movie, right? It’s like we’re gathering all the best heroes.”

“…”

Kim Young-gon mulled over the words he had just heard.

“…Su-a?”

He was startled a beat later.

“You just mentioned Su-a as the lead, right?”

“Yes, alongside Seo-jung. The casting lineup is already strong. In fact, the script’s not bad either. Writer Hong does impressive work. Could you take a look at it?”

“Yes. Please send it to me.”

After hanging up, Kim Young-gon thought to himself.

‘Ko Tae-min emphasized this was lottery material, and for good reason. A Netflix flagship series with Su-a and Seo-jong as the leads? And just as it happens, the genres are fantasy and SF?’

After reviewing the script thoroughly…

“…”

Kim Young-gon promptly called the person in charge.

“Let’s set a meeting. I’ll come immediately.”

Almost like Guan Yu finding the Green Dragon Crescent Blade.

◈◈◈◈◈

A week later.

Su-a woke up early under duress.

“Ungh…grrr…”

Too sleepy. All kinds of noises came out of her mouth. Sleeping too little and waking up too early—she couldn’t get used to that no matter how many times it happened. She wanted to sleep more…

Su-a wanted to be a sloth or a panda. She just wanted to eat and relax all day. Su-a the idler.

After making some preparations, Su-a climbed into a waiting van and headed to Mystic Headquarters.

“Su-a, you’re here?”

As soon as she entered the building, Kim I-seo greeted her.

Su-a gave a slight nod.

“Representative, you changed your hairpins?”

“…You noticed? I’m touched.”

Su-a thought to herself. With those big hairpins, two of them, how could anyone not notice? The staff probably all knew but just didn’t bring it up.

At that moment, Kim I-seo handed her a paper bag.

“Here, let me give you a little something.”

“Gift?”

Su-a peeked inside the bag. She immediately guessed what it was. It was the script, wasn’t it?

“This is Director Yusaku’s script. Yakuza.”

Su-a thought, Oh, right. There was that too. She had completely forgotten. Yeah, Yakuza Su-a!

But that wasn’t the end of the news.

Kim I-seo took the lead.

“Take some time to read the script, and let’s go ahead first.”

“Ah, yes. Today’s schedule should be…”

“That’s correct.”

With her head halfway turned, Kim I-seo gave a small smile.

“We have a ‘Lies, Lies, Lies’ sh**t. Let’s go see Yeon-joo.”

Ah, right, Su-a remembered. Today was the sh**t for “Lies, Lies, Lies.” She suddenly felt all the sleepiness leave her. It was really time to find the answers now.

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