Star Catch Headquarters.
Seo-ji (Sua Kim Sun-a)’s head was pounding as usual today.
“Team Leader Kim Sun-a! What should we write about this?”
“This is a huge scoop! We can’t miss it!”
Employees were shouting from all sides.
It was only natural. If we were to write an article about the rumored romance between Su-an Lee and Su-a Lee now, it would get explosive views.
This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Kim Sun-a wanted to rush in and write the article herself.
…If only Su-a wasn’t her friend.
[Su-a Special Mobile Unit]
[Seo-ji to Su-a: Can you answer now?]
[Seo-ji to Su-a: Even if you can’t, please take the call.]
[Seo-ji to Su-a: It’s really urgent!]
[Seo-ji to Su-a: We’re not dating, right!]
The employees looked anxiously at Kim Sun-a, but Su-a, the actual subject, remained silent.
It was unreasonable to outright refuse handling related articles; one would at least have to be a director to push that hard. Sun-a was still just a team leader.
“Team Leader, other companies are already writing furiously about it.”
“Honestly, even if we don’t confirm the relationship, just discussing the possibility should be fine, right?”
“Yeah. We can correct the report once the official statement from the agency is out.”
Just then.
Brrrrrrriiing—
A sudden phone call rang out.
Kim Sun-a sighed deeply and picked up the receiver.
My head is about to explode, but the more it does, the more important it is to answer the call since we never know when important information might come through.
“Yes, this is Team Leader Kim Sun-a from Star Catch.”
“It’s Kim I-seo from Mystic.”
“Yes, Director Kim. What is the matter…?”
However, Kim Sun-a couldn’t finish her sentence.
“Huh?”
She was simply surprised.
“Director… is that you?”
Kim Sun-a’s words caused the employees to hush.
Of course, with the rumor of a relationship between Su-an and Su-a just beginning to spread, a direct call from the director was as monumental as it gets.
Everyone’s hearing sharpened.
Kim I-Seo’s mind raced with numerous thoughts.
‘We haven’t published any articles yet. Is this about giving an official statement to Star Catch? That would be very kind of you.’
But,
Soon Kim Sun-a was surprised again.
“I’d like Star Catch to stir up a bit more attention for us.”
Her words were far beyond Kim I-Seo’s expectations.
A little later.
In a conference room inside an upscale café, several people were already seated, all wearing expressions of great anticipation.
“Here I am. Did I arrive too late?”
“No, not at all! Ms. Park Yu-mi, the screenwriter!”
“Park Yu-mi Screenwriter! We have been waiting for you!”
Everyone sprang to their feet and respectfully greeted her. After all, their tension was primarily due to Park Yu-mi.
“Is it your first time in Korea in a while? Are you glad to be back?”
“Eh, though my body was away, I was keeping up with the news here. Heard there have been some interesting developments in Korea’s entertainment industry.”
“Indeed, it’s been quite chaotic recently. Therefore, I heard you completed an amazing script while overseas?”
“Yeah. That chaebol drama I showed you before. That one.”
Park Yu-mi delivered the information in a light tone, causing everyone to bow down. That was to be expected since Park Yu-mi was one of the few top screenwriters who could be mentioned in the same breath as Lee Geum-sook.
“I’ve always admired Lee Geum-sook’s love for broadcasting stations, but I am different.”
Park Yu-mi spoke slowly.
“Overseas, Netflix has become very popular. It’s set to invade Korea soon, and I believe it’s best to seize the opportunity early. I want to try venturing into that market.”
“Exactly! With broadcasting dramas, you’ve already achieved everything possible. It’s time to try a new stage, and we’re truly grateful you chose us as your partners!”
Park Yu-mi shrugged.
“By now, Lee Geum-sook must be thrilled. The special mobile unit 808 really hit it big, right? It was quite entertaining. Someday, I might want to compete against her in the same time slot.”
And then she laughed.
“Let’s save that for next time. I see bigger possibilities with Netflix. I want to enter that industry first.”
“Yes! The possibilities are enormous! This is a challenge to expand the stage to the entire world, after all! Moreover, the script you sent us was solid! It perfectly captured the essence of chaebol dramas!”
“Don’t flatter me too much.”
“It’s the truth! Let’s discuss production now! The crews are almost all secured, and once we finalize casting, we can move forward rapidly.”
“Casting…?”
“Yes. Do you have any actresses in mind? For male actors, we have everything covered from the last meeting.”
The overall head smiled as she tapped the shoulder of the man sitting next to her several times.
“Or you can entrust the casting entirely to this person and focus on the script. He’s a great caddy who found all the excellent supporting actors for your last work.”
“I did have an actress in mind.”
Screenwriter Park Yu-mi took out a dossier from her bag.
It was a male actor’s profile.
“Ah, this person!”
“Kim Yu-han from Special Mobile Unit 808.”
It was none other than Lee Su-an’s profile.
Lee Su-an’s profile picture showed him with black hair, and some minor touch-ups had been applied to details like his jawline and eyes.
“This person’s acting is quite good.”
“That’s correct. He’s already a shoe-in for the rookie award.”
“Indeed, he’s very appealing, but it’s unfortunate as we’ve completed the casting for male actors. If he had appeared earlier, it would have been great.”
“Isn’t that the case. But we can’t just dismiss actors we’ve already contracted with.”
“So, about the female actors.”
Park Yu-mi screenwriter took out another sheet.
It was a white-haired newcomer, Su-a Lee.
The overall head reacted immediately.
“Ah, wasn’t this the person who won recently at the Short Film Festival?”
“That’s right. This person impressed me as well.”
“Hmm, is it okay? There’s been a dating scandal with Su-an, after all. Of course, we should await the official stance from the management, but still.”
“No.”
Screenwriter Park Yu-mi sternly shook her head.
“Even if there’s a record of such incidents, I intend to use this person.”
Everyone was very surprised, as it was quite an aggressive statement.
“This person’s mask suits the needs of my chaebol drama, plus she’s a good actor. Moreover, she’s a foreigner.”
“A foreigner? Ah, I remember seeing her in Japanese videos.”
“There are rumors that she speaks other languages well, and that’s a plus in any case. Our goal is to test the overseas response through Netflix, and including a foreign actor would be beneficial.”
“True, her image fits perfectly.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“The feeling that if water is sprinkled on her face, her body will burst into flames.”
“One slap and she’ll hit back with three.”
“A person who looks like they’d strangle someone with a pearl necklace.”
At that moment, the overall head rubbed his chin.
“By the way, I’ve heard that director Kim Jun-ki, who has fallen to the depths, also intended to cast Su-a Lee for similar reasons, but she firmly rejected him.”
“I’m offended to be compared with that trash.”
Screenwriter Park Yu-mi scoffed.
“That guy is making a chaebol drama just to feel some women’s buttocks, while I am a screenwriter dedicating everything to this genre.”
“True, that’s right. We’ll quickly handle the casting.”
The overall head nodded.
“Since nothing has happened for her since the Short Film Festival, we’ll move swiftly thanks to your reputation as a screenwriter. Of course, any actor would crave an overseas debut.”
“Exactly.”
Screenwriter Park Yu-mi nodded in agreement.
“Participating in my work will make anyone envious, even the real chaebols.”
At the same time, in Lee Geum-sook’s studio.
Ta-da-da-dak!
The sound of typing filled the room.
An assistant screenwriter, Hong Ye-ji, was diligently working.
Everyone watching this young woman marveled.
“Wow, Sister Ye-ji is so cool…”
“How does her concentration never waver?”
“I really want to be like her…”
Meanwhile, on Hong Ye-ji’s laptop,
[Shitshitshitshitshit…]
The screen was filled with curses.
Hong Ye-ji momentarily reflected on her life.
“How did my life end up like this?”
It all started with her friend’s persuasion.
“Really? You can order as much delivery food as you want?”
Upon arrival, it turned out to be Lee Geum-sook’s studio. She had been assigned to correct typos in exchange for eating delivery food.
So, up until then things were fine.
It was like a honey-filled part-time job. That’s how she thought of it.
But then,
“Ye-ji, watching how you work made me think you’re really efficient. From now on, I want you to also handle data research and error checking. I’ll give you extra money. It’s not that you appeared out of nowhere, right?”
Before she knew it, she had become a full-fledged assistant screenwriter.
That wasn’t bad either.
It felt like a job you could quit anytime.
However,
“Ye-ji, did you change this content?”
“Ah?”
One day, while dozing off and changing the content of the draft script, things went awry. Trying to handle too many stories at once, she mixed them all together.
It turned out to be a highly important drama script.
Hong Ye-ji was ready to be slapped that day. However,
“Ye-ji! This is good!”
“Huh?”
Once that happened, there was no turning back. Before she knew it, she was at her current position, leading other assistant screenwriters. Why?
“My dream was never to become a screenwriter…”
Although Hong Ye-ji didn’t have a clear lifelong goal, she certainly didn’t aspire to be a writer.
It didn’t fit her talents at all.
Thus, Hong Ye-ji’s current wish was this.
“I want to go home. I want to quit. Everyone go away, please…”
That day, she had decided to quit her job. She also prepared an infallible plan to do so.
Just then, screenwriter Lee Geum-sook entered the studio.
“Our diligent Ye-ji. Were you writing again?”
“Yes, it’s completed.”
“Your responses are like those from a machine. You’re so composed. Ye-ji is at least a decisive writer.”
“Thank you.”
“While I think about it, you remind me of Su-a. Firm personality and impressive work skills.”
“…Su-a would consider it an enormous inconvenience.”
It was not modesty but sincerity.
‘That woman is insanely strong! Talented in reality as well! I’m just lucky. The world is wrong. Why am I being treated like this?’
At the same time, she reaffirmed her determination.
‘No matter what, I’ll quit today. Definitely.’
Lee Geum-sook asked,
“Ye-ji, are you ready for me to look at the completed script? I gave you a great opportunity, didn’t I? Of course, you must have worked hard on it.”
“Of course. Please take a look.”
“I’m looking forward to it. Netflix or whatever is about to invade Korea soon, so I want my disciple to sweep them away. Ye-ji can do it.”
Meanwhile, Hong Ye-ji was smirking internally.
“Read it fast. You won’t be able to handle it unless you fire me. After all, I filled it with utterly ridiculous content.”
After an unknown amount of time had passed,
Lee Geum-sook and other writers began to show peculiar expressions.
Finally, Lee Geum-sook spoke.
“Ye-ji.”
“Yes.”
“What is this?”
“It’s the script I put my all into.”
“The protagonist, an ordinary salaryman, goes to find a chaebol family’s youngest daughter to marry?”
“Yes.”
“Until here, it’s fine. It’s fine until here…”
Suddenly, Lee Geum-sook’s expression went blank.
“…Why does it involve a rap battle suddenly? Why does the protagonist convince his in-laws this way? Moreover, the in-laws win?”
“Because it is absolutely necessary.”
Meanwhile, the faces of other assistant writers grew even paler.
“Um, screenwriter Lee, you should check the later parts as well…”
“Why?”
“Though the hero manages to marry in the end, the chaebol family’s youngest daughter suddenly wakes up with a status window. A power-up ability.”
“A status window? What status window?”
“She uses her wealth to power up her husband and child but fails, causing them to explode. From there, they begin a journey to restore it, wielding a sword…”
“…”
Silence.
“…”
Complete silence.
The studio quickly fell silent.
Hong Ye-ji was giggling internally.
“Perfect. My life as a screenwriter ends here.”
However,
An unexpected event unfolded.
“Hmm, since this is targeting an overseas audience, such attempts might work? It seems fairly innovative to me as well…”
“Absolutely. Given the content, it might be something only Ye-ji could write.”
“Let’s try it once, even if it is taking a risk.”
“…”
Hong Ye-ji was bewildered.
At the same time, cold sweat began to pour down her forehead. They were actually planning to produce this ridiculous script?
That simply wouldn’t do. Of course, there mustn’t be anyone willing to participate in this absurd project, but if someone did, it would be a catastrophe for the production team.
Hong Ye-ji just wanted to quit her job.
Writer Lee Geum-sook tapped Hong Ye-ji’s shoulder.
“Our styles are too different, so I can’t really teach you much. I can only support you, Ye-ji.”
“Yes, yes?”
“Still, let’s try making it once. Your first script would give the Netflix team a good impression, right? Korean dramas should co-exist with their arrival.”
“Are you saying… producing this script?”
Her hands trembled as she kept them in her pocket. Her mind was racing furiously.
Then, opportunistically, Lee Geum-sook asked,
“Since this is a Netflix-supported project, the production budget is immensely ample. Do you have any actors in mind? You can choose anyone regardless of their fee. Wow, Ye-ji has become quite the industry insider. Choose actors for your debut too.”
That’s when a lightbulb went off in Hong Ye-ji’s head.
“Su-a, Su-a, Su-a.”
She muttered just one name repeatedly and urgently.
“Su-a, Su-a.”
“Su-a?”
“Yes, Su-a. I won’t proceed without Su-a.”
Hong Ye-ji heaved a sigh of relief.
“Su-a is famously discerning, isn’t she?”
A ray of hope in the darkness. Finally, she had found her answer.
“No way would she accept my work. She’ll tear the script to shreds right before everyone’s eyes. Then, I’ll pretend to be devastated and quit writing. Perfect.”
Persuasive voices started pouring out from all sides.
“Ye-ji, Su-a might be…”
“Recently, she’s quite busy and…”
“Besides, she’s quite picky. It might be too challenging for a newcomer like you.”
“No! I won’t do it without Su-a!”
Hong Ye-ji’s eyes blazed.
“I won’t proceed without Su-a. Otherwise, I won’t do it.”
Finally, Lee Geum-sook nodded.
“Deciding to choose a specific actor shows spirit. To become a great writer, that kind of ambition is necessary. But it’s too tough an opponent. The casting probability is low…”
She sighed deeply, patting Hong Ye-ji’s shoulder.
“Still, I’ll give it a shot. Understood.”
.
.
.
Later, after returning home,
“Kya-hahaha!”
Hong Ye-ji began to go wild with excitement.
Finally, she was free.
She even performed a backflip on her bed due to the overwhelming joy.
“Freedom! I’m finally free!”
There was one day left until Su-a’s selection.
